NameCensus.

UK surname

Voisey

A surname of English origin denoting someone from a place of that name.

In the 1881 census there were 316 people recorded with the Voisey surname, ranking it #9,375 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 540, ranked #9,422, down from #9,375 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Cullompton and Bedminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, Neath Port Talbot and North Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Voisey is 583 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 70.9%.

1881 census count

316

Ranked #9,375

Modern count

540

2016, ranked #9,422

Peak year

1999

583 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Voisey had 316 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,375 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 540 in 2016, ranked #9,422.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 521 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Voisey surname distribution map

The map shows where the Voisey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Voisey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Voisey over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 225 #9,509
1861 historical 217 #11,220
1881 historical 316 #9,375
1891 historical 376 #9,319
1901 historical 458 #8,593
1911 historical 521 #7,593
1997 modern 558 #8,562
1998 modern 563 #8,758
1999 modern 583 #8,605
2000 modern 566 #8,744
2001 modern 545 #8,859
2002 modern 556 #8,909
2003 modern 564 #8,679
2004 modern 538 #9,003
2005 modern 538 #8,933
2006 modern 518 #9,232
2007 modern 519 #9,300
2008 modern 513 #9,454
2009 modern 541 #9,279
2010 modern 547 #9,399
2011 modern 553 #9,228
2012 modern 540 #9,312
2013 modern 535 #9,549
2014 modern 543 #9,497
2015 modern 536 #9,517
2016 modern 540 #9,422

Geography

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Where Voiseys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Cullompton, Bedminster, London parishes and Millom, Muncaster. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, Neath Port Talbot and North Somerset. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Cullompton Devon
3 Bedminster Somerset
4 London parishes London 3
5 Millom, Muncaster Cumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 017 Teignbridge
2 Neath Port Talbot 014 Neath Port Talbot
3 North Somerset 004 North Somerset
4 Teignbridge 009 Teignbridge
5 Neath Port Talbot 018 Neath Port Talbot

Forenames

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First names often paired with Voisey

These lists show first names that appear often with the Voisey surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Voisey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Voisey, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Voisey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Voisey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Voisey is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Voisey is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Voisey falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Voisey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Voisey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Voisey

The surname Voisey has its origins in Normandy, France, and can be traced back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "voisin," meaning "neighbor" or "one who lives nearby." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived near a particular landmark or in a specific location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Voisin," which was a common spelling variation at the time.

During the Middle Ages, the Voisey family established roots in various parts of England, with branches in counties such as Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset. In the 13th century, records show a William Voisey holding lands in the village of Steeple Langford, Wiltshire.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Sir John Voisey (c. 1320-1387), a distinguished soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. He was knighted for his valor on the battlefield and later served as a member of Parliament.

Another prominent individual was Thomas Voisey (c. 1470-1538), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Lyme Regis, Dorset. He played a significant role in the town's governance and was instrumental in the construction of the local church.

In the 16th century, the Voisey family had a strong presence in the village of Mere, Wiltshire. One of their ancestral homes, known as Voisey's Court, was a prominent manor house that still stands today.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Captain John Voisey (c. 1610-1678) fought on the Parliamentarian side and was commended for his bravery at the Battle of Naseby in 1645.

Throughout the centuries, the Voisey surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Voysee, Voysey, and Voisay, reflecting the fluidity of English orthography during those times. These variations often corresponded to regional dialects or personal preferences.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Voisey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Voisey surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 55 Voiseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.26x.

County Total Index
Somerset 55 11.26x
Devon 45 7.13x
Middlesex 44 1.45x
Glamorgan 22 4.17x
Gloucestershire 21 3.53x
Warwickshire 19 2.48x
Wiltshire 14 5.22x
Yorkshire 14 0.47x
Cumberland 13 4.98x
Lancashire 12 0.33x
Surrey 11 0.74x
Essex 10 1.67x
Hampshire 9 1.45x
Derbyshire 7 1.47x
Cornwall 6 1.75x
Northumberland 3 0.66x
Dorset 2 1.00x
Herefordshire 2 1.61x
Kent 2 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cullompton in Devon leads with 18 Voiseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 652.17x.

Place Total Index
Cullompton 18 652.17x
Millom 13 162.50x
Swindon 13 62.47x
Hackney London 12 7.06x
Llandaff 12 68.30x
Weston Super Mare 12 97.32x
Poplar London 11 19.21x
Wellington 11 166.16x
Prittlewell 10 120.48x
Bristol St Michael 9 176.47x
Camberwell 9 4.64x
Southampton St Mary 9 23.02x
Birmingham 7 2.75x
Dartmouth St Savior 7 933.33x
Glossop Dale 7 31.47x
Shipley 7 44.87x
Aston 6 2.85x
Cardiff St John 6 34.78x
Old Stratford 6 138.57x
Street 6 227.27x
Withington 6 51.72x
Antony 5 150.60x
Bedminster 5 10.90x
Hornsey 5 13.03x
St George In East 5 24.24x
Westbury On Trym 5 24.80x
Finchley 4 34.39x
Holy Trinity 4 5.53x
Taunton St James 4 56.18x
West Cranmore 4 1333.33x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 5.36x
Clitheroe 3 28.33x
Cramlington 3 50.34x
Plymouth Charles The 3 10.78x
St Marylebone London 3 1.85x
Toxteth Park 3 2.46x
Wells St Cuthbert 3 90.09x
Westbury 3 483.87x
Bradninch 2 112.36x
Bristol St Paul In 2 12.62x
Bromley 2 12.67x
East Stonehouse 2 16.08x
Idle 2 14.35x
Lidford 2 70.42x
Llanwonno 2 10.54x
Milverton 2 111.11x
Ross 2 40.40x
Taunton St Mary 2 22.32x
Ashton 1 500.00x
Bermondsey 1 1.11x
Blackawton 1 90.91x
Brixham 1 13.66x
Cheltenham 1 2.18x
Clifton 1 3.32x
Egg Buckland 1 92.59x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 6.92x
Exminster 1 44.05x
Glastonbury 1 25.06x
High Ham 1 86.21x
Holcombe Rogus 1 131.58x
Islington London 1 0.34x
Kensington London 1 0.59x
Lambeth 1 0.38x
Lamerton 1 83.33x
Liskeard 1 17.39x
Marlborough St Mary Virgin 1 52.91x
Paddington London 1 0.90x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.06x
Portland 1 9.34x
Roath 1 4.17x
Ryme Instrinsica 1 476.19x
South Brent 1 73.53x
Soyland 1 27.70x
St George Hanover 1 2.53x
Tiverton 1 9.19x
Wells St Cuthbert In 1 133.33x
Ystradyfodwg 1 2.16x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Voisey surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Voisey surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 23
John 17
George 10
Richard 9
Thomas 9
James 8
Henry 7
Walter 6
Alfred 4
Arthur 4
Charles 4
Willie 4
Albert 3
Edwin 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Chas.H. 2
Ebenezer 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Fredk. 2
Harry 2
Joshua 2
Louis 2
Matthew 2
Robert 2
Auther 1
Bertrude 1
Caleb 1
Chas 1
Christopher 1
Clement 1
Edgar 1
Edwd. 1
Harold 1
Hendry 1
Herbert 1
Jno. 1
Nicholas 1
Sam 1
Sidney 1
Simon 1
Sydney 1
Theophilus 1
Victor 1
Vincent 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Voisey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Voisey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 316 people were recorded with the Voisey surname. That placed it at #9,375 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Voisey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 540 in 2016. That gives Voisey a modern rank of #9,422.

What does the Voisey surname mean?

A surname of English origin denoting someone from a place of that name.

What does the Voisey map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Voisey bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.