NameCensus.

UK surname

Vorster

A South African surname derived from the Dutch word "voorsitter" meaning chairman or president.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Vorster surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 170, ranked #21,801, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Hertfordshire, Merton and South Hams.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vorster is 196 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16900.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

170

2016, ranked #21,801

Peak year

2010

196 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vorster had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 170 in 2016, ranked #21,801.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Vorster surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vorster surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vorster 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 28 #34,904
1998 modern 32 #34,633
1999 modern 51 #32,940
2000 modern 52 #32,916
2001 modern 53 #32,674
2002 modern 85 #29,867
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 117 #25,448
2005 modern 150 #21,786
2006 modern 162 #20,886
2007 modern 179 #19,811
2008 modern 186 #19,524
2009 modern 189 #19,727
2010 modern 196 #19,698
2011 modern 185 #20,288
2012 modern 162 #22,078
2013 modern 160 #22,621
2014 modern 160 #22,824
2015 modern 161 #22,599
2016 modern 170 #21,801

Geography

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Where Vorsters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Hertfordshire, Merton, South Hams, Southwark and Redbridge. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Hertfordshire 005 North Hertfordshire
2 Merton 003 Merton
3 South Hams 002 South Hams
4 Southwark 001 Southwark
5 Redbridge 002 Redbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vorster

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vorster

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Vorster, 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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Vorster surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Vorster household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Vorster is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Vorster is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Vorster falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Vorster is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Vorster

The surname Vorster is of Dutch origin, emerging in the 17th century. It is derived from the Dutch word "voorste," meaning "foremost" or "front," suggesting that the name may have originally referred to someone living at the front of a village or settlement.

The earliest recorded instances of the Vorster surname can be traced back to the Netherlands, particularly in regions like Friesland and Groningen. Some of the first documented mentions of the name appear in Dutch church records and municipal registers from the late 1600s.

In the 18th century, the Vorster name began to spread beyond the Netherlands, with some bearers migrating to other parts of Europe and later to colonies in South Africa and other Dutch settlements around the world. One notable early figure was Jacobus Vorster (1685-1745), a Dutch merchant who established a successful trading company in Amsterdam.

As the name traveled, it underwent minor variations in spelling, such as Voorster, Foerster, and Forster. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and regional pronunciations.

In South Africa, where a significant number of Vorsters settled, the name gained prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries. One of the most famous individuals with this surname was Balthazar Johannes Vorster (1915-1983), who served as the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978 and played a pivotal role in the country's apartheid policies.

Other notable individuals with the Vorster surname include:

1. Koos Vorster (1905-1987), a South African rugby union player who represented the Springboks in the 1930s. 2. Nico Vorster (born 1947), a South African cricketer who played Test cricket for the national team. 3. Johannes Vorster (1776-1825), a Dutch Reformed Church minister and author who served in the Cape Colony. 4. Pieter Vorster (1848-1914), a South African businessman and politician who served as a member of the Cape Colonial Parliament. 5. Annemarie Vorster (born 1974), a South African actress and television presenter known for her work in soap operas.

While the Vorster name has its origins in the Netherlands, it has since spread across various parts of the world, particularly in South Africa, where it has gained historical significance and association with notable figures in politics, sports, and other fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vorster families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vorster 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Vorsters recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 1 Vorsters recorded in 1881 and an index of 107.53x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 1 107.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alexandra 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Vorster households.

Occupation Count
Nursemaid 1

FAQ

Vorster surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vorster surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Vorster surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vorster surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 170 in 2016. That gives Vorster a modern rank of #21,801.

What does the Vorster surname mean?

A South African surname derived from the Dutch word "voorsitter" meaning chairman or president.

What does the Vorster map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Vorster 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.