Find out how popular the last name Veasley is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Veasley.

Veasley, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Veasley surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Veasley in America

Veasley is the 20553rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Veasley surname appeared 1,290 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Veasley.

We can also compare 2010 data for Veasley to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Veasley

The surname Veasley is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational surname, derived from a place name that no longer exists or has undergone significant changes over time.

One theory suggests that the name Veasley may have evolved from the Old English words "fæst" meaning "fast" or "firm," and "leah" meaning "a meadow" or "clearing in a forest." This combination could indicate that the name initially referred to someone who lived in a secluded or well-protected meadow.

Alternatively, some scholars propose that the name may be a variation of the place name "Veslye" or "Vesly," which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a village in Hertfordshire. This connection suggests that the earliest bearers of the Veasley name hailed from this area.

The earliest known record of the Veasley surname dates back to the 13th century, with a mention of Walter de Vesly in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire in 1236. This entry provides valuable insight into the name's evolution and potential geographical origins.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, such as John de Vesselee, recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1347, and Richard Veyseley, mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1327. These variations highlight the fluidity of spelling and pronunciation during that period.

Notable individuals bearing the Veasley surname throughout history include:

1. Sir William Veasley (1520-1587), an English soldier and statesman who served under Queen Elizabeth I.
2. Robert Veasley (1618-1692), a Puritan settler in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and a prominent figure in the town of Ipswich.
3. Elizabeth Veasley (1745-1823), a British philanthropist and advocate for women's education, known for her work in establishing schools for underprivileged girls.
4. Thomas Veasley (1792-1867), an American inventor and engineer credited with developing an early version of the cotton gin.
5. Charlotte Veasley (1856-1932), a British suffragette and activist who campaigned tirelessly for women's right to vote.

While the Veasley surname may have evolved from various place names and linguistic roots, its enduring presence across centuries and in diverse geographical regions attests to its rich heritage and the remarkable stories of those who bore this name throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Veasley

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Veasley.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Veasley was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Veasley has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Veasley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Veasley, please contact us.

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