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

Vey, 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 Vey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Vey in America

Vey is the 42308th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Vey surname appeared 513 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 Vey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Vey 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 Vey

The surname "Vey" has its origins in Germany, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old German word "vehe," which means "cattle" or "livestock." This suggests that the name may have originated as a occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with cattle or livestock.

The earliest recorded instances of the name "Vey" can be found in various German historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval charters and records from the region of Bohemia, which mentions a "Johannes Vey" in the year 1352.

In the 15th century, the name appears to have spread to other parts of Europe, with records showing individuals bearing the surname "Vey" in France and the Netherlands. One prominent figure from this era was Pieter Vey, a Dutch merchant and trader who lived in the city of Antwerp during the late 1400s.

As the name continued to evolve over the centuries, various spelling variations emerged, including "Vay," "Veye," and "Veigh." These alternative spellings can be found in historical documents from various regions, reflecting the fluidity of naming conventions during that time.

One notable figure bearing the surname "Vey" was Johann Vey, a German theologian and philosopher who lived from 1585 to 1634. He was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation and published several influential works on theology and religious doctrine.

Another individual of historical significance was Hans Vey, a German artist and engraver who lived from 1561 to 1629. He is renowned for his intricate copperplate engravings, many of which depicted religious and mythological scenes.

In the 18th century, the name "Vey" gained prominence in the field of literature with the German poet and playwright Johann Jakob Vey, who lived from 1720 to 1792. He is best known for his satirical works and comedic plays, which were widely popular during his time.

Moving into the 19th century, one notable figure was Friedrich Vey, a German architect and urban planner who lived from 1801 to 1870. He was instrumental in the design and development of several prominent buildings and urban spaces in cities across Germany.

Throughout its history, the surname "Vey" has maintained a strong presence in various regions of Germany and has also expanded to other parts of Europe and beyond. While its origins can be traced back to the 12th century, the name has endured and continues to be a part of many family histories and cultural traditions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Vey

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

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 Vey 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 Vey 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 Vey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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