VESTEY
Vestey
The Vestey family is a prominent British aristocratic family known for their success in the meat industry. The family name is believed to have originated from the Norwegian word "Vesteg," meaning a "dweller of the west." The Vestey family traces its lineage back to the early 19th century when William Vestey began the family's involvement in the butchery and meat trade in the United Kingdom.
One of the most notable figures in the Vestey family is William Vestey's grandson, Lord Samuel Vestey, 3rd Baron Vestey. Lord Samuel Vestey served as the Master of the Horse to Queen Elizabeth II from 1999 to 2021, a prestigious position which involved overseeing the royal stables and ceremonial events.
The Vestey family's success in the meat industry allowed them to amass a significant fortune, leading to their establishment as one of the wealthiest families in Britain. The family's various business interests have included ownership of the Dewhurst chain of butchers and the Blue Star Line shipping company.
Despite their wealth and success, the Vestey family has also faced controversy, particularly in relation to their business practices and labour relations. In the early 20th century, the family was involved in a high-profile dispute with their employees, known as the "Vestey Affair," which highlighted the inequality and exploitation faced by workers in the meat industry.
The Vestey family's legacy continues to be felt in the United Kingdom and beyond, with their name remaining synonymous with both success in the meat industry and controversy surrounding labour relations.
There are approximately 129 people named Vestey in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Vestey.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Arthur
- Ben
- Corin
- David
- Derek
- Edmund
- Lee
- Mark
- Robin
- Roger
- Samuel
- Thomas
Female
- Angela
- Caroline
- Flora
- Georgina
- Joan
- Joanna
- Kathryn
- Rosalind
- Tamara
- Victoria