NameCensus.

UK surname

Dabner

An English occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "Daubour" meaning a plasterer or whitewasher.

In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Dabner surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 134, ranked #25,636, down from #21,690 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Erith, Sunderland and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dartford, Wirral and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dabner is 143 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.5%.

1881 census count

84

Ranked #21,690

Modern count

134

2016, ranked #25,636

Peak year

2011

143 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dabner had 84 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,690 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016, ranked #25,636.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 133 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Multicultural Inner Suburbs.

Dabner surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dabner surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dabner 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 37 #26,673
1861 historical 29 #30,287
1881 historical 84 #21,690
1891 historical 94 #24,820
1901 historical 121 #20,444
1911 historical 133 #19,214
1997 modern 132 #22,821
1998 modern 137 #22,922
1999 modern 131 #23,709
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 122 #24,366
2002 modern 120 #25,110
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 130 #23,902
2005 modern 127 #24,178
2006 modern 124 #24,750
2007 modern 124 #25,086
2008 modern 129 #24,790
2009 modern 140 #24,033
2010 modern 142 #24,352
2011 modern 143 #24,056
2012 modern 138 #24,614
2013 modern 136 #25,252
2014 modern 138 #25,218
2015 modern 136 #25,352
2016 modern 134 #25,636

Geography

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Where Dabners are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Erith, Sunderland, London parishes, Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead and Chelsfield, Orpington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dartford, Wirral 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 Erith Kent
2 Sunderland Durham
3 London parishes London 3
4 Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead Kent
5 Chelsfield, Orpington Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dartford 005 Dartford
2 Dartford 011 Dartford
3 Wirral 015 Wirral
4 Redbridge 004 Redbridge
5 Wirral 030 Wirral

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dabner

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dabner

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

Baseline UK

Group

Multicultural Inner Suburbs

Nationally, the Dabner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Multicultural Inner Suburbs, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Dabner household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house many younger and middle-aged adults with children. All ethnic minorities, apart from those identifying as Pakistani or Bangladeshi, appear to be present in above average proportions. Affiliation to Christian religions is uncommon. Long-term disability rates are low, mirrored in limited provision of unpaid care. Privately rented terrace houses and flats are the norm. Managerial, professional and technical occupations are prevalent, and work is rarely part time. Many individuals have degree level qualifications. These areas form the inner suburbs of many of the UK’s towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Dabner 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

Dabner is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dabner falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dabner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dabner

The surname Dabner has its roots in England, originating during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "dæbere," which referred to a water-bearer or someone who carried water for a living. This occupation was essential in those times when clean water sources were scarce.

The earliest known record of the Dabner surname can be traced back to the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Dæbner" and "Dabener," which highlights the fluidity of names during that era.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Dabner surname was William Dabner, a resident of Essex in the 13th century. Records from this period indicate that the name was concentrated in the southeastern regions of England, particularly in Essex, Kent, and Sussex.

In the 14th century, the surname Dabner began to appear in various historical documents, including tax rolls and court records. One notable figure was John Dabner, a merchant from London who was involved in the wool trade with Flanders in the late 1300s.

As the centuries passed, the Dabner surname spread to other parts of England, and some notable individuals emerged. In the 16th century, Thomas Dabner (1520-1585) was a prominent clergyman and chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I. He played a significant role in the religious reforms of the time and was known for his scholarly works.

Moving into the 17th century, we find Robert Dabner (1612-1678), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist from Warwickshire. He donated substantial funds to support education and the construction of churches in his local community.

In the 18th century, the name Dabner became associated with the military. Captain John Dabner (1745-1821) was a decorated naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

Another notable figure was Richard Dabner (1788-1862), a renowned architect responsible for designing several iconic buildings in London, including the Royal Exchange and the Gresham Street branch of the Bank of England.

As the centuries progressed, the Dabner surname continued to be represented in various fields, including literature, politics, and academia. While the name's origins can be traced back to a humble occupation, it has become a part of England's rich historical tapestry, woven through the lives of individuals who have left their mark on society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dabner families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dabner 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. Kent leads with 63 Dabners recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.27x.

County Total Index
Kent 63 22.27x
Durham 7 2.84x
Buckinghamshire 5 9.98x
Essex 3 1.83x
Somerset 3 2.25x
Hampshire 1 0.59x
Royal Navy 1 10.12x
Surrey 1 0.25x
Sussex 1 0.72x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sutton At Hone in Kent leads with 15 Dabners recorded in 1881 and an index of 2542.37x.

Place Total Index
Sutton At Hone 15 2542.37x
Wilmington 11 2820.51x
Chislehurst 9 592.11x
Knockholt 7 3043.48x
Burham 6 1538.46x
Orpington 6 689.66x
Sunderland 6 137.61x
Wooburn 5 724.64x
Wouldham 4 1111.11x
Leigh 3 526.32x
Radstock 3 340.91x
St Pauls Cray 3 1363.64x
Brighton 1 3.55x
Farnborough 1 56.18x
Royal Navy 1 11.83x
Sevenoaks 1 43.67x
Sittingbourne 1 44.84x
Streatham 1 16.26x
Westoe 1 7.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 7
George 6
James 6
Albert 3
Alfred 3
John 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Edward 2
Thomas 2
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Henry 1
Peter 1
Robt. 1
Roland 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Dabner surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dabner surname in 1881?

In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Dabner surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dabner surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016. That gives Dabner a modern rank of #25,636.

What does the Dabner surname mean?

An English occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "Daubour" meaning a plasterer or whitewasher.

What does the Dabner map show?

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