NameCensus.

UK surname

Dace

A surname referring to a fish in the carp family, especially a roach or dace.

In the 1881 census there were 292 people recorded with the Dace surname, ranking it #9,912 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 350, ranked #13,152, down from #9,912 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Weathersfield and St James Clerkenwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Staffordshire, Cornwall and Harlow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dace is 419 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.9%.

1881 census count

292

Ranked #9,912

Modern count

350

2016, ranked #13,152

Peak year

1911

419 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dace had 292 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,912 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 350 in 2016, ranked #13,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 419 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dace surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dace surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dace 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 190 #10,852
1861 historical 197 #12,166
1881 historical 292 #9,912
1891 historical 305 #10,976
1901 historical 380 #9,823
1911 historical 419 #8,985
1997 modern 333 #12,615
1998 modern 350 #12,537
1999 modern 349 #12,638
2000 modern 345 #12,693
2001 modern 346 #12,478
2002 modern 360 #12,360
2003 modern 358 #12,208
2004 modern 343 #12,616
2005 modern 350 #12,359
2006 modern 331 #12,990
2007 modern 324 #13,322
2008 modern 332 #13,207
2009 modern 339 #13,281
2010 modern 345 #13,370
2011 modern 348 #13,134
2012 modern 342 #13,184
2013 modern 358 #12,952
2014 modern 357 #13,068
2015 modern 355 #13,033
2016 modern 350 #13,152

Geography

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Where Daces are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Weathersfield, St James Clerkenwell, Cannock and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Staffordshire, Cornwall, Harlow, Cannock Chase and Lichfield. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Weathersfield Essex
3 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
4 Cannock Staffordshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Staffordshire 004 South Staffordshire
2 Cornwall 039 Cornwall
3 Harlow 011 Harlow
4 Cannock Chase 011 Cannock Chase
5 Lichfield 003 Lichfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dace

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dace

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Dace surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dace household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Dace 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

Dace is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dace 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 Dace 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 Dace, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dace

The surname DACE is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "deor" meaning wild animal and "cèace" meaning cheek. It likely originated in the late 11th century as a nickname referring to someone who had prominent cheekbones or a chubby face resembling that of a deer.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname DACE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Deorcece" in the county of Gloucestershire. This entry suggests that the name may have initially been concentrated in the southwestern regions of England.

By the 13th century, the spelling had evolved to "Derce" and "Dearce", as evidenced in various medieval records and tax rolls. The more modern spelling of "DACE" began to emerge in the 16th century, possibly influenced by the Middle English word "dace", referring to a type of freshwater fish.

One notable bearer of the DACE surname was Sir John Dace (c. 1500-1567), a wealthy merchant and Member of Parliament for the City of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of several educational foundations.

Another prominent figure was Thomas Dace (1637-1701), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Richmond. He wrote several theological works and was involved in various religious controversies of the time.

In the 18th century, William DACE (1725-1785) made a name for himself as a successful architect and surveyor. He designed several notable buildings in London, including the Church of St. Pancras and the Foundling Hospital.

The 19th century saw the rise of Mary DACE (1815-1892), a celebrated British botanist and illustrator. She contributed numerous drawings and descriptions of plants to various scientific publications and was renowned for her meticulous attention to detail.

Finally, one cannot overlook the achievements of Sir Arthur DACE (1875-1948), a highly decorated British military officer who served in both World Wars. He played a crucial role in the Allied campaign during World War I and was later appointed as the Governor of Bermuda from 1935 to 1939.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dace families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dace 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. Essex leads with 83 Daces recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.12x.

County Total Index
Essex 83 15.12x
Staffordshire 81 8.63x
Middlesex 51 1.83x
Surrey 19 1.40x
Lancashire 13 0.39x
Cheshire 7 1.14x
Devon 5 0.86x
Berkshire 4 1.92x
Kent 4 0.42x
Warwickshire 4 0.57x
Cambridgeshire 3 1.70x
Hampshire 3 0.53x
Derbyshire 2 0.46x
Worcestershire 2 0.55x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.60x
Hertfordshire 1 0.52x
Suffolk 1 0.30x
Wiltshire 1 0.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clerkenwell London in Middlesex leads with 22 Daces recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.53x.

Place Total Index
Clerkenwell London 22 33.53x
Cheslyn Hay 20 1169.59x
Wethersfield 15 1086.96x
Islington London 12 4.45x
Cannock 11 67.20x
Bocking 9 272.73x
Walsall Borough 9 123.63x
West Derby 9 9.33x
Abbots Bromley 8 575.54x
Little Baddow 8 1538.46x
High Roothing 7 1627.91x
Sandon 7 1590.91x
Colchester St Runwald 6 2068.97x
Danbury 6 645.16x
Hatfield Peverel 6 508.47x
St Pancras London 6 2.68x
Altrincham 5 46.64x
Brewood 5 184.50x
Camberwell 5 2.82x
Chertsey 5 57.14x
Monkton 5 4166.67x
Tipton 5 17.40x
Willenhall 5 28.44x
Wolverhampton 5 6.93x
Braintree 4 81.14x
Clewer 4 46.78x
Great Wyrley 4 392.16x
St Luke London 4 8.97x
Aston 3 1.55x
Beckenham 3 24.19x
Penge 3 16.89x
Toxteth Park 3 2.69x
Walsall Foreign 3 6.19x
Walthanstow 3 329.67x
Aldershot 2 10.48x
Guildford St Mary 2 119.76x
Leyton Low 2 17.94x
Romford 2 23.07x
West Bromwich 2 3.72x
West Ham 2 1.65x
Yardley 2 21.53x
Birmingham 1 0.43x
Chelmsford 1 10.62x
Chesterton 1 18.42x
Coppenhall Dunston 1 285.71x
Darlaston 1 7.71x
East Barnet 1 26.32x
Eton 1 26.25x
Farnborough 1 16.72x
Finchingfield 1 58.14x
Fulham London 1 2.48x
Great Bardfield 1 111.11x
Great Burstead 1 50.00x
Hackney London 1 0.64x
Hale 1 47.17x
Heanor 1 15.36x
Hoose 1 86.96x
Hopton Coton 1 75.19x
Ipswich St Mathew 1 10.54x
Kensington London 1 0.65x
Lambeth 1 0.41x
Loughton 1 36.90x
Madingley 1 454.55x
Mucking 1 416.67x
Newdigate 1 158.73x
Newington 1 0.97x
Pendleton In Salford 1 2.54x
Pilsley 1 69.44x
Sedgley 1 2.87x
Southwark St Saviour 1 7.00x
St George Bloomsbury 1 6.27x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.04x
St Giles Cambridge 1 44.05x
St Mary Cray 1 55.25x
St Marylebone London 1 0.67x
Swindon 1 5.24x
Willesden 1 3.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Alice 14
Eliza 9
Ann 7
Elizabeth 7
Sarah 7
Emma 6
Ellen 5
Hannah 5
Jane 5
Martha 5
Elizth. 4
Harriet 4
Louisa 4
Rachel 4
Charlotte 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Annie 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Emily 2
Eva 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Julia 2
K. 2
Margaret 2
Marian 2
Prudence 2
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Daisy 1
Elye 1
Esther 1
Hephzibah 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lelea 1
Lizze 1
Lizzie 1
Lucey 1
Lucy 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
Philis 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
James 14
William 13
Charles 11
Henry 7
Arthur 6
Thomas 6
Edward 5
Walter 4
Albert 3
Ernest 3
Robert 3
Benjamin 2
Fredrick 2
George 2
Addison 1
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Cornelius 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Frank 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Gustaves 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
Jesse 1
Jno. 1
Jnr. 1
Joseph 1
Leonard 1
Luther 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Orlando 1
Owen 1
Peter 1
Samuel 1
Silvanus 1
Simeon 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Dace surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dace surname in 1881?

In 1881, 292 people were recorded with the Dace surname. That placed it at #9,912 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dace surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 350 in 2016. That gives Dace a modern rank of #13,152.

What does the Dace surname mean?

A surname referring to a fish in the carp family, especially a roach or dace.

What does the Dace map show?

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