NameCensus.

UK surname

Dainton

A surname derived from a place name in England meaning "valley town."

In the 1881 census there were 352 people recorded with the Dainton surname, ranking it #8,718 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 554, ranked #9,230, down from #8,718 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Trowbridge and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Calderdale, Wiltshire and Bolton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dainton is 579 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.4%.

1881 census count

352

Ranked #8,718

Modern count

554

2016, ranked #9,230

Peak year

1911

579 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dainton had 352 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,718 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 554 in 2016, ranked #9,230.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 579 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dainton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dainton surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dainton 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 215 #9,860
1861 historical 254 #9,741
1881 historical 352 #8,718
1891 historical 413 #8,638
1901 historical 526 #7,760
1911 historical 579 #7,023
1997 modern 570 #8,442
1998 modern 569 #8,694
1999 modern 572 #8,712
2000 modern 557 #8,860
2001 modern 551 #8,789
2002 modern 559 #8,861
2003 modern 558 #8,740
2004 modern 545 #8,919
2005 modern 542 #8,887
2006 modern 550 #8,814
2007 modern 561 #8,766
2008 modern 555 #8,904
2009 modern 563 #8,999
2010 modern 565 #9,167
2011 modern 548 #9,300
2012 modern 551 #9,153
2013 modern 567 #9,093
2014 modern 567 #9,161
2015 modern 553 #9,267
2016 modern 554 #9,230

Geography

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Where Daintons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Trowbridge, London parishes, Lyncombe and Widcombe and Bath St Michael. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Calderdale, Wiltshire, Bolton and Reading. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Trowbridge Wiltshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lyncombe and Widcombe Somerset
5 Bath St Michael Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Calderdale 015 Calderdale
2 Wiltshire 024 Wiltshire
3 Bolton 030 Bolton
4 Bolton 035 Bolton
5 Reading 018 Reading

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dainton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dainton

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Dainton 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

Dainton is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dainton falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dainton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dainton

The surname Dainton originates from England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "dene" meaning a valley or hollow, and "tun" meaning a town or settlement, indicating the name's origins in a valley town or settlement.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Dainton can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Berkshire in 1275, where it was spelled as "Deniton". This suggests that the name was initially associated with a place name, likely a village or hamlet in Berkshire.

During the medieval period, the name Dainton appeared in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Wiltshire in 1327, where it was recorded as "Deniton". This provides evidence of the name's presence in Wiltshire during that time.

In the 16th century, the surname Dainton was recorded in the Parish Registers of Swindon, Wiltshire, with the spelling "Daynton". This variation in spelling was common during that era, as standardized spelling had not yet been established.

One notable individual with the surname Dainton was Sir Edward Dainton (1585-1647), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in the early 17th century. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, supporting the Parliamentarian cause.

Another prominent figure was Sir Baldwin Dainton (1638-1718), an English merchant and landowner who served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1689. He was known for his involvement in the wool trade and his contributions to the local community.

In the 18th century, the name Dainton was associated with the village of Dainton in Somerset, England. This suggests that the surname may have originated from or been influenced by this place name.

John Dainton (1710-1783), a renowned English architect, was responsible for designing several notable buildings in Bath, including the Assembly Rooms and the Royal Crescent. His work significantly shaped the architectural landscape of the city.

In the 19th century, Thomas Dainton (1812-1897), a British engineer, made significant contributions to the development of early railway systems. He was involved in the construction of several important railway lines in England, including the London and South Western Railway.

These examples illustrate the historical presence and significance of the surname Dainton in various regions of England, spanning several centuries and encompassing individuals from diverse professions and backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dainton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dainton 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. Somerset leads with 89 Daintons recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.10x.

County Total Index
Somerset 89 16.10x
Wiltshire 75 24.70x
Middlesex 67 1.95x
Gloucestershire 35 5.20x
Surrey 22 1.32x
Kent 13 1.11x
Lancashire 10 0.25x
Cheshire 7 0.92x
Derbyshire 7 1.30x
Essex 7 1.03x
Worcestershire 6 1.34x
Staffordshire 4 0.35x
Warwickshire 3 0.35x
Glamorgan 2 0.33x
Hampshire 1 0.14x
Monmouthshire 1 0.40x
Northamptonshire 1 0.31x
Oxfordshire 1 0.47x
Sussex 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lyncombe Widcombe in Somerset leads with 26 Daintons recorded in 1881 and an index of 179.68x.

Place Total Index
Lyncombe Widcombe 26 179.68x
Bradford On Avon 20 205.76x
Walcot 17 57.74x
Bathwick 15 245.10x
Kensington London 15 7.86x
Cricklade St Sampson 14 992.91x
Trowbridge 13 96.87x
Islington London 11 3.31x
Monckton Combe 11 621.47x
Lambeth 10 3.34x
Wootton Bassett 8 303.03x
Barnes 7 98.87x
Frome 7 52.95x
Stratton St Margaret 7 150.21x
West Dean 7 63.99x
West Ham 7 4.68x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 9.46x
Dursley 6 216.61x
Kings Norton 6 14.92x
Speldhurst 6 100.67x
West Derby 6 5.03x
Chelsea London 5 4.83x
Clifton 5 14.69x
Hampstead London 5 9.35x
Hyde 5 22.36x
Litchurch 5 23.12x
Maidstone 5 14.33x
Newington 5 3.94x
St Pancras London 5 1.81x
Willesden 5 15.45x
Crowan 4 1600.00x
Gloucester St John Baptist 4 91.95x
Hampton London 4 70.92x
Rugeley 4 48.08x
Shoreditch London 4 2.69x
Swindon 4 16.99x
Toxteth Park 4 2.90x
Westminster St John 4 9.57x
Beckington 3 275.23x
Bristol St Paul In 3 16.72x
Rugby 3 25.62x
St Sepulchre London 3 59.64x
Aston By Budworth 2 377.36x
Bath St James 2 34.72x
Box 2 77.22x
Bristol St George 2 6.42x
Buxton 2 43.96x
Canterbury St Martin 2 800.00x
Freshford 2 416.67x
Llantrisant 2 13.27x
North Bradley 2 90.09x
St Botolph Aldersgate 2 50.76x
St Luke London 2 3.63x
Westwood 2 317.46x
Bedwellty 1 2.28x
Bisley 1 16.39x
Brighton 1 0.86x
Bruton 1 46.08x
Charterhouse Hinton 1 153.85x
Coaley 1 114.94x
Ewelme 1 142.86x
Fulham London 1 2.01x
Hammersmith London 1 1.18x
Hartley Wintney 1 47.17x
Hinton In Hedges 1 555.56x
Keevil 1 227.27x
Liddiard Tregooze 1 128.21x
Purton 1 37.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 19
Mary 16
Elizabeth 14
Eliza 10
Ellen 7
Emma 7
Jane 7
Ann 6
Annie 5
Edith 5
Maria 5
Charlotte 4
Ruth 4
Caroline 3
Emily 3
Florence 3
Martha 3
Rose 3
Susan 3
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Anne 2
Cecilia 2
E. 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Clara 1
Diana 1
Dinah 1
Elizth 1
Emlie 1
Ester 1
Esther 1
Florance 1
Frances 1
Hebe 1
Helen 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Leonora 1
Lucy 1
Mable 1
May 1
Minnie 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 19
Charles 15
William 15
James 12
Henry 11
John 11
Edward 8
Thomas 7
Frederick 6
Alfred 5
Ernest 5
Arthur 4
Joseph 4
Albert 3
Frank 3
Samuel 3
Andrew 2
Harry 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Worthy 2
Aaron 1
Abraham 1
Anthony 1
Arculaches 1
Aurther 1
Basil 1
Eli 1
Elias 1
Francis 1
Geo. 1
Geoffrey 1
Georgie 1
Gilbert 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Hy. 1
Jabez 1
Lot 1
Louis 1
Major 1
Mark 1
Moses 1
Nathaniel 1
Percy 1
Ralph 1
Sidney 1
Solomon 1
Valentine 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Dainton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dainton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 352 people were recorded with the Dainton surname. That placed it at #8,718 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dainton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 554 in 2016. That gives Dainton a modern rank of #9,230.

What does the Dainton surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name in England meaning "valley town."

What does the Dainton map show?

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