NameCensus.

UK surname

Dalgliesh

A Scottish surname likely derived from a place name meaning "field of the meadow".

In the 1881 census there were 430 people recorded with the Dalgliesh surname, ranking it #7,569 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 493, ranked #10,082, down from #7,569 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Melrose, Langholm and Hawick and Wilton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Annan East, Annan West and Eastriggs.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dalgliesh is 510 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.7%.

1881 census count

430

Ranked #7,569

Modern count

493

2016, ranked #10,082

Peak year

2011

510 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dalgliesh had 430 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,569 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 493 in 2016, ranked #10,082.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 485 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Dalgliesh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dalgliesh surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dalgliesh 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 478 #5,213
1861 historical 485 #5,385
1881 historical 430 #7,569
1891 historical 379 #9,254
1901 historical 428 #9,040
1911 historical 137 #18,880
1997 modern 445 #10,154
1998 modern 451 #10,393
1999 modern 442 #10,606
2000 modern 465 #10,175
2001 modern 461 #10,049
2002 modern 467 #10,136
2003 modern 461 #10,072
2004 modern 470 #9,958
2005 modern 460 #10,042
2006 modern 473 #9,871
2007 modern 480 #9,860
2008 modern 496 #9,694
2009 modern 504 #9,788
2010 modern 503 #10,017
2011 modern 510 #9,805
2012 modern 479 #10,176
2013 modern 481 #10,315
2014 modern 489 #10,253
2015 modern 490 #10,149
2016 modern 493 #10,082

Geography

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Where Dalglieshs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Melrose, Langholm, Hawick and Wilton, Selkirk and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Annan East, Annan West, Eastriggs, Langholm and Eskdale and Thornhill. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Melrose Roxburgh
2 Langholm Dumfries
3 Hawick and Wilton Roxburgh
4 Selkirk Selkirk
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Annan East Dumfries and Galloway
2 Annan West Dumfries and Galloway
3 Eastriggs Dumfries and Galloway
4 Langholm and Eskdale Dumfries and Galloway
5 Thornhill Dumfries and Galloway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dalgliesh

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dalgliesh

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Dalgliesh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Dalgliesh household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Dalgliesh is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dalgliesh is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Dalgliesh

The surname Dalgliesh has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Scots Gaelic words "dail" meaning "field" or "meadow," and "glais" meaning "green" or "gray-green." This suggests that the name may have originated as a descriptive name referring to someone who lived near a green field or meadow.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which were a series of homage rolls listing those who had sworn fealty to King Edward I of England. The name appears in these rolls as "Dalgleisch," indicating its early spelling variation.

The Dalgliesh surname is closely associated with the Scottish Borders region, particularly the areas around Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire. It is believed that the name may have originated as a territorial name, referring to someone who lived in or near a place called Dalgleish, although no such place has been definitively identified.

In the 16th century, a prominent individual bearing the Dalgliesh surname was Sir William Dalgliesh, who was a Scottish merchant and landowner. He was born in Edinburghshire around 1520 and was known for his successful trading ventures and wealth.

Another notable figure was John Dalgliesh, a Scottish Presbyterian minister who lived in the 17th century. He was born in Ayrshire around 1630 and served as a minister in various parishes in Scotland, becoming known for his strong religious convictions and preaching.

In the 18th century, James Dalgliesh, a Scottish poet and writer, gained recognition for his works. He was born in Roxburghshire in 1740 and published several collections of poetry, as well as essays and other literary works.

Moving into the 19th century, one of the most famous individuals with the Dalgliesh surname was Sir William Dalgliesh, a Scottish entrepreneur and industrialist. He was born in Ayrshire in 1810 and made his fortune in the textile industry, becoming a prominent figure in the development of the Scottish economy.

Another significant figure from this era was Alison Dalgliesh, a Scottish author and educator who lived from 1820 to 1895. She wrote several books on educational topics and was a pioneer in advocating for improved education for women and children.

Throughout its history, the Dalgliesh surname has maintained a strong connection to Scotland and its rich cultural heritage. While the name may have evolved in spelling over time, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period, reflecting the Scottish tradition of descriptive and territorial surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dalgliesh families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dalgliesh 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. Dumfriesshire leads with 126 Dalglieshs recorded in 1881 and an index of 141.24x.

County Total Index
Dumfriesshire 126 141.24x
Midlothian 42 7.76x
Selkirkshire 40 109.47x
Roxburghshire 28 38.28x
Lancashire 18 0.38x
Peeblesshire 16 84.21x
Middlesex 14 0.35x
Northumberland 14 2.33x
Staffordshire 14 1.03x
Lanarkshire 10 0.77x
Stirlingshire 10 6.71x
Cumberland 9 2.59x
Argyllshire 8 7.12x
Derbyshire 8 1.27x
Yorkshire 8 0.20x
Berwickshire 6 12.27x
East Lothian 6 11.22x
Renfrewshire 6 1.92x
West Lothian 6 9.87x
Ayrshire 5 1.65x
Kirkcudbrightshire 5 8.55x
Perthshire 5 2.76x
Aberdeenshire 3 0.80x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.55x
Surrey 3 0.15x
Sutherland 1 3.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Langholm in Dumfriesshire leads with 56 Dalglieshs recorded in 1881 and an index of 873.63x.

Place Total Index
Langholm 56 873.63x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 29 13.32x
Melrose 20 217.39x
Marston 14 1521.74x
Eskdalemuir 13 1688.31x
Innerleithen 12 238.10x
Ettrick 10 1818.18x
Barony 9 2.72x
Dryfesdale 9 218.98x
Falkirk 9 25.81x
Hawick 9 54.98x
Lilliesleaf 9 909.09x
Annan 8 104.44x
Dornock 8 707.96x
Glossop Dale 8 27.02x
Islington London 8 2.04x
Norham 8 601.50x
Westerkirk 8 1194.03x
Duddingston 7 64.46x
Low Holme 7 357.14x
Middlebie 7 261.19x
Inishail 6 1666.67x
Kirkhope 6 789.47x
Openshaw 6 26.74x
Uxbridge 6 130.15x
Coldingham 5 113.64x
Lochrutton 5 588.24x
Paisley Middle Church 5 27.44x
Perth East Church 5 29.26x
Bathgate 4 30.30x
Gladsmuir 4 168.07x
Liverpool 4 1.37x
Manor 4 1052.63x
Masham 4 270.27x
Old Cumnock 4 59.44x
Penpont 4 243.90x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 3 4.29x
Ashton Under Lyne 3 2.86x
Bowling 3 7.57x
Dumfries 3 34.09x
Elswick 3 6.26x
Hobkirk 3 326.09x
Kirkmahoe 3 173.41x
Melrose 3 47.47x
Nottingham St Mary 3 2.13x
Barrow In Furness 2 3.07x
Bermondsey 2 1.66x
Berwick Upon Tweed 2 15.71x
Edinburgh Canongate 2 14.52x
Ewes 2 425.53x
Galashiels 2 14.80x
Garvald 2 190.48x
Hoddam 2 93.02x
South Leith 2 3.29x
Strachur Stralachlan 2 215.05x
Torphichen 2 94.34x
West Derby 2 1.43x
Wigton 2 38.39x
Castleton 1 31.85x
Dalkeith 1 9.37x
Earlston 1 40.82x
Edinburgh Greenside 1 13.99x
Epsom 1 10.43x
Farr 1 37.31x
Glasgow 1 0.43x
Keighley 1 2.34x
Kelso 1 13.72x
Kirkdale 1 1.24x
Lowick 1 47.85x
Moffat 1 24.57x
Polmont 1 18.18x
Renfrew 1 9.68x
Roxburgh 1 71.43x
Selkirk 1 9.72x
Sorn 1 16.84x
St Boswells 1 75.19x
Tundergarth 1 153.85x
Wamphray 1 158.73x
Yarrow 1 112.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Elizabeth 4
Sarah 3
Isabella 2
Jane 2
Janet 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Alies 1
Ameis 1
Annie 1
Bertha 1
Christina 1
Christinia 1
Edith 1
Florence 1
Harriet 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Jullian 1
Kezia 1
Lillies 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 5
John 5
Robert 5
William 5
Thomas 4
Edward 3
George 3
Henry 3
Adam 2
Ernest 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Alocunden 1
Arthur 1
Evan 1
G. 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Joseph 1
Percy 1
Thaedore 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Dalgliesh households.

FAQ

Dalgliesh surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dalgliesh surname in 1881?

In 1881, 430 people were recorded with the Dalgliesh surname. That placed it at #7,569 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dalgliesh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 493 in 2016. That gives Dalgliesh a modern rank of #10,082.

What does the Dalgliesh surname mean?

A Scottish surname likely derived from a place name meaning "field of the meadow".

What does the Dalgliesh map show?

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