NameCensus.

UK surname

Dallen

Possible English origin meaning valley or dale dweller.

In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Dallen surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, down from #19,296 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tiverton, London parishes and Guildford Holy Trinity, Stoke d'Abernon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Epsom and Ewell, Dover and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dallen is 205 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.8%.

1881 census count

104

Ranked #19,296

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

1911

205 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dallen had 104 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,296 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 205 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dallen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dallen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dallen 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 86 #18,820
1861 historical 153 #15,032
1881 historical 104 #19,296
1891 historical 154 #18,004
1901 historical 162 #17,271
1911 historical 205 #14,733
1997 modern 107 #25,924
1998 modern 105 #26,822
1999 modern 108 #26,602
2000 modern 104 #27,150
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 105 #27,123
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 102 #27,637
2005 modern 91 #29,406
2006 modern 96 #28,946
2007 modern 94 #29,650
2008 modern 91 #30,431
2009 modern 86 #31,612
2010 modern 91 #31,497
2011 modern 94 #31,016
2012 modern 95 #31,107
2013 modern 93 #31,785
2014 modern 98 #31,370
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Dallens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tiverton, London parishes, Guildford Holy Trinity, Stoke d'Abernon and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Epsom and Ewell, Dover, Manchester, Cornwall and Bexley. 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 Tiverton Devon
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Guildford Holy Trinity, Stoke d'Abernon Surrey
5 St John Hackney London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Epsom and Ewell 007 Epsom and Ewell
2 Dover 002 Dover
3 Manchester 024 Manchester
4 Cornwall 016 Cornwall
5 Bexley 009 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dallen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dallen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dallen, 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 Dallen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dallen 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Dallen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Dallen is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dallen falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dallen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dallen

The surname Dallen is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "dalu," which means "valley" or "dell." This suggests that the name was likely a topographic name given to someone who lived near or in a valley or dell.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Dalen." This entry refers to a family residing in the area of Dalton, which is located in the county of Lancashire. The name evolved over time, with variations such as Dalen, Dallen, and Dallin appearing in various historical records.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Richard de Dallen was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire. These rolls were legal records documenting court proceedings and property disputes during that time period.

During the 14th century, the name Dallen was associated with several individuals of note. One such person was John Dallen, who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of York. He was recorded as having held significant property and land holdings in the area.

In the 16th century, a man named Thomas Dallen was documented as being a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers, one of the oldest livery companies in the City of London. This company played a significant role in the wool and textile trade during that era.

Another notable figure with the surname Dallen was Sir Robert Dallen, who lived in the 17th century. He was a respected military commander and served as a colonel during the English Civil War. Sir Robert Dallen was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

Throughout history, the surname Dallen has been associated with various locations, particularly in the northern regions of England. Place names such as Dalton, Dallowgill, and Dallen Beck have been connected to the surname, further emphasizing its topographic origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dallen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dallen 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. Surrey leads with 32 Dallens recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.01x.

County Total Index
Surrey 32 7.01x
Middlesex 24 2.56x
Cornwall 9 8.49x
Berkshire 8 11.38x
Monmouthshire 6 8.86x
Hampshire 5 2.61x
Buckinghamshire 4 7.07x
Devon 3 1.54x
Somerset 2 1.33x
Gloucestershire 1 0.54x
Lancashire 1 0.09x
Staffordshire 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cobham in Surrey leads with 10 Dallens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1333.33x.

Place Total Index
Cobham 10 1333.33x
Maker 9 918.37x
Clewer 7 243.06x
Stoke 7 325.58x
St Woollos 6 79.47x
Aldershot 5 77.76x
Lambeth 5 6.12x
Paddington London 5 14.52x
St George In East London 5 56.75x
Bethnal Green London 4 9.84x
St George Hanover Square 4 24.24x
Hambleden 3 625.00x
Richmond 3 46.95x
Tiverton 3 89.29x
Baltonsborough 2 869.57x
Finchley 2 55.71x
Guildford Holy Trinity 2 229.89x
Southwark Christchurch 2 45.56x
St Pancras London 2 2.65x
Bray 1 48.54x
Charlton Kings 1 78.74x
Croydon 1 3.95x
Guildford St Mary 1 178.57x
Hackney London 1 1.91x
Hendon 1 29.67x
Langley Marish 1 144.93x
Liverpool 1 1.48x
Whittington 1 153.85x
Windlesham 1 116.28x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Dallen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dallen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Dallen surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dallen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Dallen a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Dallen surname mean?

Possible English origin meaning valley or dale dweller.

What does the Dallen map show?

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