UK surname
An English habitational surname derived from a place name, possibly related to the Old English words "dæl" meaning "valley" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement".
In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Dalson surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 35, ranked #35,703, down from #31,761 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Manchester and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dalson is 260 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 169.2%.
1881 census count
13
Ranked #31,761
Modern count
35
2016, ranked #35,703
Peak year
1861
260 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dalson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dalson surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 81 | #19,457 |
| 1861 | historical | 260 | #9,516 |
| 1881 | historical | 13 | #31,761 |
| 1891 | historical | 156 | #17,842 |
| 1901 | historical | 44 | #29,276 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 19 | #35,928 |
| 1998 | modern | 22 | #35,687 |
| 1999 | modern | 22 | #35,725 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 22 | #35,531 |
| 2002 | modern | 23 | #35,606 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 24 | #35,981 |
| 2007 | modern | 22 | #36,213 |
| 2008 | modern | 23 | #36,211 |
| 2009 | modern | 28 | #35,988 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 33 | #35,777 |
| 2012 | modern | 36 | #35,595 |
| 2013 | modern | 38 | #35,534 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 34 | #35,756 |
| 2016 | modern | 35 | #35,703 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Manchester, Lambeth, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford and Stapleford, Tawney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Stapleford, Tawney | Essex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dalson surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dalson, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Dalson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dalson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Dalson is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dalson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dalson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname DALSON is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have emerged from the northern regions of England, particularly Yorkshire and Northumberland. The name is likely derived from a combination of the Old English words "dal" meaning "valley" and "son," referring to someone who lived in or near a valley.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name DALSON can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Dalessone." This entry suggests that the name was already in use during the time of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
During the Middle Ages, variations of the name emerged, such as "Daleson," "Daliston," and "Dallyson." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and scribal errors in transcribing the name.
Historically, the DALSON surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure is William DALSON (c. 1490-1558), a prominent English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Carlisle from 1548 until his death.
Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Thomas DALSON (1556-1633), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire in the early 17th century.
In the literary realm, the poet and playwright John DALSON (1615-1679) left a lasting mark with his works, including the play "The Unfortunate Lovers" and a collection of poems titled "Poetical Miscellanies."
The DALSON surname also has connections to place names in the northern regions of England. For instance, the village of Dalston in Cumbria is believed to have derived its name from the DALSON surname, further reinforcing the name's regional ties.
Another notable figure was Sir Robert DALSON (1719-1793), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. He commanded several ships and participated in key battles, including the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781.
The DALSON surname has endured through the centuries, with bearers of the name making significant contributions across various fields, from religion and politics to literature and military service.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dalson surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Staffordshire leads with 4 Dalsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.35x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 4 | 9.35x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 2.37x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 10.50x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 5.04x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.66x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.62x |
| Sussex | 1 | 4.68x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.80x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolverhampton in Staffordshire leads with 4 Dalsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 121.58x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | 4 | 121.58x |
| Clerkenwell London | 2 | 66.89x |
| Derby St Werburgh | 1 | 86.96x |
| Hunslet | 1 | 51.02x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 9.04x |
| Old Shoreham | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Reading St Giles | 1 | 107.53x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 9.79x |
| West Derby | 1 | 22.73x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dalson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Dalson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Dalson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| (Labr) Out Of Work | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Glass Worker | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Labourer At Biscuit Factory | 1 |
| Laundry Maid | 1 |
| Licensed Victualler | 1 |
| Potter | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Traveller (Com) | 1 |
| Warehouse Porter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Dalson surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 35 in 2016. That gives Dalson a modern rank of #35,703.
An English habitational surname derived from a place name, possibly related to the Old English words "dæl" meaning "valley" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dalson bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.