UK surname
A noble title or honorific bestowed upon a woman in recognition of service, rank, or distinction.
In the 1881 census there were 29 people recorded with the Dame surname, ranking it #29,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 59, ranked #34,401, down from #29,484 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lincoln St Botolph, Trusthorpe and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dame is 167 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 103.4%.
1881 census count
29
Ranked #29,484
Modern count
59
2016, ranked #34,401
Peak year
1861
167 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dame surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dame surname density by area, 1861 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 | 97 | #17,484 |
| 1861 | historical | 167 | #13,956 |
| 1881 | historical | 29 | #29,484 |
| 1891 | historical | 99 | #24,200 |
| 1901 | historical | 64 | #27,010 |
| 1911 | historical | 45 | #28,332 |
| 1997 | modern | 33 | #34,377 |
| 1998 | modern | 43 | #33,557 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 30 | #34,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 31 | #34,957 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 32 | #35,191 |
| 2006 | modern | 34 | #35,255 |
| 2007 | modern | 31 | #35,592 |
| 2008 | modern | 26 | #36,012 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 44 | #35,164 |
| 2013 | modern | 43 | #35,271 |
| 2014 | modern | 54 | #34,700 |
| 2015 | modern | 53 | #34,726 |
| 2016 | modern | 59 | #34,401 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lincoln St Botolph, Trusthorpe, St Marylebone, West Derby 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 No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln St Botolph | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Trusthorpe | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | West Derby | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dame 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 Dame, 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 Dame surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dame 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, Dame 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 Dame is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dame, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Dame originated in France during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "dame," meaning "lady" or "dame." This word ultimately comes from the Latin "domina," which means "mistress" or "lady of the house."
The name was likely originally a descriptive surname given to a woman of high social status or one who held a respectable position in a household or community. It may have also been used as a nickname or term of respect for an older woman.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Dame is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Dama," which was the Norman French spelling of the word.
In the 12th century, the name is recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, England, where a person named Thomas Dame is mentioned. This indicates that the surname had spread to England by this time.
During the Middle Ages, the name Dame was also associated with various place names in France and England. For example, there was a village called Dame-Marie in Normandy, France, and a hamlet called Dame Enderby in Lincolnshire, England.
One notable historical figure with the surname Dame was John Dame (c. 1530-1611), an English clergyman and scholar. He was a Fellow of Cambridge University and served as the rector of several parishes in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
Another famous bearer of the name was Michael Dame (1679-1753), an American silversmith and engraver who was active in Boston during the colonial era. He was known for his intricate and detailed metalwork, which included silver plates, cups, and other household items.
In the 19th century, a prominent figure with the surname Dame was William Dame (1806-1867), an English architect and surveyor. He was involved in the construction of several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Opera House and the National Gallery.
Lastly, one cannot overlook Edith Dame (1857-1943), an American author and feminist activist. She wrote several books and articles advocating for women's rights and was involved in various social and political movements of her time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dame 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. Yorkshire leads with 10 Dames recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.57x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 10 | 3.57x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 2.83x |
| Devon | 4 | 6.79x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 4.42x |
| Surrey | 2 | 1.45x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.79x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 2.38x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 2.62x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 6 Dames recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.26x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sheffield | 6 | 67.26x |
| Honiton | 3 | 909.09x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 13.18x |
| North South Anston | 2 | 1666.67x |
| Chipping Ongar | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Fotherby | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 24.39x |
| Islington London | 1 | 3.65x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 6.36x |
| Kettlethorpe | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 4.06x |
| Newington | 1 | 9.57x |
| Rampton | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Redcar | 1 | 454.55x |
| Seacroft | 1 | 769.23x |
| Stoke | 1 | 416.67x |
| Twickenham | 1 | 82.64x |
| Westgate | 1 | 38.31x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 35.84x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dame 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 Dame 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 Dame households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| General Servant (Dom) | 2 |
| (...) | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Car Man | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Cook Dom Serv | 1 |
| Designer (Artizan) | 1 |
| Drayman | 1 |
| Farmer Of 87 Acres | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Miller Out Of Employment (Corn) | 1 |
| Needlewoman (S) | 1 |
| Police Constable | 1 |
| Serv Domestic | 1 |
| Straw Bonnet Maker | 1 |
| Undernurse (Dom Serv) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 29 people were recorded with the Dame surname. That placed it at #29,484 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 59 in 2016. That gives Dame a modern rank of #34,401.
A noble title or honorific bestowed upon a woman in recognition of service, rank, or distinction.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dame 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.