NameCensus.

UK surname

Damian

A surname derived from the Greek name Damianos, meaning "to tame" or "to subdue."

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Damian surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 203, ranked #19,396, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shepway, Hammersmith and Fulham and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Damian is 203 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6666.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

203

2016, ranked #19,396

Peak year

2016

203 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Damian had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 203 in 2016, ranked #19,396.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 25 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Damian surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Damian surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Damian 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
1861 historical 25 #30,804
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 15 #36,409
1998 modern 16 #36,361
1999 modern 23 #35,612
2000 modern 20 #35,915
2001 modern 22 #35,531
2002 modern 29 #35,030
2003 modern 30 #35,046
2004 modern 27 #35,444
2005 modern 31 #35,260
2006 modern 40 #34,854
2007 modern 65 #33,045
2008 modern 77 #32,181
2009 modern 75 #32,733
2010 modern 99 #30,397
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 167 #21,598
2013 modern 162 #22,433
2014 modern 177 #21,340
2015 modern 188 #20,417
2016 modern 203 #19,396

Geography

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Where Damians are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shepway, Hammersmith and Fulham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and North Lincolnshire. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shepway 014 Shepway
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 012 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Redbridge 027 Redbridge
4 Tower Hamlets 031 Tower Hamlets
5 North Lincolnshire 008 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Damian

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Damian

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Damian surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Damian 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Damian 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

Damian is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Damian falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Damian 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Damian

The surname Damian has its roots in Ancient Rome, originating from the Latin name "Damianus." This name is derived from the Greek word "daman," meaning "to tame" or "to subdue." It is believed that the name was initially given to those who demonstrated a talent for taming or subduing wild animals or hostile forces.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Damian can be traced back to the 5th century AD. During this period, the name appears in various ecclesiastical records and manuscripts, particularly those associated with the Catholic Church. One notable bearer of the name was Saint Damian, a Christian martyr who lived in the 4th century.

In the Middle Ages, the surname Damian gained popularity across Europe, particularly in regions with strong Roman Catholic influences. In England, the name is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that individuals bearing the surname Damian were present in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.

As the surname spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Damien, Damyan, and Damiano. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and language adaptations. One notable bearer of the name was Dante Alighieri's mentor, Damiano Assisi (c. 1180-1260), a renowned scholar and philosopher.

In the 15th century, the surname Damian gained prominence in Spain, where it was associated with several influential families. One such family was the House of Damian, which traced its origins back to the city of Valencia. This family produced notable figures, including Andrés Damian (1490-1562), a renowned architect and sculptor.

During the Renaissance period, the surname Damian was associated with several artists and intellectuals. One example is Damian Forment (c. 1480-1540), a Spanish sculptor known for his work in the Cathedral of Huesca. Another notable figure was Damian Luca (1520-1598), an Italian painter and architect who worked extensively in Rome.

In the 19th century, the surname Damian gained recognition in the literary world with the French writer Alphonse Damian (1808-1892), known for his works on the history of France. Additionally, the name was associated with José Damian Borabio (1821-1899), a Spanish politician and military officer who served as the Prime Minister of Spain.

Throughout history, the surname Damian has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, politicians, and military personnel. While the name's origins can be traced back to Ancient Rome, its presence has been recorded across various regions and cultures, reflecting its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Damian families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Damian 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. Buckinghamshire leads with 3 Damians recorded in 1881 and an index of 169.49x.

County Total Index
Buckinghamshire 3 169.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire leads with 3 Damians recorded in 1881 and an index of 15000.00x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Poges 3 15000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Gordon 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 Damian households.

Occupation Count
Scholar 1

FAQ

Damian surname: questions and answers

How common was the Damian surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Damian surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Damian surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 203 in 2016. That gives Damian a modern rank of #19,396.

What does the Damian surname mean?

A surname derived from the Greek name Damianos, meaning "to tame" or "to subdue."

What does the Damian map show?

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