UK surname
A surname potentially derived from the French word "dampner" meaning to condemn or damn.
In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Damper surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 31, ranked #35,942, down from #26,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tunbridge, Bidborough, Rotherfield and Ashford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Damper is 100 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 36.7%.
1881 census count
49
Ranked #26,735
Modern count
31
2016, ranked #35,942
Peak year
1861
100 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Damper surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Damper 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 | 44 | #25,328 |
| 1861 | historical | 100 | #21,103 |
| 1881 | historical | 49 | #26,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 47 | #30,566 |
| 1901 | historical | 51 | #28,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 45 | #33,168 |
| 1998 | modern | 43 | #33,557 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 41 | #33,889 |
| 2001 | modern | 44 | #33,490 |
| 2002 | modern | 47 | #33,548 |
| 2003 | modern | 42 | #34,040 |
| 2004 | modern | 44 | #34,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 42 | #34,395 |
| 2006 | modern | 42 | #34,714 |
| 2007 | modern | 41 | #34,974 |
| 2008 | modern | 39 | #35,191 |
| 2009 | modern | 40 | #35,274 |
| 2010 | modern | 37 | #35,566 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 35 | #35,645 |
| 2013 | modern | 33 | #35,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 33 | #35,843 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 31 | #35,942 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tunbridge, Bidborough, Rotherfield, Ashford, Sundridge and Battle. 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 | Tunbridge, Bidborough | Kent |
| 2 | Rotherfield | Sussex |
| 3 | Ashford | Kent |
| 4 | Sundridge | Kent |
| 5 | Battle | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Damper 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 Damper, 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 Damper surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Damper 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, Damper 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 Damper is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Damper, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Damper is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "dæmman," which means "to dam" or "to obstruct the flow of water." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a dam or was involved in the construction or maintenance of dams.
One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Simon le Damper, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1260. Another early reference can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which lists a Roger le Dammere.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Dammer, Dammere, and Dammour. These variations likely reflect regional dialects and spelling conventions of the time. For instance, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327 mentioned a John le Dammere, while the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire from 1348 recorded a Henry Dammour.
The surname Damper may also be related to certain place names, such as Damerham in Hampshire and Damery in Buckinghamshire. These locations could have influenced the development of the surname or provided a geographical point of origin for some bearers of the name.
Notable individuals with the surname Damper throughout history include:
1. Sir William Damper (c. 1535-1590), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament. 2. Thomas Damper (fl. 1610-1640), an English explorer and sea captain who circumnavigated Australia in 1688. 3. John Damper (1679-1756), an English architect known for designing churches and country houses in the Baroque style. 4. Elizabeth Damper (1715-1781), a British writer and poet who published several collections of verse. 5. Henry Damper (1825-1897), a British engineer and inventor who patented improvements to steam engines and boilers.
The surname Damper has a rich history in England, with its origins rooted in occupations related to water management and dam construction. Over the centuries, individuals with this name have made significant contributions in various fields, including law, exploration, architecture, literature, and engineering.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Damper 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. Kent leads with 27 Dampers recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.56x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tonbridge in Kent leads with 11 Dampers recorded in 1881 and an index of 187.07x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge | 11 | 187.07x |
| Ashford | 8 | 503.14x |
| Hastings St Mary | 6 | 298.51x |
| Ashmansworth | 3 | 10000.00x |
| Southampton St Mary | 3 | 48.70x |
| Speldhurst | 3 | 361.45x |
| St Thomas Winchester | 3 | 434.78x |
| Sundridge | 3 | 1111.11x |
| Bermondsey | 2 | 14.05x |
| Boughton Monchelsea | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Rotherfield | 2 | 281.69x |
| Bridgewater | 1 | 47.85x |
| Weeke | 1 | 333.33x |
| Weybridge | 1 | 200.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Damper 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 Damper 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 Damper households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Ag Labourer | 2 |
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Gardener | 2 |
| Assistant Beer House Keeper | 1 |
| Assistant In Bakers Shop | 1 |
| Confectioner | 1 |
| Cordwainer | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farmer Of 3 Acres | 1 |
| Farmers Assistant | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| Greengrocer | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Machinist (Seam) | 1 |
| Railway Signalman | 1 |
| Retired Farmer | 1 |
| Stud Groom | 1 |
| Vicar Of Finsbury | 1 |
| Watch Maker & Jeweller | 1 |
| Watchmaker | 1 |
| Watchmaker & Jeweller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Damper surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 31 in 2016. That gives Damper a modern rank of #35,942.
A surname potentially derived from the French word "dampner" meaning to condemn or damn.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Damper 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.