NameCensus.

UK surname

Dandy

An English surname likely derived from the French word "dandiner" meaning to sway or strut.

In the 1881 census there were 554 people recorded with the Dandy surname, ranking it #6,228 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 720, ranked #7,543, down from #6,228 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to North Meols, Tarleton and Standish. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chorley, Wigan and Cheshire West and Chester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dandy is 828 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.0%.

1881 census count

554

Ranked #6,228

Modern count

720

2016, ranked #7,543

Peak year

1999

828 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dandy had 554 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,228 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 720 in 2016, ranked #7,543.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 675 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dandy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dandy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dandy 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 346 #6,798
1861 historical 415 #6,187
1881 historical 554 #6,228
1891 historical 514 #7,262
1901 historical 583 #7,232
1911 historical 675 #6,256
1997 modern 810 #6,472
1998 modern 799 #6,757
1999 modern 828 #6,620
2000 modern 807 #6,721
2001 modern 780 #6,776
2002 modern 805 #6,742
2003 modern 779 #6,805
2004 modern 780 #6,808
2005 modern 748 #6,975
2006 modern 725 #7,170
2007 modern 722 #7,259
2008 modern 720 #7,322
2009 modern 739 #7,331
2010 modern 762 #7,301
2011 modern 739 #7,396
2012 modern 719 #7,460
2013 modern 722 #7,554
2014 modern 729 #7,543
2015 modern 727 #7,510
2016 modern 720 #7,543

Geography

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Where Dandys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around North Meols, Tarleton, Standish, Kilham and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chorley, Wigan, Cheshire West and Chester and Newark and Sherwood. 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 North Meols Lancashire
2 Tarleton Lancashire
3 Standish Lancashire
4 Kilham Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chorley 007 Chorley
2 Wigan 018 Wigan
3 Cheshire West and Chester 039 Cheshire West and Chester
4 Wigan 002 Wigan
5 Newark and Sherwood 008 Newark and Sherwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dandy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dandy

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Dandy is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dandy is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dandy falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dandy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dandy

The surname Dandy is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "dendy," which referred to a proud or arrogant person. This term likely evolved from the Old French word "dandi," meaning a man who pays excessive attention to his appearance.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Dandy can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex, dated 1230, where a person named William Dandi is listed. This suggests that the surname had already been established by the 13th century.

In the 16th century, the name Dandy appeared in various historical records across England. Notably, a Robert Dandy was mentioned in the Parish Registers of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, in 1558. The surname was also found in the Hearth Tax Rolls of Essex in 1670, indicating its presence in that region.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Dandy gained popularity and was associated with fashionable and stylish individuals. One notable bearer of the surname was Charles Dandy (1770-1832), an English artist and engraver known for his portraits of high society figures.

Another prominent individual with the surname Dandy was Walter Dandy (1886-1946), an American neurosurgeon renowned for his contributions to the field of brain surgery. He pioneered techniques for treating brain tumors and developed innovative surgical instruments.

In the literary world, William Dandy (1752-1820) was an English poet and playwright. He is best known for his satirical works, including "The Newgate Calendar" and "The Travels of Tristram Shandy."

Moving into the 19th century, Edward Dandy (1819-1898) was a British architect who designed notable buildings in London, such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Grosvenor Hotel.

Lastly, John Dandy (1921-2008) was a British actor and comedian, famous for his appearances in television shows like "Steptoe and Son" and "Fawlty Towers."

Throughout its history, the surname Dandy has been associated with various place names and older spellings. For instance, the village of Dandy in Derbyshire, England, may have influenced the surname's development. Additionally, variations like Dandye, Dandee, and Dandier have been documented in historical records.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dandy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dandy 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. Lancashire leads with 254 Dandys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.96x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 254 3.96x
Yorkshire 76 1.42x
Warwickshire 41 3.01x
Cheshire 38 3.19x
Staffordshire 23 1.26x
Worcestershire 23 3.26x
Surrey 20 0.76x
Middlesex 18 0.33x
Durham 13 0.81x
Northamptonshire 8 1.57x
Kent 6 0.33x
Norfolk 6 0.72x
Sussex 5 0.55x
Cumberland 3 0.64x
Essex 3 0.28x
Gloucestershire 3 0.28x
Hertfordshire 3 0.81x
Leicestershire 3 0.50x
Lincolnshire 2 0.23x
Oxfordshire 2 0.60x
Hampshire 1 0.09x
Isle of Man 1 1.00x
Monmouthshire 1 0.26x
Shropshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tarleton in Lancashire leads with 42 Dandys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1189.80x.

Place Total Index
Tarleton 42 1189.80x
Birmingham 25 5.50x
Padiham 22 142.03x
Kilham 19 844.44x
North Meols 18 28.68x
Great Bolton 17 20.01x
Bridlington 15 122.35x
Willenhall 15 43.90x
Aston 13 3.46x
Lathom 13 167.96x
Barrow In Furness 12 13.76x
Lymm 12 138.41x
Manchester 12 4.16x
Standish With Langtree 12 151.90x
Wimbledon 11 37.21x
Thwing 10 1234.57x
Cradley 9 141.07x
Ormskirk 9 73.35x
Farington 8 214.48x
Feckenham 8 99.01x
Great Boughton 8 194.65x
Liscard 8 37.23x
Peterborough 8 21.74x
South Otterington 8 1230.77x
Aspull 7 46.42x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 7 10.05x
Pendleton In Salford 7 9.16x
Shevington 7 238.91x
Everton 6 2.94x
Hackney London 6 1.98x
Hesketh Cum Becconsall 6 375.00x
Kirby Bedon 6 1200.00x
Marske In Guisbrough 6 63.09x
Brandon Byshottles 5 24.83x
Eccleston In Chorley 5 301.20x
Horsham 5 28.25x
Newton 5 10.12x
Ulnes Walton 5 704.23x
Cottingham 4 34.66x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 3.67x
Edmonton 4 9.19x
Leyland 4 35.84x
Rixton With Glazebrook 4 245.40x
Walsall Foreign 4 4.24x
Wigan 4 4.46x
Wybunbury 4 363.64x
Cummersdale 3 188.68x
Dalton In Wigan 3 326.09x
Dishley Cum Thorpacre 3 769.23x
Great Driffield 3 27.30x
Little Bolton 3 3.64x
Newland 3 33.67x
Rumworth 3 32.75x
Alfrick 2 240.96x
Bollin Fee 2 37.81x
Bretherton 2 152.67x
Chiswick 2 6.77x
Edgbaston 2 4.73x
Elmbridge 2 322.58x
Hertford St John 2 36.04x
Hindley 2 7.32x
Islington London 2 0.38x
Kingswinford 2 3.02x
Kirkdale 2 1.85x
Lambeth 2 0.42x
Merton 2 43.38x
Moss Side 2 5.93x
Newington 2 1.00x
Oldham 2 0.97x
Preston 2 1.17x
Rufford 2 119.05x
Seaton Wassand 2 256.41x
South Weald 2 21.88x
Spalding 2 11.66x
Streatham 2 4.99x
Chelsea London 1 0.61x
Leven 1 63.69x
St Pancras London 1 0.23x
Tranmere 1 2.28x
Withernwick 1 120.48x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 44
Elizabeth 24
Ellen 18
Sarah 17
Ann 16
Margaret 12
Jane 11
Alice 10
Annie 9
Martha 7
Eliza 6
Emily 5
Hannah 5
Louisa 5
Maria 5
Ada 4
Emma 4
Florence 4
Rebecca 4
Ruth 4
Susan 4
Frances 3
Margt. 3
Selina 3
Cathrine 2
Charlotte 2
Eleanor 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Lizzie 2
Maggie 2
Susannah 2
Anna 1
Betsy 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
Catherine 1
Eliz. 1
Elizth.A. 1
Esther 1
Eva 1
Janet 1
Jeannette 1
Jessie 1
Leila 1
Lily 1
Lousia 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 34
John 30
Thomas 24
James 23
Henry 20
George 18
Charles 15
Richard 12
Edward 11
Joseph 10
Alfred 6
Thos. 5
Robert 4
Samuel 4
Walter 4
Arthur 3
Herbert 3
Albert 2
Christopher 2
Enoch 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Jacob 2
Nicholas 2
Wm. 2
Adolphe 1
Alf. 1
Andrew 1
Benjamin 1
David 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Havelock 1
Isaac 1
Jas. 1
Jeremiah 1
Lawrence 1
Mark 1
Mathias 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Richd.Parker 1
Sidney 1
Simon 1
W.E. 1
Will. 1
Willm. 1
Wm.Albert 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Dandy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dandy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 554 people were recorded with the Dandy surname. That placed it at #6,228 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dandy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 720 in 2016. That gives Dandy a modern rank of #7,543.

What does the Dandy surname mean?

An English surname likely derived from the French word "dandiner" meaning to sway or strut.

What does the Dandy map show?

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