UK surname
Of English origin, an occupational surname denoting a Danish person.
In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Dankins surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #31,604 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ringwood, Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) and Charlton-near-Dover. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dankins is 122 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.6%.
1881 census count
14
Ranked #31,604
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
122 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dankins surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dankins 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 | 33 | #27,390 |
| 1861 | historical | 122 | #18,036 |
| 1881 | historical | 14 | #31,604 |
| 1891 | historical | 82 | #26,494 |
| 1901 | historical | 12 | #32,772 |
| 1911 | historical | 13 | #32,172 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ringwood, Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Charlton-near-Dover, Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith and Southampton St Mary. 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 | Ringwood | Hampshire |
| 2 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 3 | Charlton-near-Dover | Kent |
| 4 | Llandaff (incl. Canton), Leckwith | Glamorganshire |
| 5 | Southampton St Mary | Hampshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dankins 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 Dankins, 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 Dankins surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dankins 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, Dankins 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 Dankins is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dankins, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Dankins has its roots in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "denu," which means "valley," combined with the suffix "-kin" or "-kin," indicating a diminutive form or a familial relationship.
This surname was initially found in areas such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, where many families bearing this name resided. It is thought to have been derived from a place name, possibly referring to individuals who lived in or near a small valley or dene.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dankins can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated 1273, where a person named William Denekin was mentioned. This suggests that the name had already been established by that time.
In the 14th century, the Dankins surname appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, where a Johannes Dankyn was listed. This variation in spelling was common during that era, reflecting the evolution of the name over time.
Notably, the Dankins name was also present in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and tenants compiled in 1086 under the orders of William the Conqueror. This ancient document serves as a valuable source for tracing the origins of many English surnames.
Among the notable individuals bearing the Dankins surname throughout history are:
1. Sir John Dankins (1554-1631), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Westbury during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2. William Dankins (1670-1728), a renowned clockmaker and horologist who contributed significantly to the development of timekeeping mechanisms in the 17th century. 3. Elizabeth Dankins (1745-1820), a prominent philanthropist and social reformer in Yorkshire, known for her efforts in establishing schools and improving living conditions for the underprivileged. 4. Thomas Dankins (1812-1887), an influential writer and poet whose works explored themes of nature and the English countryside. 5. Emily Dankins (1867-1952), a pioneering female scientist and one of the first women to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in the early 20th century.
While the Dankins surname may have evolved over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the valleys and denes of medieval England, reflecting the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the British Isles.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dankins 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. Middlesex leads with 8 Dankins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.86x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 8 | 5.86x |
| Monmouthshire | 3 | 30.43x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 10.64x |
| Kent | 1 | 2.15x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.62x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paddington London in Middlesex leads with 6 Dankins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Paddington London | 6 | 119.52x |
| Trevethin | 3 | 322.58x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 46.08x |
| North Meols | 1 | 63.29x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 78.13x |
| Stoke Newington London | 1 | 94.34x |
| Welwyn | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dankins 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 Dankins 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 Dankins households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Scholar | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Haulier | 1 |
| Ladys Maid | 1 |
| Omnibus Conductor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Dankins surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Dankins a modern rank of #38,594.
Of English origin, an occupational surname denoting a Danish person.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dankins 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.