NameCensus.

UK surname

Dannatt

Possibly from a medieval nickname meaning "bold" or "brave".

In the 1881 census there were 155 people recorded with the Dannatt surname, ranking it #15,174 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 473, ranked #10,409, up from #15,174 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Louth, Caistor and Hull Holy Trinity. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lindsey, North Lincolnshire and East Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dannatt is 514 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 205.2%.

1881 census count

155

Ranked #15,174

Modern count

473

2016, ranked #10,409

Peak year

1999

514 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dannatt had 155 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,174 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 473 in 2016, ranked #10,409.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 345 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Dannatt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dannatt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dannatt 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 140 #13,593
1861 historical 175 #13,409
1881 historical 155 #15,174
1891 historical 233 #13,392
1901 historical 328 #10,943
1911 historical 345 #10,358
1997 modern 489 #9,453
1998 modern 503 #9,547
1999 modern 514 #9,466
2000 modern 513 #9,441
2001 modern 498 #9,498
2002 modern 486 #9,833
2003 modern 462 #10,045
2004 modern 460 #10,120
2005 modern 456 #10,111
2006 modern 459 #10,088
2007 modern 450 #10,335
2008 modern 453 #10,345
2009 modern 464 #10,407
2010 modern 469 #10,533
2011 modern 475 #10,346
2012 modern 484 #10,106
2013 modern 478 #10,362
2014 modern 465 #10,628
2015 modern 465 #10,572
2016 modern 473 #10,409

Geography

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Where Dannatts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Louth, Caistor, Hull Holy Trinity, London parishes and Gainsborough, Paddocks. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Lindsey, North Lincolnshire and East Lindsey. 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 Louth Lincolnshire
2 Caistor Lincolnshire
3 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
4 London parishes London 3
5 Gainsborough, Paddocks Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lindsey 001 West Lindsey
2 North Lincolnshire 021 North Lincolnshire
3 East Lindsey 004 East Lindsey
4 North Lincolnshire 004 North Lincolnshire
5 North Lincolnshire 008 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dannatt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dannatt

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Dannatt surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Dannatt household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Dannatt is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dannatt is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dannatt 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 Dannatt 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 Dannatt, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dannatt

The surname Dannatt is of Anglo-Saxon origin, emerging from the regions of Derbyshire and Staffordshire in England during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "dene" meaning a valley or dell, and "hætt" meaning a hat or hood, suggesting the name may have originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a valley with a distinctive hat or hood.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a John de Denehath is listed in Derbyshire. The spelling variations during this era included Denehath, Denhat, and Denehatte, reflecting the evolution of the name over time.

The Dannatt surname is notably absent from the Domesday Book of 1086, indicating its emergence at a later date in England's history. However, it is mentioned in various medieval records and charters, such as the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from the 13th century.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir Thomas Dannatt (1490-1560), a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Staffordshire during the Tudor period. His descendants continued to hold significant estates in the region for several generations.

In the 17th century, Richard Dannatt (1621-1697) was a notable English clergyman who served as the Rector of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. He was known for his efforts in preserving and restoring the church where Shakespeare was baptized.

During the 18th century, the Dannatt family had established itself in various parts of England, including Lancashire and Yorkshire. One notable figure was John Dannatt (1721-1789), a successful merchant and entrepreneur who played a role in the early industrialization of Manchester.

In more recent times, Sir Andrew Dannatt (1950-) gained prominence as a former Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, serving from 2006 to 2009. He was knighted for his military service and leadership during his distinguished career.

Throughout its history, the Dannatt surname has maintained its roots in England, with various branches of the family contributing to various aspects of society, from landowners and clergy to merchants and military leaders.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dannatt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dannatt 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. Lincolnshire leads with 68 Dannatts recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.13x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 68 28.13x
Yorkshire 44 2.94x
Derbyshire 10 4.22x
Nottinghamshire 9 4.42x
Durham 4 0.89x
Middlesex 4 0.26x
Northamptonshire 4 2.81x
Cheshire 3 0.90x
Surrey 3 0.41x
Cambridgeshire 2 2.09x
Kent 2 0.39x
Essex 1 0.34x
Lancashire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Beighton in Derbyshire leads with 10 Dannatts recorded in 1881 and an index of 934.58x.

Place Total Index
Beighton 10 934.58x
Holy Trinity 9 24.98x
Barrow On Humber 8 571.43x
Farnley Tyas 8 2500.00x
Worksop 8 132.45x
Belton 6 612.24x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 6 158.73x
Gainsborough 5 87.72x
Great Carlton 5 3571.43x
Louth 5 90.25x
North Owersby 5 2777.78x
Bishopwearmouth 4 10.36x
Bradford 4 11.03x
Morton In Gainsborough 4 833.33x
Poplar London 4 14.02x
Redbourne 4 2105.26x
South Kelsey 4 1250.00x
Wellingborough 4 55.94x
Barton St Mary 3 247.93x
Beverley St Mary 3 136.99x
Camberwell 3 3.11x
East Halton 3 909.09x
Holbeck 3 30.21x
Scarborough 3 22.04x
Swine 3 3000.00x
Tetney 3 714.29x
Chester St John Baptist 2 33.33x
Chesterton 2 67.80x
Gayton Le Marsh 2 1538.46x
Greenwich 2 8.31x
Haxey 2 194.17x
Holy Trinity St Mary 2 87.72x
Sculcoates 2 8.42x
St Martin Lincoln 2 89.29x
Bromby 1 909.09x
Chignal Smealy 1 909.09x
Ellerby In Skirlaugh 1 555.56x
Habrough 1 500.00x
Misterton 1 158.73x
Nettleton 1 400.00x
Owston 1 144.93x
Preston 1 2.08x
Runcorn 1 13.00x
South Owersby 1 2000.00x
St Peterin Eastgate 1 133.33x
Swaby 1 476.19x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
George 8
Thomas 7
William 6
Henry 5
Robert 5
Arthur 4
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Tom 3
Isaac 2
Mark 2
Philip 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Brady 1
Charles 1
Dalton 1
Digby 1
Edwin 1
Frederick 1
James 1
Joe 1
Lan... 1
Michael 1
Norman 1
Phil. 1
Samuel 1
Sanderson 1
Willie 1
Wm.H. 1
Wm.I. 1

FAQ

Dannatt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dannatt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 155 people were recorded with the Dannatt surname. That placed it at #15,174 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dannatt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 473 in 2016. That gives Dannatt a modern rank of #10,409.

What does the Dannatt surname mean?

Possibly from a medieval nickname meaning "bold" or "brave".

What does the Dannatt map show?

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