UK surname
A diminutive of the given name Daniel, an English surname derived from Hebrew meaning "God is my judge".
In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Danny surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 68, ranked #33,826, down from #32,765 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, Dudley and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Danny is 204 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 871.4%.
1881 census count
7
Ranked #32,765
Modern count
68
2016, ranked #33,826
Peak year
1861
204 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Danny surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Danny 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 | 23 | #29,205 |
| 1861 | historical | 204 | #11,814 |
| 1881 | historical | 7 | #32,765 |
| 1891 | historical | 66 | #28,541 |
| 1901 | historical | 5 | #33,728 |
| 1911 | historical | 11 | #32,463 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 33 | #34,532 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 24 | #35,498 |
| 2001 | modern | 23 | #35,451 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 28 | #35,801 |
| 2008 | modern | 30 | #35,736 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 40 | #35,403 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 41 | #35,328 |
| 2013 | modern | 50 | #34,891 |
| 2014 | modern | 50 | #34,927 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 68 | #33,826 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, Dudley, London parishes, Lincoln St Peter at Gowts and Wigan. 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 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 4 | Lincoln St Peter at Gowts | Lincolnshire |
| 5 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Danny 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 Danny, 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 Danny surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Danny 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, Danny 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 Danny is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Danny, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Danny is believed to have originated in the British Isles, specifically in England and Scotland, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "Dene," which means "a valley" or "a low-lying area." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to people who lived in or near valleys or low-lying regions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Danny can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Deni" or "Denia," referring to individuals living in specific locations associated with valleys or low-lying areas.
During the Middle Ages, the name Danny underwent various spelling variations, such as "Denny," "Dennie," and "Denney," reflecting the regional dialects and linguistic variations of the time. These variations were often influenced by the local pronunciation and spelling conventions in different parts of England and Scotland.
The surname Danny is also connected to several place names in the British Isles. For example, the town of Danny in North Yorkshire, England, may have contributed to the spread and adoption of the surname in that region. Additionally, the village of Denny in Stirlingshire, Scotland, could have been a source of the name for families residing in that area.
One notable figure in history who bore the surname Danny was Sir Anthony Danny (c. 1600-1667), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset in the 17th century. Another prominent individual was Robert Danny (1758-1823), a Scottish minister and author who wrote extensively on religious topics.
In the literary realm, the surname Danny appeared in the works of renowned authors such as William Shakespeare, who mentioned the name in his plays. Additionally, the English poet and playwright John Dryden (1631-1700) featured characters with the surname Danny in his literary works.
Other historical figures with the surname Danny include John Danny (1640-1718), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics, and Elizabeth Danny (1674-1742), a prominent English botanist and naturalist known for her extensive collection of plant specimens.
While the surname Danny may have originated in the British Isles, it has since spread to various parts of the world, likely due to migration and the influence of the British Empire. However, it remains closely associated with its historical roots and the geographical features that inspired its derivation.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Danny 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 3 Dannys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 3 | 5.13x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 18.48x |
| Surrey | 1 | 3.51x |
| Sussex | 1 | 10.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Martyr London in Middlesex leads with 3 Dannys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2500.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St George Martyr London | 3 | 2500.00x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 1 | 88.50x |
| Brighton | 1 | 50.25x |
| Chertsey | 1 | 555.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Danny 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 Danny 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 Danny households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Cook Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Danny surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 68 in 2016. That gives Danny a modern rank of #33,826.
A diminutive of the given name Daniel, an English surname derived from Hebrew meaning "God is my judge".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Danny 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.