UK surname
A medieval surname derived from the French word "d'anse" meaning "of the valley."
In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Dans surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 19, ranked #36,760, down from #29,218 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Bedford St Paul and Ynys-Cynhaiarn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dans is 201 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 38.7%.
1881 census count
31
Ranked #29,218
Modern count
19
2016, ranked #36,760
Peak year
1861
201 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dans surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dans surname density by area, 1891 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 | 54 | #23,577 |
| 1861 | historical | 201 | #11,949 |
| 1881 | historical | 31 | #29,218 |
| 1891 | historical | 117 | #21,658 |
| 1901 | historical | 15 | #32,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 20 | #31,288 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 6 | #37,724 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 8 | #37,689 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 11 | #37,467 |
| 2016 | modern | 19 | #36,760 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Bedford St Paul, Ynys-Cynhaiarn, St Dunstan Stepney and Lambeth. 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 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Bedford St Paul | Bedfordshire |
| 3 | Ynys-Cynhaiarn | Merionethshire |
| 4 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dans 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 Dans, 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 Dans surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dans 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, Dans 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 Dans is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dans, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Dans is of French origin, deriving from the Middle French word "dans" which means "in" or "inside". It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of France, particularly in the provinces of Normandy and Picardy, during the 12th and 13th centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dans can be found in the Cartulaire de l'Abbaye de Saint-Père de Chartres, a medieval manuscript dating back to the 12th century. This document mentions a man named Renaud Dans, who was a landowner in the village of Chartres.
During the Middle Ages, the name Dans was often associated with individuals who lived within the confines of a town or village. It is possible that the name was initially used as a descriptive term to identify those who resided "inside" the walls or boundaries of a settlement, as opposed to those living in the countryside.
The earliest known bearer of the surname Dans was Jean Dans, born around 1230 in the village of Rouen, Normandy. He was a respected merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.
In the 14th century, the Dans family gained prominence in the region of Picardy, where several members held positions of authority. One notable figure was Pierre Dans, born in 1345 in the town of Amiens, who served as a magistrate and advisor to the Count of Picardy.
During the Renaissance period, the name Dans was also found in other parts of France, including the regions of Burgundy and Champagne. One famous bearer of the name was Jacques Dans, born in 1512 in Dijon, who was a renowned poet and playwright during the reign of King Francis I.
Throughout the centuries, the Dans family has produced numerous notable individuals, including scholars, artists, and military leaders. In the 18th century, Marie-Anne Dans, born in 1721 in Paris, was a celebrated painter and portraitist who received commissions from the French nobility.
Another prominent figure was General Louis Dans, born in 1785 in Lyon, who served in the Napoleonic Wars and was decorated for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.
While the surname Dans originated in France, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period in northern France, where it emerged as a descriptive name for those living within the confines of a settlement.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dans 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. Warwickshire leads with 10 Dans' recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.11x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 10 | 13.11x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 2.65x |
| Kent | 6 | 5.82x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 3.37x |
| Surrey | 2 | 1.36x |
| Angus | 1 | 3.57x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.61x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.33x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 10 Dans' recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.35x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 10 | 39.35x |
| Deptford St Paul | 6 | 75.38x |
| Bristol St James In | 2 | 229.89x |
| Chelsea London | 2 | 21.95x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 15.04x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 5.18x |
| Dewsbury | 1 | 32.57x |
| Dundee | 1 | 9.56x |
| Hampton Wick London | 1 | 454.55x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 15.53x |
| Portsea | 1 | 8.23x |
| St Andrew Holborn London | 1 | 76.34x |
| Stoke Newington London | 1 | 42.37x |
| Wandsworth | 1 | 34.36x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 33.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dans 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 Dans 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 Dans households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Errand Boy | 2 |
| Boot Binder | 1 |
| Cigar Maker | 1 |
| Cook Dom | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Grocers Assist | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Housemaid (Dom) | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer For Corporation | 1 |
| Messenger | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shoddy & Mungo Merchant (Cloth Dealer) | 1 |
| Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Wood Choper | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Dans surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 19 in 2016. That gives Dans a modern rank of #36,760.
A medieval surname derived from the French word "d'anse" meaning "of the valley."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dans 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.