NameCensus.

UK surname

Darch

An occupational surname for one who watched over or guarded deer.

In the 1881 census there were 549 people recorded with the Darch surname, ranking it #6,284 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 798, ranked #6,931, down from #6,284 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Winkleigh and Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rushmoor, Taunton Deane and North Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Darch is 870 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.4%.

1881 census count

549

Ranked #6,284

Modern count

798

2016, ranked #6,931

Peak year

1911

870 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Darch had 549 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,284 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 798 in 2016, ranked #6,931.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 870 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Darch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Darch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Darch 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 378 #6,315
1861 historical 365 #7,009
1881 historical 549 #6,284
1891 historical 568 #6,687
1901 historical 746 #5,965
1911 historical 870 #5,109
1997 modern 789 #6,610
1998 modern 824 #6,601
1999 modern 845 #6,515
2000 modern 808 #6,714
2001 modern 791 #6,702
2002 modern 816 #6,660
2003 modern 791 #6,710
2004 modern 801 #6,664
2005 modern 776 #6,764
2006 modern 757 #6,935
2007 modern 765 #6,947
2008 modern 779 #6,903
2009 modern 790 #6,966
2010 modern 811 #6,940
2011 modern 821 #6,797
2012 modern 797 #6,851
2013 modern 805 #6,916
2014 modern 808 #6,936
2015 modern 798 #6,947
2016 modern 798 #6,931

Geography

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Where Darchs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Winkleigh, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, London parishes and Combmartin. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rushmoor, Taunton Deane, North Devon and Sedgemoor. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Winkleigh Devon
3 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Combmartin Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rushmoor 012 Rushmoor
2 Taunton Deane 012 Taunton Deane
3 North Devon 002 North Devon
4 North Devon 014 North Devon
5 Sedgemoor 007 Sedgemoor

Forenames

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First names often paired with Darch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Darch

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Darch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Darch household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Darch is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Darch 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

Darch falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Darch 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 Darch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Darch

The surname Darch is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It likely derived from the Old English word 'deor,' meaning 'dear' or 'beloved,' and the suffix '-ic,' denoting someone of that quality. This suggests the name may have initially referred to a cherished or favored individual.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it is spelled 'Dyrryk.' This variation highlights the fluidity of spelling during that period. Another early reference is found in the Calendarium Genealogicum, a 14th-century record of English families, which mentions a William Darch from Berkshire.

The Darch surname has been associated with various locations throughout England, including the counties of Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Somerset. In the 16th century, the name was spelled 'Darshe' in records from the parish of Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire.

Notable individuals bearing the Darch surname include:

1. John Darch (c. 1540-1615), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Bishop of Chichester. 2. Thomas Darch (1620-1680), a royalist soldier during the English Civil War and later a member of parliament. 3. Elizabeth Darch (1763-1845), a renowned English botanist and artist known for her intricate illustrations of plants. 4. William Darch (1786-1858), a British naval captain who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a surveyor of shipping for the Port of London. 5. Henry Darch (1840-1917), a prominent English businessman and philanthropist who founded the Darch Trust, which supported education and charitable causes.

While the Darch surname may not be as widespread as some others, it holds a rich history dating back several centuries, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout England's past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Darch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Darch 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. Devon leads with 265 Darchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.64x.

County Total Index
Devon 265 23.64x
Somerset 117 13.50x
Gloucestershire 38 3.60x
Surrey 36 1.37x
Middlesex 27 0.50x
Cornwall 13 2.13x
Glamorgan 10 1.07x
Kent 9 0.49x
Lancashire 9 0.14x
Worcestershire 9 1.28x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.92x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.41x
Royal Navy 3 4.68x
Cheshire 2 0.17x
Hampshire 2 0.18x
Sussex 2 0.22x
Berkshire 1 0.25x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.29x
Merionethshire 1 1.01x
Warwickshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tiverton in Devon leads with 23 Darchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.11x.

Place Total Index
Tiverton 23 119.11x
Combmartin 17 699.59x
Wellington 17 144.68x
Bishops Tawton 16 457.14x
Newington 16 8.04x
Pilton 15 405.41x
Sampford Peverell 15 1260.50x
Wembworthy 15 1875.00x
Bideford 13 108.24x
Stoke St Mary 13 3095.24x
Barnstaple 12 68.22x
Clifton 12 22.48x
Cruwys Morchard 12 1071.43x
Plymouth St Andrew 12 13.90x
Winkleigh 11 488.89x
Ilfracombe 10 86.66x
Paddington London 10 5.05x
Catcott 9 891.09x
Clevedon 9 99.89x
Exeter St Mary Steps 9 355.73x
Blackford 8 3076.92x
Brompton Ralph 8 1025.64x
Lambeth 8 1.70x
Langtree 8 588.24x
Oystermouth 8 110.34x
Topsham 8 151.23x
Toxteth Park 8 3.70x
Edington 7 875.00x
Nailsea 7 204.68x
Tavistock 7 54.82x
West Buckland 7 419.16x
Bristol St George 6 12.29x
Rotherhithe 6 9.02x
Skilgate 6 1500.00x
Westbury On Trym 6 16.77x
Bawdrip 5 684.93x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 5.03x
Gerrans 5 304.88x
Sandford 5 182.48x
Stoke Canon 5 632.91x
Atherington 4 421.05x
Bratton Fleming 4 412.37x
Chatham 4 7.91x
Hatherleigh 4 143.37x
Islington London 4 0.77x
Stratton 4 120.85x
Yardley 4 22.23x
Ashreigney 3 241.94x
Battersea 3 1.51x
Berrynarbor 3 234.38x
Claines 3 15.54x
Colebrooke 3 229.01x
Dawlish 3 35.89x
Edmonton 3 6.91x
Landkey 3 272.73x
Langley Marish 3 75.00x
Mortlake 3 25.66x
Nottingham St Peter 3 37.08x
Plymouth Charles The 3 6.08x
Rochester St Margaret 3 15.49x
Royal Navy 3 5.47x
Westminster St John 3 4.57x
Witheridge 3 158.73x
Woolavington 3 461.54x
Yarnscombe 3 612.24x
Yeovil 3 17.04x
Bethnal Green London 2 0.86x
Brighton 2 1.09x
Forrabury 2 363.64x
Gloucester St John Baptist 2 29.33x
Hammersmith London 2 1.51x
Neath 2 10.48x
Runcorn 2 7.30x
Sidmouth 2 31.15x
St Marylebone London 2 0.70x
Stoke Damerel 2 2.55x
Taunton St James 2 15.82x
Tetbury 2 33.39x
Withiel Florey 2 400.00x
Worcester St Swithin 2 151.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 51
Elizabeth 27
Ann 15
Sarah 15
Emily 12
Emma 11
Ellen 10
Alice 7
Annie 7
Eliza 7
Fanny 5
Jane 5
Eva 4
Louisa 4
Matilda 4
Selina 4
Harriet 3
Lucy 3
Sophia 3
Ada 2
Beatrice 2
Bessie 2
Betsy 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Gertrude 2
Laura 2
Lilly 2
Lily 2
Lucey 2
Maria 2
Melinda 2
Rosa 2
Ruth 2
Anna 1
Anne 1
Betsey 1
Blanch 1
Eliz. 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Leonora 1
Thomasine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 45
William 45
Thomas 21
James 19
Henry 17
Richard 15
Robert 10
Francis 8
Charles 7
Frederick 6
George 6
Albert 5
Alfred 5
Frank 5
Walter 4
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Samuel 3
Anthony 2
Arthur 2
Bickham 2
Edwin 2
Elias 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Jno. 2
Joseph 2
Sidney 2
Tom 2
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Eliza 1
F. 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Heny 1
Isaac 1
Jesse 1
Mark 1
Mathew 1
Otto 1
Philip 1
Reubin 1
Richd. 1
Roland 1
Saml.Ernest 1
Sydenham 1
W.F.Kerslake 1
Willie 1
Wm.T. 1

FAQ

Darch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Darch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 549 people were recorded with the Darch surname. That placed it at #6,284 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Darch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 798 in 2016. That gives Darch a modern rank of #6,931.

What does the Darch surname mean?

An occupational surname for one who watched over or guarded deer.

What does the Darch map show?

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