NameCensus.

UK surname

Darr

An English occupational surname referring to someone who made darts or lived near a deer park.

In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Darr surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 420, ranked #11,414, up from #30,609 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Belford, London parishes and Newent. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Burnley, Bradford and Ealing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Darr is 444 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1900.0%.

1881 census count

21

Ranked #30,609

Modern count

420

2016, ranked #11,414

Peak year

2010

444 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Darr had 21 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,609 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 420 in 2016, ranked #11,414.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 101 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Darr surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Darr surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Darr 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 101 #20,955
1881 historical 21 #30,609
1891 historical 82 #26,494
1901 historical 38 #29,914
1911 historical 20 #31,288
1997 modern 291 #13,792
1998 modern 315 #13,452
1999 modern 324 #13,288
2000 modern 328 #13,129
2001 modern 334 #12,789
2002 modern 369 #12,144
2003 modern 371 #11,901
2004 modern 372 #11,886
2005 modern 390 #11,397
2006 modern 395 #11,364
2007 modern 412 #11,116
2008 modern 406 #11,328
2009 modern 427 #11,129
2010 modern 444 #11,017
2011 modern 431 #11,155
2012 modern 423 #11,195
2013 modern 418 #11,533
2014 modern 418 #11,614
2015 modern 420 #11,458
2016 modern 420 #11,414

Geography

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Where Darrs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Belford, London parishes, Newent, Eynesford and St Dunstan Stepney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Burnley, Bradford, Ealing and Waltham Forest. 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 Belford Northumberland
2 London parishes London 3
3 Newent Gloucestershire
4 Eynesford Kent
5 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Burnley 003 Burnley
2 Bradford 030 Bradford
3 Ealing 002 Ealing
4 Waltham Forest 020 Waltham Forest
5 Waltham Forest 011 Waltham Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Darr

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Darr

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Darr surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Darr household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Darr is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Darr is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Darr falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Darr is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Darr, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Darr

The surname Darr originates from Germany, with records dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the old German word "Darre," which translates to "dry" or "arid," possibly referring to someone who lived in a dry or arid region.

The name first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, such as the Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis, a collection of medieval documents from the Margraviate of Brandenburg. One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was Johannes Darr, a landowner in the village of Dörrauen, near the city of Cottbus, mentioned in a document from 1238.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name spread across various regions of Germany, with variations in spelling like Darre, Dörr, and Dörre. It was also found in areas of modern-day Poland and the Czech Republic, which were part of the Holy Roman Empire at the time.

In the 15th century, the surname Darr appeared in the Berne Shaker Records, a document detailing the activities of a religious community in Berne, Switzerland. One notable individual from this period was Hans Darr, a merchant and member of the Berne City Council, who lived from 1425 to 1491.

The 16th century saw the name Darr gain prominence in the city of Nuremberg, a center of trade and craftsmanship in southern Germany. Johann Darr (1495-1568) was a renowned goldsmith and engraver, known for his intricate metalwork and contributions to the Renaissance art movement.

In the 17th century, the surname Darr was found in the records of the University of Heidelberg, with several scholars and academics bearing the name. One notable figure was Johann Georg Darr (1637-1701), a professor of law and author of various legal treatises.

The 18th century brought forth Johann Philipp Darr (1725-1789), a German composer and organist who served in the court of the Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg. His works include numerous church cantatas and organ compositions.

During the 19th century, Friedrich Darr (1818-1892) gained recognition as a prominent German landscape painter, known for his depictions of the Black Forest region and the Bavarian Alps.

Throughout history, the surname Darr has been carried by individuals from various professions and backgrounds, reflecting its wide distribution across German-speaking regions and its enduring presence over several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Darr families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Darr 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 5 Darrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.20x.

County Total Index
Devon 5 11.20x
Cornwall 4 16.47x
Yorkshire 4 1.88x
Middlesex 3 1.40x
Berkshire 1 6.21x
Channel Islands 1 15.75x
Herefordshire 1 11.38x
Lancashire 1 0.39x
Suffolk 1 3.83x
Warwickshire 1 1.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Damerel in Devon leads with 5 Darrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 160.26x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Damerel 5 160.26x
Forrabury 4 20000.00x
Kildale 4 20000.00x
Mile End Old Town London 2 43.86x
Birmingham 1 5.55x
Ipswich St Clement 1 151.52x
Kensington London 1 8.39x
Manchester 1 8.74x
Newbury 1 192.31x
Parkhold 1 0.00x
St Saviour 1 285.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Ellen 2
Mary 2
Amelia 1
Catherine 1
Lizzie 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 3
John 2
William 2
Charles 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Samuel 1

Top occupations

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 Darr households.

FAQ

Darr surname: questions and answers

How common was the Darr surname in 1881?

In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Darr surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Darr surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 420 in 2016. That gives Darr a modern rank of #11,414.

What does the Darr surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who made darts or lived near a deer park.

What does the Darr map show?

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