NameCensus.

UK surname

Darroch

A habitational surname derived from a place name of uncertain origin.

In the 1881 census there were 784 people recorded with the Darroch surname, ranking it #4,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,358, ranked #4,439, up from #4,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Craignish and Greenock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central, Greenock Town Centre and East Central and Bridgeton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Darroch is 1,362 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 73.2%.

1881 census count

784

Ranked #4,738

Modern count

1,358

2016, ranked #4,439

Peak year

2010

1,362 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Darroch had 784 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,358 in 2016, ranked #4,439.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,068 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Darroch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Darroch surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Darroch 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 506 #4,943
1861 historical 509 #5,134
1881 historical 784 #4,738
1891 historical 921 #4,487
1901 historical 1,068 #4,522
1911 historical 83 #24,531
1997 modern 1,227 #4,625
1998 modern 1,264 #4,682
1999 modern 1,272 #4,693
2000 modern 1,276 #4,655
2001 modern 1,259 #4,623
2002 modern 1,283 #4,626
2003 modern 1,242 #4,666
2004 modern 1,244 #4,659
2005 modern 1,236 #4,641
2006 modern 1,241 #4,640
2007 modern 1,261 #4,609
2008 modern 1,293 #4,533
2009 modern 1,316 #4,557
2010 modern 1,362 #4,512
2011 modern 1,325 #4,559
2012 modern 1,305 #4,557
2013 modern 1,327 #4,565
2014 modern 1,357 #4,505
2015 modern 1,351 #4,479
2016 modern 1,358 #4,439

Geography

Back to top

Where Darrochs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Craignish, Greenock, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central, Greenock Town Centre and East Central, Bridgeton, Whisky Isles and Port Glasgow Upper East. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Craignish Argyll
3 Greenock Renfrew
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Port Glasgow Mid, East and Central Inverclyde
2 Greenock Town Centre and East Central Inverclyde
3 Bridgeton Glasgow City
4 Whisky Isles Argyll and Bute
5 Port Glasgow Upper East Inverclyde

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Darroch

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Darroch

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Darroch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Darroch household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Darroch is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Darroch is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Darroch 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 Darroch is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Darroch

The surname Darroch has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "dóirlinn," which means "the threshing-floor of a barn." This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name where a threshing floor or barn was located.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1542, where it appears as "Darloch." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 17th century, the name Darroch was prominent in the parishes of Mungo and Kilwinning, located in the county of Ayrshire, Scotland. This region was likely the original homeland of the Darroch family.

The Darroch name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. In the 16th century, there was a record of a John Darroch, a merchant in the town of Irvine, Ayrshire, who lived around 1580.

In the 18th century, Captain Donald Darroch (1728-1802) was a Scottish naval officer who served in the Royal Navy. He played a role in the capture of Havana, Cuba, from the Spanish during the Seven Years' War.

Another notable figure was Robert Darroch (1756-1827), a Scottish minister and author. He served as the minister of Kilwinning Parish Church in Ayrshire and published several religious works.

In the 19th century, Sir Charles Darroch (1812-1896) was a Scottish lawyer and judge. He served as Lord Justice Clerk, one of the highest judicial positions in Scotland, from 1888 until his death.

Lastly, John Darroch (1876-1964) was a Scottish footballer who played as a defender for several clubs, including Rangers and Ayr United, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Throughout its history, the Darroch name has been associated with various place names and locations in Scotland, particularly in the Ayrshire region, where it is believed to have originated. The name's evolution from "Darloch" to its current spelling reflects the linguistic changes over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Darroch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Darroch 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. Lanarkshire leads with 262 Darrochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.63x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 262 10.63x
Renfrewshire 194 32.86x
Argyllshire 185 87.24x
Ayrshire 50 8.77x
Dunbartonshire 39 19.05x
Angus 16 2.27x
Lancashire 7 0.08x
Durham 4 0.18x
Inverness-shire 3 1.32x
Middlesex 3 0.04x
Surrey 3 0.08x
Midlothian 2 0.20x
Royal Navy 2 2.20x
Shetland 2 2.57x
Stirlingshire 2 0.71x
West Lothian 2 1.74x
Buteshire 1 2.17x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.32x
Isle of Man 1 0.71x
Orkney 1 1.19x
Perthshire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 104 Darrochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.07x.

Place Total Index
Govan 104 17.07x
Jura 98 4734.30x
Barony 83 13.31x
West Greenock 71 67.00x
Glasgow 43 9.83x
Kildalton 26 464.29x
Abbey 22 24.42x
East Greenock 16 28.70x
Paisley High Church 16 34.04x
Kilbirnie 15 109.57x
Cardross 13 52.89x
Paisley Middle Church 13 37.82x
Campbeltown 12 46.91x
Kilbarchan 12 66.93x
Maryhill 11 22.81x
Montrose 10 23.38x
Cambusnethan 9 16.45x
Old Kilpatrick 9 37.21x
Port Glasgow 9 31.53x
Eastwood 8 22.00x
Kirkmichael 8 153.85x
Ardrossan 7 35.46x
Bowmore 7 143.44x
Inverkip 7 50.29x
Kilarrow 7 308.37x
Beith 6 35.27x
Dailly 6 103.09x
Dundee 6 2.28x
Dunoon Kilmun 6 36.28x
Glassary 6 52.54x
Houston Killallan 6 105.08x
Killean Kilchenzie 6 166.67x
Barrow In Furness 5 4.07x
Dalziel 5 18.86x
Knapdale North 5 207.47x
New Kilpatrick 5 25.67x
Crook Billy Row 4 13.78x
Middle Greenock 4 24.83x
New Monkland 4 5.49x
Renfrew 4 20.51x
Bonhill 3 9.13x
Colonsay Oronsay 3 288.46x
Ealing 3 4.41x
Girvan 3 20.96x
Kilninian Kilmore 3 46.15x
Roseneath 3 76.34x
Row 3 11.33x
Wimbledon 3 7.20x
East West Greenock 2 210.53x
Edinburgh High Church 2 31.25x
Largs 2 14.89x
Luss 2 105.26x
Neilston 2 6.75x
Sandsting Aitsting 2 28.37x
Slamannan 2 13.00x
Whitburn 2 12.06x
Anderston 1 153.85x
Boleskine Abertarff 1 26.53x
Bothwell 1 1.50x
Eglwys Rhos 1 25.84x
Everton 1 0.35x
Fort Augustusor 1 625.00x
Kilcalmonell 1 20.83x
Kilcalmonell Kilberry 1 83.33x
Kilmalcolm 1 14.14x
Kirkintilloch 1 3.60x
Knapdale South 1 13.72x
Lezayre 1 15.75x
Maybole 1 5.76x
Old Cumnock 1 7.88x
Paisley Low Church 1 5.35x
Perth East Church 1 3.10x
Pilkington 1 2.91x
Portree 1 11.88x
Rothesay 1 4.47x
Shettleston 1 4.53x
Stevenston 1 6.73x
Torosay 1 46.73x
Walls Flotta 1 25.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Ann 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Gracie 1
Isabel 1
Jessie 1
Louisa 1
Maggie 1
Mary 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
David 1
Duncan 1
Edward 1
Henery 1
Neil 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 Darroch households.

FAQ

Darroch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Darroch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 784 people were recorded with the Darroch surname. That placed it at #4,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Darroch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,358 in 2016. That gives Darroch a modern rank of #4,439.

What does the Darroch surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name of uncertain origin.

What does the Darroch map show?

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