UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname Dawson, meaning "son of David".
In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Darson surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #33,110 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Barwick-in-Elmett and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Darson is 358 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 240.0%.
1881 census count
5
Ranked #33,110
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1861
358 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Darson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Darson 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 | 12 | #31,134 |
| 1861 | historical | 358 | #7,132 |
| 1881 | historical | 5 | #33,110 |
| 1891 | historical | 110 | #22,557 |
| 1901 | historical | 12 | #32,772 |
| 1911 | historical | 7 | #33,083 |
| 1997 | modern | 11 | #36,912 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 14 | #37,078 |
| 2013 | modern | 15 | #37,046 |
| 2014 | modern | 16 | #36,974 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Barwick-in-Elmett, Manchester, Mudford, Preston and Great and Little Totham, Goldhanger, Heybridge, Tolleshunt Major, Tolleshunt Knights, Tolleshunt Dar. 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 | Barwick-in-Elmett | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Mudford, Preston | Somerset |
| 5 | Great and Little Totham, Goldhanger, Heybridge, Tolleshunt Major, Tolleshunt Knights, Tolleshunt Dar | Essex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Darson 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 Darson, 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 Darson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Darson 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, Darson 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 Darson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Darson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "DARSON" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "deor" meaning "deer" and "tun" meaning "town" or "enclosure". Thus, the name likely referred to someone who lived in a town or settlement known for its association with deer or deer hunting.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Dertun". This entry suggests that the name was already in use by the late 11th century and may have been related to a specific place name.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname began to appear in various forms, including "Dertone", "Dyrton", and "Dyrtoune". These variations reflect the evolving spelling and pronunciation of the name over time.
In the 15th century, a notable figure named John Darson (c. 1420-1490) was recorded as a merchant and landowner in the county of Gloucestershire. He is believed to have been one of the wealthiest individuals in the region during his lifetime.
Another prominent individual with the surname was Sir William Darson (1564-1632), a military commander who served under King James I. He was knighted for his bravery and leadership during the English Civil War.
In the 17th century, the surname appeared in the writings of the famous English playwright William Shakespeare. In his play "The Merry Wives of Windsor", a character named "Master Darson" is mentioned, suggesting that the name was well-known at the time.
During the 18th century, a notable figure named Elizabeth Darson (1712-1785) gained recognition as a pioneering educator. She established one of the first schools for girls in London and advocated for the importance of education for women.
Another individual of note was Sir Robert Darson (1783-1857), a prominent politician and member of the British Parliament. He was known for his advocacy of social reforms and his support for the abolition of slavery.
Throughout its history, the surname "DARSON" has been associated with various professions, including merchants, military leaders, educators, and politicians. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has spread and taken on different variations across different regions and cultures over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Darson 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. Cheshire leads with 2 Darsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.67x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cheshire | 2 | 18.67x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 1.74x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 2.06x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 2.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middlewich in Cheshire leads with 2 Darsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlewich | 2 | 10000.00x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 128.21x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 106.38x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 25.64x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Darson 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 Darson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Arthur | 1 |
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 Darson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| ((Farm Labourer)) | 1 |
| D Servant | 1 |
| Dom Servt | 1 |
| Moulder (Iron) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Darson surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Darson a modern rank of #36,904.
A variant spelling of the English surname Dawson, meaning "son of David".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Darson 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.