NameCensus.

UK surname

Dart

An English occupational surname for a maker of darts or arrows, or a nickname for a skilled archer.

In the 1881 census there were 1,362 people recorded with the Dart surname, ranking it #3,010 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,735, ranked #3,605, down from #3,010 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) and Tormoham with Torquay. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, Torbay and Teignbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dart is 1,782 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.4%.

1881 census count

1,362

Ranked #3,010

Modern count

1,735

2016, ranked #3,605

Peak year

2000

1,782 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dart had 1,362 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,010 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,735 in 2016, ranked #3,605.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,781 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dart surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dart surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dart 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 1,003 #2,785
1861 historical 1,087 #2,582
1881 historical 1,362 #3,010
1891 historical 1,458 #3,010
1901 historical 1,600 #3,228
1911 historical 1,781 #2,747
1997 modern 1,685 #3,538
1998 modern 1,726 #3,589
1999 modern 1,774 #3,525
2000 modern 1,782 #3,490
2001 modern 1,735 #3,508
2002 modern 1,749 #3,565
2003 modern 1,735 #3,510
2004 modern 1,739 #3,501
2005 modern 1,691 #3,555
2006 modern 1,684 #3,574
2007 modern 1,688 #3,593
2008 modern 1,691 #3,615
2009 modern 1,720 #3,632
2010 modern 1,738 #3,669
2011 modern 1,741 #3,622
2012 modern 1,691 #3,663
2013 modern 1,728 #3,651
2014 modern 1,754 #3,613
2015 modern 1,744 #3,603
2016 modern 1,735 #3,605

Geography

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Where Darts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, Torbay, Teignbridge, East Devon and Torridge. 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 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
3 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 014 North Devon
2 Torbay 017 Torbay
3 Teignbridge 010 Teignbridge
4 East Devon 006 East Devon
5 Torridge 007 Torridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dart

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dart

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dart, 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 Dart surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dart 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, Dart 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

Dart 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

Dart 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 Dart 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 Dart, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dart

The surname DART is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "dærtan," which means "to throw or hurl," potentially referring to someone who was skilled in throwing darts or spears.

The name is found in various early records and documents, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Dert." This suggests that the surname was already in use during the medieval period and may have been associated with certain occupations or trades related to archery or hunting.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname DART was John Dart, a landowner mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, England, in the late 14th century. Another notable early bearer of the name was William Dart, a merchant from London who was active in the 15th century and is mentioned in several historical records from that time.

In the 16th century, the DART surname can be found in various parish records and official documents, such as the Subsidy Rolls of 1524, which list individuals like John Dart from Gloucestershire and Thomas Dart from Somerset.

The name DART is also associated with several place names in England, including Dartmouth in Devon, Dartford in Kent, and the River Dart in Devon. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Some notable individuals with the surname DART throughout history include:

1. Valentinus Dart (c. 1600-1652), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. 2. Benjamin Dart (1716-1791), an English engraver and portrait painter who worked in London. 3. John Dart (1805-1884), an English writer and antiquarian who published several works on the history and antiquities of Westmorland and Cumberland. 4. Ralph Dart (1848-1912), an English architect who designed several notable buildings in London and other parts of England. 5. Justin Dart, Jr. (1930-2002), an American businessman and prominent advocate for disability rights, who played a key role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

While the surname DART has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through immigration and migration patterns. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in England, where it was likely associated with occupations or skills related to archery or hunting.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dart families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dart 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 728 Darts recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.76x.

County Total Index
Devon 728 25.76x
Middlesex 130 0.96x
Somerset 76 3.48x
Surrey 62 0.94x
Lancashire 45 0.28x
Gloucestershire 34 1.28x
Hampshire 33 1.19x
Monmouthshire 30 3.06x
Cornwall 29 1.89x
Dorset 28 3.14x
Channel Islands 23 5.72x
Glamorgan 22 0.93x
Yorkshire 22 0.16x
Durham 20 0.50x
Kent 11 0.24x
Cheshire 10 0.33x
Sussex 10 0.44x
Derbyshire 9 0.42x
Worcestershire 8 0.45x
Essex 7 0.26x
Staffordshire 7 0.15x
Anglesey 6 2.49x
Lanarkshire 6 0.14x
Berkshire 5 0.49x
Cumberland 5 0.43x
Royal Navy 5 3.09x
Lincolnshire 4 0.18x
Oxfordshire 3 0.36x
Herefordshire 2 0.36x
Hertfordshire 2 0.21x
Northumberland 2 0.10x
Shropshire 2 0.17x
Wiltshire 2 0.17x
Bedfordshire 1 0.14x
Leicestershire 1 0.07x
Northamptonshire 1 0.08x
Warwickshire 1 0.03x

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 46 Darts recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.25x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Damerel 46 23.25x
Tormoham 35 29.26x
Exeter St Sidwell 33 50.98x
Crediton 30 112.02x
Bedminster 28 13.63x
Dawlish 26 123.34x
Plymouth St Andrew 23 10.56x
Exeter St Thomas The 22 76.36x
Newington 22 4.39x
Portsea 21 3.85x
Chulmleigh 20 310.56x
Toxteth Park 20 3.67x
Barnstaple 19 42.82x
St Marylebone London 19 2.62x
Kingskerswell 18 383.80x
Silverton 18 306.12x
Newton Abbot St Mary 17 71.70x
Brixham 16 48.86x
Ilfracombe 16 54.98x
Molland 16 686.70x
West Teignmouth 16 74.01x
Plymouth Charles The 15 12.05x
Landkey 14 505.42x
Bampton 13 150.29x
Cardiff St Mary 13 9.98x
East Stonehouse 13 23.35x
Sampford Courtenay 13 307.33x
St Brelade 13 125.60x
Kyo 12 63.09x
Black Torrington 11 270.27x
Colebrooke 11 333.33x
North Tawton 11 126.73x
Shoreditch London 11 1.87x
St Paul Covent Garden 11 80.94x
Tiverton 11 22.59x
Chelsea London 10 2.44x
Paddington London 10 2.00x
St Helier 10 7.63x
St Pancras London 10 0.91x
Thorverton 10 233.10x
Wolborough 10 27.99x
Chittlehampton 9 129.12x
Higher Booths 9 30.98x
Hunslet 9 4.29x
Mile End Old Town London 9 3.11x
Thelbridge 9 891.09x
Trevethin 9 9.71x
Weston Super Mare 9 16.31x
Bristol St James In 8 20.43x
Camberwell 8 0.92x
Chawleigh 8 256.41x
Hackney London 8 1.05x
Hampstead London 8 3.78x
Hittisleigh 8 740.74x
Ide 8 259.74x
Kenwyn 8 19.90x
Shipley 8 154.14x
St Woollos 8 7.30x
Bristol St George 7 5.68x
Compton Gifford 7 79.01x
Deptford St Paul 7 1.96x
Ipplepen 7 181.82x
Lapford 7 253.62x
Powderham 7 534.35x
Sandford 7 101.30x
Wingate 7 25.28x
Worcester St Martin 7 29.26x
Yeovil 7 15.76x
Zeal Monachorum 7 321.10x
Croydon 6 1.63x
Eggesford 6 697.67x
Exeter St Mary Major 6 35.21x
Godalming 6 14.41x
Hockworthy 6 422.54x
Kenn 6 136.36x
Kingswinford 6 3.61x
Mynyddyslwyn 6 15.50x
Southwark St Saviour 6 8.60x
Taunton St James 6 18.82x
Weymouth 6 35.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 107
Elizabeth 69
Sarah 39
Eliza 30
Emily 28
Ann 26
Ellen 26
Alice 24
Jane 23
Emma 19
Annie 16
Bessie 12
Caroline 12
Louisa 11
Susan 11
Edith 10
Charlotte 8
Harriet 8
Fanny 7
Florence 7
Lucy 7
Maria 7
Anna 6
Catherine 6
Elizth. 6
Hannah 6
Kate 5
Clara 4
Frances 4
Grace 4
Jessie 4
Lydia 4
Margaret 4
Martha 4
Maud 4
Rebecca 4
Ada 3
Amelia 3
Eleanor 3
Esther 3
Helen 3
Rosina 3
Adeline 2
Agnes 2
Amy 2
Helena 2
Laura 2
Lilian 2
Lillian 2
Louise 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 108
John 104
Thomas 49
James 41
George 37
Henry 35
Samuel 29
Charles 25
Richard 23
Frederick 20
Alfred 13
Robert 13
Edward 12
Philip 11
Walter 10
Joseph 9
Frank 8
Fred 8
Albert 6
Arthur 5
Charley 5
Edwin 5
Ernest 5
Francis 5
Fredrick 5
Herbert 5
Wm. 5
Harry 4
Mathew 3
Tom 3
David 2
Elias 2
Fredk. 2
Mark 2
Matthew 2
Paul 2
Saml. 2
Sidney 2
Thos. 2
Watson 2
Dennis 1
Douglas 1
Edmund 1
Gabriel 1
Geo.Henry 1
Lamuel 1
Levi 1
Lewis 1
Lot 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Dart surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dart surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,362 people were recorded with the Dart surname. That placed it at #3,010 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dart surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,735 in 2016. That gives Dart a modern rank of #3,605.

What does the Dart surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a maker of darts or arrows, or a nickname for a skilled archer.

What does the Dart map show?

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