NameCensus.

UK surname

Dash

An English surname derived from the Middle English word "dasshe," referring to someone who lived near a marsh or fen.

In the 1881 census there were 572 people recorded with the Dash surname, ranking it #6,084 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 832, ranked #6,692, down from #6,084 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torfaen, Cornwall and Monmouthshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dash is 832 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.5%.

1881 census count

572

Ranked #6,084

Modern count

832

2016, ranked #6,692

Peak year

2016

832 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dash had 572 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,084 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 832 in 2016, ranked #6,692.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 809 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dash surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dash surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Dash 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 426 #5,735
1861 historical 482 #5,418
1881 historical 572 #6,084
1891 historical 681 #5,745
1901 historical 796 #5,676
1911 historical 809 #5,431
1997 modern 792 #6,587
1998 modern 821 #6,624
1999 modern 805 #6,754
2000 modern 791 #6,837
2001 modern 776 #6,807
2002 modern 814 #6,675
2003 modern 763 #6,916
2004 modern 768 #6,898
2005 modern 715 #7,202
2006 modern 759 #6,920
2007 modern 786 #6,789
2008 modern 803 #6,725
2009 modern 818 #6,752
2010 modern 829 #6,826
2011 modern 808 #6,874
2012 modern 785 #6,957
2013 modern 804 #6,924
2014 modern 818 #6,851
2015 modern 828 #6,735
2016 modern 832 #6,692

Geography

Back to top

Where Dashs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner, Trevethin with Pontypool and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torfaen, Cornwall and Monmouthshire. 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 London parishes London 3
3 Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner Hampshire
4 Trevethin with Pontypool Monmouthshire
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torfaen 001 Torfaen
2 Cornwall 062 Cornwall
3 Monmouthshire 008 Monmouthshire
4 Cornwall 043 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 042 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Dash

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Dash

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Dash is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dash 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

Dash falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dash

The surname Dash is of Anglo-Saxon origin, originating in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "daege," meaning "day," and was likely a nickname given to someone who worked during daylight hours or was known for their punctuality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Dash surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "Dasche." This early spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time.

In the 14th century, the Dash surname was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, suggesting the family's presence in that region. Additionally, the name appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, indicating its spread across different parts of England.

The Dash surname may also have ties to certain place names, such as Dashwood in Buckinghamshire, which could have influenced its development.

Notable individuals bearing the Dash surname include:

1. Ralph Dash (c. 1480 - 1558), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Southwark during the reign of Queen Mary I.

2. Thomas Dash (c. 1570 - 1631), an English clergyman and scholar who served as Rector of Wolverhampton.

3. Samuel Dash (1925 - 2004), an American lawyer and legal scholar who served as chief counsel for the Senate Watergate Committee during the Watergate scandal.

4. Jeremiah Dash (c. 1689 - 1767), a renowned English clockmaker and inventor from London, known for his contributions to horology.

5. Renee Dash (born 1967), an American actress and singer, best known for her role in the film "Precious" (2009).

The Dash surname has a rich history dating back to medieval England, with its origins rooted in an occupational nickname. While the name may have evolved in spelling and distribution over the centuries, it continues to be a part of various cultural and historical narratives.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Dash families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dash 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. Hampshire leads with 97 Dashs recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.47x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 97 8.47x
Middlesex 85 1.52x
Cornwall 77 12.17x
Wiltshire 57 11.53x
Gloucestershire 43 3.92x
Surrey 41 1.51x
Sussex 39 4.14x
Monmouthshire 34 8.41x
Cambridgeshire 17 4.80x
Somerset 14 1.56x
Essex 11 1.00x
Berkshire 10 2.38x
Devon 10 0.86x
Glamorgan 10 1.03x
Kent 4 0.21x
Oxfordshire 4 1.16x
Northamptonshire 3 0.57x
Yorkshire 3 0.05x
Inverness-shire 2 1.20x
Leicestershire 2 0.32x
Royal Navy 2 3.00x
Staffordshire 2 0.11x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.30x
Derbyshire 1 0.11x
Lanarkshire 1 0.06x
Lancashire 1 0.02x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.13x
Worcestershire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alverstoke in Hampshire leads with 40 Dashs recorded in 1881 and an index of 96.46x.

Place Total Index
Alverstoke 40 96.46x
St Just In Roseland 40 1444.04x
Trevethin 25 65.51x
Portsea 17 7.57x
Islington London 16 2.95x
Meldreth 16 1167.88x
Madron Penzance 15 65.19x
Brighton 14 7.36x
Whippingham 13 149.94x
Bedminster 12 14.19x
Chelsea London 12 7.12x
Yatesbury 12 3000.00x
St Pancras London 11 2.44x
Bermondsey 10 6.01x
St Helens 10 120.05x
Hastings St Mary 9 38.38x
Kingston On Thames 9 13.76x
Roath 9 20.36x
Dodington 8 2758.62x
Purton 8 181.82x
Ryde 8 32.51x
Falmouth 7 31.25x
Lambeth 7 1.44x
Llanfoist 7 250.00x
Shadwell London 7 44.76x
Steeple 7 693.07x
Clerkenwell London 6 4.55x
Hampstead London 6 6.89x
Hillmarton 6 487.80x
Hungerford 6 105.82x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 5.33x
Urchfont 6 297.03x
West Dean 6 33.69x
Feltham 5 89.61x
Westminster St James 5 8.70x
Wootton Bassett 5 116.28x
Exeter Heavitree 4 46.14x
Exeter St Thomas The 4 33.73x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 4 19.94x
Hackney London 4 1.28x
Tottenham 4 4.49x
Budock 3 63.03x
Cheltenham 3 3.55x
Foxley 3 2142.86x
Hove 3 7.26x
Hunston 3 750.00x
Norton Coleparle 3 1578.95x
Pewsey 3 82.42x
St Clement 3 45.45x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.05x
St Just In Penwith 3 24.43x
Acton 2 6.10x
Almondsbury 2 47.73x
Arborfield 2 384.62x
Basing 2 93.46x
Bensington 2 90.91x
Berkeley 2 32.79x
Bisley 2 20.14x
Bremilham 2 4000.00x
Chipping Sodbury 2 98.04x
Eastergate 2 645.16x
Gerrans 2 116.96x
Harthill Cum Woodall 2 94.34x
Hastings Holy Trinity 2 28.78x
Inverness 2 4.76x
Kettering 2 9.41x
Kibworth Beauchamp 2 93.02x
Newington 2 0.97x
Preshute 2 65.79x
Pucklechurch 2 80.97x
Royal Navy 2 3.51x
St Mabyn 2 206.19x
St Marylebone London 2 0.67x
Standon 2 289.86x
Wapley Codrington 2 377.36x
Westbury On Trym 2 5.39x
Woolwich 2 2.84x
Chagford 1 35.84x
Hascombe 1 120.48x
Newdigate 1 78.74x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 47
George 33
Charles 22
Henry 19
Joseph 15
James 12
John 12
Edward 10
Arthur 9
Thomas 8
Albert 7
Alfred 5
Robert 5
Samuel 5
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Frederick 4
Stephen 4
Fredrick 3
Harry 3
Walter 3
Benjamin 2
David 2
Edmond 2
Percy 2
Bertie 1
C.J.Armstrong 1
Chas.T.A. 1
Claudius 1
Daniel 1
Earnest 1
Ed. 1
Ethelbert 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Hubert 1
Jaspar 1
Jasper 1
Jules 1
Leonard 1
Luther 1
Oliver 1
Orphew 1
Osmond 1
Willy 1

FAQ

Dash surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dash surname in 1881?

In 1881, 572 people were recorded with the Dash surname. That placed it at #6,084 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dash surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 832 in 2016. That gives Dash a modern rank of #6,692.

What does the Dash surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Middle English word "dasshe," referring to someone who lived near a marsh or fen.

What does the Dash map show?

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