NameCensus.

UK surname

Dass

A surname of Indian origin meaning "servant" or "slave".

In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Dass surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 858, ranked #6,528, up from #27,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dass is 903 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1942.9%.

1881 census count

42

Ranked #27,721

Modern count

858

2016, ranked #6,528

Peak year

2010

903 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dass had 42 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 858 in 2016, ranked #6,528.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 92 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Dass surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dass surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dass 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 34 #27,194
1861 historical 92 #22,112
1881 historical 42 #27,721
1891 historical 61 #29,103
1901 historical 19 #31,911
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 776 #6,700
1998 modern 818 #6,643
1999 modern 831 #6,599
2000 modern 815 #6,682
2001 modern 794 #6,681
2002 modern 815 #6,668
2003 modern 832 #6,443
2004 modern 821 #6,524
2005 modern 811 #6,540
2006 modern 823 #6,476
2007 modern 861 #6,311
2008 modern 862 #6,349
2009 modern 882 #6,367
2010 modern 903 #6,369
2011 modern 903 #6,310
2012 modern 849 #6,531
2013 modern 865 #6,550
2014 modern 875 #6,505
2015 modern 858 #6,548
2016 modern 858 #6,528

Geography

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Where Dass' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Birmingham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wolverhampton 020 Wolverhampton
2 Wolverhampton 035 Wolverhampton
3 Sandwell 024 Sandwell
4 Birmingham 036 Birmingham
5 Birmingham 039 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dass

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dass

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Dass is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Dass 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

Dass 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 Dass 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Dass

The surname DASS is of Indian origin, tracing its roots back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "das," which means servant or devotee.

In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, the term "das" was often used to denote one's devotion to a higher power or deity. It was a title of respect and humility, signifying a person's spiritual inclination and dedication. The name DASS may have been adopted by individuals or families who considered themselves devoted followers of a particular religious or spiritual path.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name DASS can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It lists several individuals with the surname DASS holding positions in the imperial court or serving as local administrators.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name DASS gained prominence in various regions of northern India. Prominent figures bearing this surname include Bhai Mati Das (1661-1675), a revered Sikh martyr who sacrificed his life for his faith, and Guru Gobind Singh Das (1666-1708), the tenth and final Sikh Guru, who played a crucial role in shaping the Sikh religion.

In the 19th century, Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1824-1883), a renowned Hindu scholar and social reformer, was born Mulashankar DASS. He founded the Arya Samaj, a influential Hindu reform movement that aimed to revive the Vedic teachings and promote education and social progress.

Another notable figure was Sir Chhotu Ram DASS (1881-1945), a prominent politician and social activist from Punjab, who advocated for the rights of peasants and worked towards the upliftment of the rural population.

In more recent times, Khushwant Singh DASS (1915-2014), a renowned Indian writer, journalist, and diplomat, gained international recognition for his literary works, including his iconic novel "Train to Pakistan," which explored the tragic events surrounding the Partition of India.

The surname DASS has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, poets, politicians, and social reformers. While its origins can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit roots, the name has become a part of the diverse cultural tapestry of the Indian subcontinent, representing a rich heritage of devotion, humility, and service.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dass families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dass 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. Orkney leads with 27 Dass' recorded in 1881 and an index of 613.64x.

County Total Index
Orkney 27 613.64x
Brecknockshire 5 62.50x
Lincolnshire 5 7.82x
Caithness 4 72.99x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. South Ronaldshay in Orkney leads with 15 Dass' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3260.87x.

Place Total Index
South Ronaldshay 15 3260.87x
Walls Flotta 12 5714.29x
Vaynor 5 1282.05x
Canisbay 4 1111.11x
Clee With Weelsby 4 285.71x
Great Grimsby 1 24.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Hector 2
Thomas 2
Evan 1
George 1
Henry 1
William 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 Dass households.

FAQ

Dass surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dass surname in 1881?

In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Dass surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dass surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 858 in 2016. That gives Dass a modern rank of #6,528.

What does the Dass surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin meaning "servant" or "slave".

What does the Dass map show?

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