NameCensus.

UK surname

Datson

A variant spelling of the surname "Dodgson", derived from the Old English personal name "Dodda".

In the 1881 census there were 143 people recorded with the Datson surname, ranking it #15,955 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 158, ranked #22,904, down from #15,955 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Gluvias and Kea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Forest Heath.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Datson is 168 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.5%.

1881 census count

143

Ranked #15,955

Modern count

158

2016, ranked #22,904

Peak year

2014

168 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Datson had 143 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,955 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016, ranked #22,904.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 150 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Datson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Datson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Datson 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 95 #17,707
1861 historical 146 #15,628
1881 historical 143 #15,955
1891 historical 146 #18,664
1901 historical 144 #18,505
1911 historical 150 #17,866
1997 modern 139 #22,132
1998 modern 142 #22,406
1999 modern 146 #22,202
2000 modern 150 #21,781
2001 modern 144 #22,040
2002 modern 142 #22,687
2003 modern 139 #22,734
2004 modern 139 #22,891
2005 modern 134 #23,406
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 141 #23,137
2008 modern 134 #24,249
2009 modern 136 #24,485
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 152 #23,101
2012 modern 156 #22,645
2013 modern 163 #22,342
2014 modern 168 #22,075
2015 modern 165 #22,241
2016 modern 158 #22,904

Geography

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Where Datsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Gluvias, Kea, Lanivet and Milton next Sittingbourne. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Forest Heath. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Gluvias Cornwall
3 Kea Cornwall
4 Lanivet Cornwall
5 Milton next Sittingbourne Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 049 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 056 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 027 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 050 Cornwall
5 Forest Heath 008 Forest Heath

Forenames

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First names often paired with Datson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Datson

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Datson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Datson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Datson 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

Datson is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Datson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Datson

The surname DATSON originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English words "dæt" meaning "broad" and "tun" meaning "town" or "village." This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived in a broad or expansive town or settlement.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century, with references found in various historical documents and records from that era. One notable example is the mention of a William Datson in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Poll Tax Returns for Yorkshire in 1379, where a John Datson is listed among the taxpayers. This historical record provides valuable insight into the geographical distribution of the name during that time period.

The Datson surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Datson Green in Staffordshire and Datson Hill in Gloucestershire. These place names may have influenced the development and spread of the surname in those regions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Datson was Richard Datson, born in 1412 in Wiltshire. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of the local gentry during the 15th century.

In the 16th century, the name gained further recognition with the birth of John Datson (1525-1592), a renowned scholar and theologian who served as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

During the 17th century, the Datson surname was carried by several notable figures, including Thomas Datson (1615-1681), a successful merchant and philanthropist in London, and Elizabeth Datson (1647-1718), a prominent writer and poet from Gloucestershire.

Another individual of historical significance was Sir William Datson (1712-1786), a highly respected jurist and legal scholar who served as the Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in England during the latter half of the 18th century.

In the 19th century, the name Datson was associated with several prominent individuals, such as Charles Datson (1819-1892), a renowned architect responsible for designing numerous churches and public buildings throughout England, and Emily Datson (1835-1911), a celebrated novelist and playwright whose works explored themes of social injustice and women's rights.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Datson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Datson 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. Cornwall leads with 53 Datsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.57x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 53 33.57x
Kent 31 6.51x
Yorkshire 19 1.37x
Middlesex 10 0.72x
Somerset 8 3.56x
Devon 7 2.41x
Hampshire 5 1.75x
Lancashire 4 0.24x
Surrey 4 0.59x
Cumberland 1 0.83x
Norfolk 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kea in Cornwall leads with 24 Datsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2033.90x.

Place Total Index
Kea 24 2033.90x
Milton In Milton 9 445.54x
Thornton In Craven 9 810.81x
West Malling 8 747.66x
Frome 6 111.73x
Mylor 6 566.04x
York St Mary 6 104.90x
Fulham London 5 24.72x
Maidstone 5 35.29x
Plymouth Charles The 5 39.09x
St Clement 5 303.03x
St Gluvias Penryn 5 393.70x
St Mary Extra 5 217.39x
Camborne 4 61.44x
Dalton In Furness 4 62.60x
Gwennap 3 100.67x
Lambeth 3 2.47x
Liverton 3 937.50x
Budock 2 168.07x
East Malling 2 175.44x
Illogan 2 47.85x
Lanivet 2 408.16x
Minster In Sheppey 2 25.38x
Nunney 2 408.16x
Westminster St Margaret 2 29.72x
Arlecdon 1 31.35x
Bromley 1 13.79x
Compton Gifford 1 109.89x
Croydon 1 2.65x
East Sutton 1 526.32x
Guisbrough 1 33.11x
Holkham 1 384.62x
Hornsey 1 5.67x
Leybourne 1 769.23x
Linton 1 238.10x
Preston Next Faversham 1 89.29x
St Marylebone London 1 1.34x
Westminster St John 1 5.89x
Woolfardisworthy 1 238.10x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 12
John 10
James 6
Charles 5
Josiah 4
Thomas 4
George 3
Frank 2
Harry 2
Henry 2
Jesse 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Absalom 1
Absolom 1
Albert 1
Collin 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Hugh 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Silas 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Tomas 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Datson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Datson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 143 people were recorded with the Datson surname. That placed it at #15,955 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Datson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016. That gives Datson a modern rank of #22,904.

What does the Datson surname mean?

A variant spelling of the surname "Dodgson", derived from the Old English personal name "Dodda".

What does the Datson map show?

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