UK surname
A surname derived from the occupation of a female worker on a dairy farm.
In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Daughter surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #31,170 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Walthamstow, Low Leyton and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Daughter is 224 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 64.7%.
1881 census count
17
Ranked #31,170
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1911
224 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Daughter surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Daughter surname density by area, 1911 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 | 77 | #19,998 |
| 1861 | historical | 179 | #13,127 |
| 1881 | historical | 17 | #31,170 |
| 1891 | historical | 10 | #33,355 |
| 1901 | historical | 10 | #33,026 |
| 1911 | historical | 224 | #13,914 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Walthamstow, Low Leyton, Preston and Winwick. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 3 | Preston | Sussex |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Daughter 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 Daughter, 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 Daughter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Daughter 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, Daughter 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 Daughter is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Daughter, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "DAUGHTER" is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "dohtor," which means "daughter." This name was initially used to refer to a female child or a descendant, and over time, it became a hereditary surname.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "DAUGHTER" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1273, where a person named Richard Dohtor was mentioned. This suggests that the name had already been adopted as a surname by that time.
During the Middle Ages, the use of surnames was not as widespread as it is today. Many people were identified by their occupation, place of origin, or a physical characteristic. The surname "DAUGHTER" likely emerged as a descriptive name, indicating a familial relationship or lineage.
In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a person named John Doughter was listed. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.
One notable figure bearing the surname "DAUGHTER" was Elizabeth Daughter, an English writer and poet who lived from 1635 to 1717. Her works explored themes of religion, love, and nature, and she was celebrated for her poetic skill and eloquence.
Another prominent individual with this surname was Sir Thomas Daughter, a British politician and military officer who lived from 1785 to 1856. He served as a Member of Parliament and played a significant role in the Napoleonic Wars.
In the 19th century, the surname "DAUGHTER" was found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Somerset. It was also present in other regions, although less commonly.
One noteworthy figure from this period was Mary Daughter, a pioneering educator who lived from 1822 to 1898. She founded several schools and advocated for the education of women, making significant contributions to the field of education.
The surname "DAUGHTER" has also been associated with places and locations. For instance, there is a village called Daughter's Green in Shropshire, England, which may have derived its name from a person or family bearing the surname "DAUGHTER."
While the surname "DAUGHTER" is not among the most common English surnames, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Daughter 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. Essex leads with 9 Daughters recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.52x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 9 | 27.52x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 3.62x |
| Durham | 1 | 2.03x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 4.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walthamstow in Essex leads with 7 Daughters recorded in 1881 and an index of 593.22x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Walthamstow | 7 | 593.22x |
| Islington London | 5 | 31.15x |
| West Ham | 2 | 27.70x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 23.64x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 24.51x |
| Kirkby In Ashfield | 1 | 416.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Daughter 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 Daughter surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Daughter households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Engine Driver Brickfield | 1 |
| Engine Driver Goldsmith | 1 |
| Fruiterer | 1 |
| Funded Proprieter | 1 |
| Master Mariner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Daughter surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Daughter a modern rank of #38,110.
A surname derived from the occupation of a female worker on a dairy farm.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Daughter 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.