NameCensus.

UK surname

Daunt

A surname derived from the Middle English word meaning "to intimidate or daunt".

In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Daunt surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 189, ranked #20,334, up from #24,420 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Ticehurst. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newark and Sherwood, Gateshead and Luton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Daunt is 205 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 190.8%.

1881 census count

65

Ranked #24,420

Modern count

189

2016, ranked #20,334

Peak year

1997

205 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Daunt had 65 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,420 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016, ranked #20,334.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 125 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Daunt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Daunt surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Daunt 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 43 #25,518
1861 historical 73 #24,492
1881 historical 65 #24,420
1891 historical 78 #27,035
1901 historical 101 #22,726
1911 historical 125 #19,932
1997 modern 205 #17,370
1998 modern 203 #17,949
1999 modern 199 #18,293
2000 modern 193 #18,616
2001 modern 187 #18,708
2002 modern 193 #18,713
2003 modern 194 #18,463
2004 modern 184 #19,183
2005 modern 171 #19,985
2006 modern 169 #20,294
2007 modern 164 #20,973
2008 modern 169 #20,745
2009 modern 181 #20,277
2010 modern 185 #20,453
2011 modern 185 #20,288
2012 modern 182 #20,440
2013 modern 193 #19,997
2014 modern 199 #19,775
2015 modern 195 #19,909
2016 modern 189 #20,334

Geography

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Where Daunts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Ticehurst and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newark and Sherwood, Gateshead, Luton, Melton and Croydon. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Ticehurst Sussex
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newark and Sherwood 006 Newark and Sherwood
2 Gateshead 013 Gateshead
3 Luton 021 Luton
4 Melton 003 Melton
5 Croydon 031 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Daunt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Daunt

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Daunt 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

Daunt is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Daunt

The surname Daunt originated from Ireland. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'dun', meaning a hill or fortified place. The name likely emerged in the 12th century during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.

The Daunt family was among the first English settlers who arrived in Ireland during this period. They established themselves in County Cork, particularly in the areas around Mallow and Tracton. The name is also found in other parts of Munster, such as County Limerick and County Waterford.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Daunt can be found in the Pipe Rolls of County Cork from the 13th century. These rolls were financial records maintained by the English administration in Ireland, documenting tax payments and other transactions.

The Daunt family has a long historical presence in County Cork. In the 16th century, John Daunt (c. 1530-1594) was a prominent member of the family, serving as the Seneschal of Imokilly, a significant administrative position in the region.

Another notable figure was Rev. William Daunt (1621-1688), an Anglican clergyman and author from County Cork. He wrote several works, including a treatise on the Book of Revelation.

In the 18th century, Achilles Daunt (1705-1785) was a member of the Irish Parliament, representing the constituency of Mallow in County Cork. He was a prominent landowner and played a role in the political affairs of the region.

The 19th century saw the rise of Reverend William Joseph O'Neill Daunt (1807-1894), an Irish poet and author. He was born in County Kilkenny and is best known for his collection of Irish folk tales and legends.

Another notable figure was Mary Daunt (1842-1925), an Irish artist and painter. She was born in County Cork and gained recognition for her landscape and portrait paintings, exhibiting her works in various exhibitions.

Throughout history, the surname Daunt has been associated with places like Mallow, Tracton, and other parts of County Cork. The name has also been spelled in various ways, such as Daunte, Dauntt, and Daunthe, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Daunt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Daunt 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. Essex leads with 8 Daunts recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.30x.

County Total Index
Essex 8 6.30x
Lincolnshire 8 7.77x
Nottinghamshire 8 9.22x
Middlesex 6 0.93x
Sussex 6 5.53x
Devon 5 3.73x
Hampshire 5 3.79x
Kent 4 1.82x
Lancashire 4 0.52x
Northumberland 3 3.13x
Gloucestershire 2 1.58x
Surrey 2 0.64x
Cornwall 1 1.37x
Royal Navy 1 13.04x
Somerset 1 0.97x
Wiltshire 1 1.76x
Worcestershire 1 1.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 8 Daunts recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.65x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 8 35.65x
Colchester St James 6 1176.47x
Long Bennington 5 2500.00x
Paddington London 5 21.13x
Holdenhurst 4 115.61x
Brighton 3 13.70x
Hastings St Leonards 3 188.68x
Newton Abbot St Nicholas 3 1111.11x
Toxteth Park 3 11.60x
Westgate 3 50.59x
Deptford St Paul 2 11.81x
High Ongar 2 869.57x
Richmond 2 45.56x
Stoke Damerel 2 21.32x
Arreton 1 238.10x
Boston 1 32.05x
Caythorpe 1 500.00x
Cheltenham 1 10.27x
Islington London 1 1.60x
Marlborough 1 1000.00x
Northfleet 1 51.81x
Powick 1 172.41x
Ramsgate 1 27.93x
Royal Navy 1 15.24x
St Martin Lincoln 1 105.26x
St Stephen 1 384.62x
Walcot 1 18.12x
West Derby 1 4.48x
Westbury On Trym 1 23.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Robert 3
Richard 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Achilles 1
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Bertram 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Francis 1
George 1
Henry 1
J.H.E. 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Ken 1
Lionel 1
Percy 1
Thos. 1
Thos.T. 1
W.D. 1

FAQ

Daunt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Daunt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Daunt surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Daunt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016. That gives Daunt a modern rank of #20,334.

What does the Daunt surname mean?

A surname derived from the Middle English word meaning "to intimidate or daunt".

What does the Daunt map show?

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