NameCensus.

UK surname

Dawn

An English surname derived from the Middle English word meaning "daybreak".

In the 1881 census there were 252 people recorded with the Dawn surname, ranking it #11,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 371, ranked #12,561, down from #11,012 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Richmond, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Watton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, Rushcliffe and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dawn is 801 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.2%.

1881 census count

252

Ranked #11,012

Modern count

371

2016, ranked #12,561

Peak year

1861

801 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dawn had 252 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,012 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 371 in 2016, ranked #12,561.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 801 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Dawn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dawn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dawn 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 241 #9,037
1861 historical 801 #3,429
1881 historical 252 #11,012
1891 historical 464 #7,887
1901 historical 209 #14,712
1911 historical 302 #11,394
1997 modern 284 #14,006
1998 modern 305 #13,753
1999 modern 294 #14,140
2000 modern 308 #13,685
2001 modern 274 #14,576
2002 modern 283 #14,559
2003 modern 273 #14,715
2004 modern 276 #14,684
2005 modern 273 #14,708
2006 modern 276 #14,700
2007 modern 273 #14,959
2008 modern 286 #14,618
2009 modern 299 #14,445
2010 modern 315 #14,223
2011 modern 305 #14,439
2012 modern 328 #13,625
2013 modern 343 #13,372
2014 modern 359 #13,025
2015 modern 362 #12,825
2016 modern 371 #12,561

Geography

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Where Dawns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Richmond, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Watton, St Werburgh and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sheffield, Rushcliffe, Mendip, Sunderland and Bradford. 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 Richmond Surrey
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Watton Nottinghamshire
4 St Werburgh Derbyshire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sheffield 022 Sheffield
2 Rushcliffe 010 Rushcliffe
3 Mendip 002 Mendip
4 Sunderland 004 Sunderland
5 Bradford 059 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dawn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dawn

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Dawn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Dawn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Dawn 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

Dawn is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dawn 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 Dawn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dawn

The surname Dawn is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a toponymic name, derived from the Old English word "dæg" or "dawning," referring to the first appearance of light in the morning. This name may have been given to someone who lived near a particular location associated with the dawn, such as a hill or an open field where the sunrise was visible.

The earliest known recorded mention of the Dawn surname can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landowners in England. This document lists a Richard de la Daune, suggesting that the name was present in the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including Daune, Dawne, and Daan, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time. One notable bearer of the name was John Dawne, a merchant from Bristol who was recorded in the city's Guild Rolls in 1376.

During the 16th century, the Dawn surname continued to be found in various parts of England. In 1564, a Thomas Dawn was listed as a freeman of the City of London, indicating his status as a citizen with certain rights and privileges.

In the 17th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of William Dawn (1617-1669), a English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Upminster in Essex. He is known for his religious works, including "The Doctrine of the Sabbath" and "The Better Covenant Practically Explained."

Another notable bearer of the Dawn surname was Thomas Dawn (1796-1859), an English artist and engraver who specialized in landscapes and architectural subjects. His works were exhibited at the Royal Academy and other prestigious institutions during the 19th century.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Dawn surname was found across various regions of England, with concentrations in counties such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Middlesex. During this period, the name was also associated with several individuals who made contributions in various fields, including George Dawn (1857-1925), a businessman and philanthropist from Manchester, and Edith Dawn (1885-1962), a novelist and short story writer from London.

While the surname Dawn has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and other historical events. Today, people bearing this surname can be found in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dawn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dawn 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. Derbyshire leads with 57 Dawns recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.87x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 57 14.87x
Nottinghamshire 32 9.70x
Surrey 23 1.93x
Middlesex 21 0.86x
Yorkshire 18 0.74x
Lancashire 17 0.59x
Lincolnshire 17 4.34x
Kent 10 1.20x
Durham 7 0.96x
Glamorgan 7 1.64x
Devon 5 0.98x
Leicestershire 5 1.84x
Somerset 5 1.27x
Suffolk 5 1.68x
Banffshire 3 5.91x
Cheshire 3 0.56x
Gloucestershire 2 0.42x
Hampshire 2 0.40x
Northumberland 2 0.55x
Sussex 2 0.48x
Warwickshire 2 0.32x
Berkshire 1 0.54x
Cornwall 1 0.36x
Essex 1 0.21x
Herefordshire 1 1.00x
Midlothian 1 0.30x
Northamptonshire 1 0.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brightside Bierlow in Yorkshire leads with 11 Dawns recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.11x.

Place Total Index
Brightside Bierlow 11 23.11x
Derby St Peter 10 81.90x
Mark Eaton 10 1724.14x
Blackwell 9 478.72x
Tibshelf 9 478.72x
Aslockton 8 2352.94x
Liverpool 8 4.53x
Clee With Weelsby 7 81.68x
Dawdon 7 78.13x
Derby St Werburgh 7 31.63x
Nottingham St Mary 7 8.20x
Battersea 6 6.66x
Bethnal Green London 6 5.64x
Hulland Ward 6 1818.18x
Lambeth 6 2.81x
Droylsden 5 52.74x
Granby Sutton 5 1515.15x
Hawton 5 2083.33x
Lowestoft 5 35.49x
St Maryle Wigford 5 164.47x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 5 90.74x
Bawtry 4 526.32x
Llantrisant 4 37.21x
Loose 4 325.20x
Northbourne 4 500.00x
Richmond 4 23.92x
Chard 3 62.89x
Cheadle 3 29.07x
Fairfield 3 117.19x
Kinoulton 3 1071.43x
Nether Hallam 3 9.14x
Paddington London 3 3.33x
Swansea Town 3 8.58x
Twickenham 3 28.57x
Aston 2 1.18x
Botriphnie 2 338.98x
Camberwell 2 1.28x
Cowpen 2 23.84x
Croxton Keyrial 2 434.78x
Egg Buckland 2 229.89x
Hammersmith London 2 3.32x
Langar 2 555.56x
Matlock 2 38.84x
Melton Mowbray 2 40.98x
Portsea 2 2.03x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.64x
Tavistock 2 34.42x
Windle 2 12.23x
Barnes 1 19.80x
Basford 1 6.57x
Bathwick 1 22.94x
Beckenham 1 9.16x
Bradley 1 434.78x
Bristol St Paul In 1 7.82x
Clapham 1 3.27x
Clifton 1 4.12x
Dorking 1 12.48x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.76x
Everton 1 1.08x
Hellingly 1 72.46x
Inveravon 1 46.30x
Islington London 1 0.42x
Kensington London 1 0.73x
Madron 1 44.64x
Moulton 1 78.13x
Northfleet 1 13.59x
Nortonwith 1 200.00x
Pitcombe 1 285.71x
Putney 1 8.96x
Ratby 1 73.53x
St Marylebone London 1 0.77x
Thrushelton 1 277.78x
Tottenham 1 2.56x
Toxteth Park 1 1.02x
Uckfield 1 55.56x
Wandsworth 1 4.24x
West Ham 1 0.94x
Westminster St James 1 3.97x
Whatton 1 416.67x
Winkfield 1 32.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Elizabeth 11
Sarah 10
Eliza 7
Ann 6
Ellen 6
Hannah 4
Jane 4
Martha 4
Annie 3
Emily 3
Florence 3
Anne 2
Clara 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Rebecca 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Celia 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Eunice 1
Florey 1
Francis 1
Harriett 1
Jessey 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Lydia 1
M.A. 1
Maria 1
Nancy 1
Rachael 1
Rebaca 1
Unice 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
William 20
George 9
Thomas 9
James 7
Henry 6
Edward 5
Richard 5
Charles 3
David 3
Jonathan 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Herbert 2
Josiah 2
Robert 2
Andrew 1
Auther 1
Edwin 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Martin 1
Nathan 1
Pall 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1
Waverby 1
Willie 1
Willm. 1
Wm.Fredk. 1

FAQ

Dawn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dawn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 252 people were recorded with the Dawn surname. That placed it at #11,012 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dawn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 371 in 2016. That gives Dawn a modern rank of #12,561.

What does the Dawn surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Middle English word meaning "daybreak".

What does the Dawn map show?

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