NameCensus.

UK surname

Dellow

A topographic surname indicating someone living near a deep hollow or valley.

In the 1881 census there were 450 people recorded with the Dellow surname, ranking it #7,321 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 655, ranked #8,123, down from #7,321 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Reed, Edmonton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Uttlesford, Gateshead and Blaenau Gwent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dellow is 723 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.6%.

1881 census count

450

Ranked #7,321

Modern count

655

2016, ranked #8,123

Peak year

1911

723 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dellow had 450 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,321 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 655 in 2016, ranked #8,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 723 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dellow surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dellow surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dellow 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 347 #6,781
1861 historical 297 #8,508
1881 historical 450 #7,321
1891 historical 573 #6,640
1901 historical 584 #7,219
1911 historical 723 #5,920
1997 modern 655 #7,624
1998 modern 695 #7,514
1999 modern 700 #7,513
2000 modern 680 #7,660
2001 modern 670 #7,616
2002 modern 691 #7,589
2003 modern 687 #7,493
2004 modern 691 #7,490
2005 modern 670 #7,602
2006 modern 674 #7,591
2007 modern 677 #7,645
2008 modern 673 #7,701
2009 modern 682 #7,806
2010 modern 696 #7,815
2011 modern 697 #7,715
2012 modern 662 #7,949
2013 modern 662 #8,099
2014 modern 661 #8,143
2015 modern 648 #8,217
2016 modern 655 #8,123

Geography

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Where Dellows are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Reed, Edmonton, London parishes, Gateshead and St Dunstan Stepney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Uttlesford, Gateshead, Blaenau Gwent and Kingston upon Thames. 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 Reed Hertfordshire
2 Edmonton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Gateshead Durham
5 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Uttlesford 005 Uttlesford
2 Gateshead 021 Gateshead
3 Blaenau Gwent 005 Blaenau Gwent
4 Kingston upon Thames 020 Kingston upon Thames
5 Uttlesford 007 Uttlesford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dellow

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dellow

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dellow, 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 Dellow surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dellow 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Dellow is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Dellow 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

Dellow falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dellow

The surname Dellow is of English origin, derived from a locational name referring to a place in Derbyshire. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words 'dell' meaning valley and 'hlaw' meaning hill or mound, thus forming 'dell hlaw' which evolved into the modern spelling of Dellow.

The earliest known record of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'de Delou.' This reference suggests that the name was already well-established by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Other early spellings of the name include Delow, Dellowe, and Delloe.

One notable bearer of the Dellow surname was Sir Robert Dellow (1590-1669), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Derbyshire during the English Civil War. He played a prominent role in the Parliamentary cause and was a staunch supporter of Oliver Cromwell.

Another individual of historical significance was William Dellow (1675-1749), a renowned clockmaker from London. His clocks were highly sought after by the aristocracy and gentry of his time, and several of his works are now housed in prestigious museums and collections.

In the realm of literature, the poet and author Elizabeth Dellow (1820-1884) made significant contributions to the Romantic movement in England. Her works, which often celebrated the beauty of nature and rural life, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime.

During the 19th century, the Dellow name was also associated with a prominent family of industrialists in the Midlands region of England. Thomas Dellow (1812-1890) established a successful iron and steel manufacturing company, which played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution.

Lastly, a more recent figure of note was Sir Edward Dellow (1904-1987), a highly decorated British military officer who served with distinction during World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery and leadership in the North African and Italian campaigns.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dellow families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dellow 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. Hertfordshire leads with 112 Dellows recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.77x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 112 37.77x
Essex 100 11.78x
Middlesex 90 2.09x
Surrey 53 2.53x
Durham 31 2.42x
Yorkshire 14 0.33x
Nottinghamshire 8 1.38x
Lancashire 7 0.14x
Cambridgeshire 5 1.84x
Kent 5 0.34x
Northamptonshire 5 1.24x
Bedfordshire 3 1.35x
Northumberland 3 0.47x
Sussex 3 0.41x
Hampshire 1 0.11x
Warwickshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gateshead in Durham leads with 31 Dellows recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.35x.

Place Total Index
Gateshead 31 32.35x
Reed 28 10000.00x
Farnham 21 2837.84x
West Ham 21 11.20x
Barley 18 1978.02x
Bishop Stortford 17 171.72x
Islington London 16 3.84x
Manuden 12 1132.08x
Tottenham 12 17.52x
Buckland 11 1803.28x
Lilley 10 1333.33x
Kingston On Thames 9 17.87x
Rickling 9 1343.28x
Widdington 9 1607.14x
Hackney London 8 3.32x
Lambeth 8 2.13x
Southwark St George Martyr 8 9.24x
Bow London 7 12.78x
Hammersmith London 7 6.61x
Morley 7 31.59x
Nuthampstead 7 2187.50x
Saddleworth 7 21.29x
Albury 6 652.17x
Droylsden 6 36.04x
Little Hormead 6 3157.89x
Mile End Old Town London 6 6.55x
Shadwell London 6 49.83x
Dagenham 5 99.01x
Great Hormead 5 657.89x
Kettering 5 30.54x
Newport 5 337.84x
Ramsden Bell House 5 862.07x
Shoreditch London 5 2.68x
Streatham 5 15.66x
Barkway 4 341.88x
Layston 4 253.16x
Leyton 4 27.34x
Little Ilford 4 272.11x
Mansfield 4 19.94x
Mansfield Woodhouse 4 103.63x
Battersea 3 1.90x
Bethnal Green London 3 1.61x
Bromley London 3 3.17x
Cheshunt 3 28.96x
Debden 3 250.00x
Elswick 3 5.87x
Enfield 3 10.63x
Fletching 3 92.31x
St Andrewthe Less 3 9.64x
St Pancras London 3 0.87x
Wrestlingworth 3 312.50x
Barking 2 8.05x
Beckenham 2 10.42x
Braughing 2 131.58x
Limehouse London 2 4.24x
Merton 2 54.50x
Newington 2 1.26x
Paddington London 2 1.26x
St George In East London 2 4.94x
Whitechapel London 2 4.72x
Aspenden 1 108.70x
Camberwell 1 0.36x
Caterham 1 10.80x
Cheetham 1 2.63x
Godalming 1 7.58x
Halstead 1 140.85x
Hinxton 1 196.08x
Kensington London 1 0.42x
Plumstead 1 2.04x
Reigate Foreign 1 4.41x
St Bartholomew Less 1 45.25x
Sutton 1 6.59x
Wapping London 1 30.40x
Warwick St Nicholas 1 12.56x
Weeke 1 37.45x
Wilburton 1 128.21x
Woolwich 1 1.84x
Wormley 1 92.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 36
John 26
James 20
George 13
Joseph 12
Henry 10
Thomas 10
Alfred 7
Arthur 7
Frederick 6
Francis 5
Frank 5
Richard 4
Samuel 4
Albert 3
Charles 3
David 3
Ernest 3
Philip 3
Walter 3
Abraham 2
Benjamin 2
Edward 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Horace 2
Robert 2
Andrew 1
Ben 1
Benjmn. 1
Bertie 1
Chas.Hy. 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Ellice 1
F. 1
Fred. 1
Fredk.E. 1
Fredrick 1
Josiah 1
Kinepton 1
Michael 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Ramah 1
Saml. 1
Stephen 1
Tom 1
Victor 1

FAQ

Dellow surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dellow surname in 1881?

In 1881, 450 people were recorded with the Dellow surname. That placed it at #7,321 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dellow surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 655 in 2016. That gives Dellow a modern rank of #8,123.

What does the Dellow surname mean?

A topographic surname indicating someone living near a deep hollow or valley.

What does the Dellow map show?

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