NameCensus.

UK surname

Dempster

A Scottish occupational surname referring to a judge or arbiter, from the Old English "dem(e)stre" meaning "judge."

In the 1881 census there were 2,135 people recorded with the Dempster surname, ranking it #2,076 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,095, ranked #2,179, down from #2,076 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Alloa, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tayport, Thornhill and Montrose South.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dempster is 3,113 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.0%.

1881 census count

2,135

Ranked #2,076

Modern count

3,095

2016, ranked #2,179

Peak year

2010

3,113 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dempster had 2,135 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,076 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,095 in 2016, ranked #2,179.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,596 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Dempster surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dempster surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dempster 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 1,385 #2,064
1861 historical 1,403 #2,041
1881 historical 2,135 #2,076
1891 historical 2,230 #2,092
1901 historical 2,596 #2,115
1911 historical 773 #5,615
1997 modern 2,817 #2,292
1998 modern 2,948 #2,285
1999 modern 3,036 #2,232
2000 modern 2,970 #2,267
2001 modern 2,888 #2,283
2002 modern 2,968 #2,265
2003 modern 2,904 #2,263
2004 modern 2,931 #2,240
2005 modern 2,920 #2,214
2006 modern 2,914 #2,216
2007 modern 2,934 #2,234
2008 modern 2,989 #2,195
2009 modern 3,077 #2,191
2010 modern 3,113 #2,216
2011 modern 3,034 #2,243
2012 modern 3,033 #2,203
2013 modern 3,082 #2,203
2014 modern 3,098 #2,201
2015 modern 3,077 #2,195
2016 modern 3,095 #2,179

Geography

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Where Dempsters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Alloa, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tayport, Thornhill, Montrose South, Montrose North and Newport and Wormit. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Alloa Clackmannan
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tayport Fife
2 Thornhill Dumfries and Galloway
3 Montrose South Angus
4 Montrose North Angus
5 Newport and Wormit Fife

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dempster

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dempster

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Dempster surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Dempster household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Dempster 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

Dempster is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dempster falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dempster

The surname Dempster originated in Scotland during the medieval period, deriving from the Scots word 'dempster' or 'dempstare,' which referred to a judge or an officer of the court. This name has its roots in the Middle English word 'dempstre' and the Old French word 'demestreire,' both of which stem from the Latin word 'demetiri,' meaning to adjudicate or measure out.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in Scotland. One notable example is William le Dempstere, who was mentioned in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a record of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various Scottish records, including the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, where individuals such as John le Dempstare and Adam le Dempstare were mentioned. These records suggest that the name was widely used in medieval Scotland and associated with legal or judicial roles.

The Dempster surname is also connected to several place names in Scotland, such as Dempster Street in Greenock and Dempster Gardens in Irvine, both of which were likely named after individuals bearing this surname.

One notable figure in history with the Dempster surname was Thomas Dempster (1579-1625), a Scottish historian and scholar who wrote extensively on the history of Scotland and the Roman Empire. Another was George Dempster (1732-1818), a Scottish lawyer and politician who played a significant role in the abolition of the slave trade.

Other historical figures include James Dempster (1776-1853), a Scottish architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in Glasgow; William Dempster (1871-1923), a Canadian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons; and Agnes Dempster (1902-1986), a Scottish artist and sculptor known for her portrait busts and public commissions.

Throughout its history, the surname Dempster has maintained a strong connection to its Scottish origins and has been associated with legal and judicial roles, as well as various other professions and endeavors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dempster families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dempster 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. Lanarkshire leads with 440 Dempsters recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.62x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 440 6.62x
Ayrshire 180 11.70x
Midlothian 107 3.89x
Aberdeenshire 105 5.52x
Renfrewshire 102 6.40x
Angus 94 4.94x
Middlesex 80 0.39x
Lancashire 72 0.30x
Fife 70 5.75x
Dumfriesshire 62 13.66x
Kirkcudbrightshire 59 19.83x
Clackmannanshire 53 31.22x
Stirlingshire 52 6.86x
Yorkshire 46 0.23x
Perthshire 45 4.88x
Staffordshire 38 0.55x
Dunbartonshire 34 6.16x
Durham 33 0.54x
Cumberland 30 1.70x
Banffshire 28 6.57x
Cheshire 28 0.62x
Argyllshire 27 4.72x
Peeblesshire 27 27.93x
Sussex 24 0.69x
Sutherland 24 15.19x
Kinross-shire 20 38.49x
Kent 18 0.26x
Northumberland 17 0.56x
Devon 16 0.37x
Surrey 14 0.14x
Hampshire 13 0.31x
Warwickshire 13 0.25x
Leicestershire 11 0.48x
Morayshire 11 3.44x
Kincardineshire 10 4.00x
Lincolnshire 10 0.30x
Pembrokeshire 10 1.53x
Roxburghshire 9 2.42x
Suffolk 9 0.36x
Wiltshire 8 0.44x
Denbighshire 6 0.77x
Glamorgan 6 0.17x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.18x
West Lothian 5 1.62x
East Lothian 4 1.47x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.23x
Cornwall 3 0.13x
Gloucestershire 3 0.07x
Isle of Man 3 0.79x
Wigtownshire 3 1.10x
Buteshire 2 1.61x
Caithness 2 0.71x
Royal Navy 2 0.82x
Somerset 2 0.06x
Bedfordshire 1 0.09x
Berkshire 1 0.06x
Berwickshire 1 0.40x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.12x
Dorset 1 0.07x
Essex 1 0.02x
Inverness-shire 1 0.16x
Rutland 1 0.66x
Westmorland 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 95 Dempsters recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.65x.

Place Total Index
Barony 95 5.65x
Glasgow 93 7.88x
Govan 92 5.60x
Alloa 44 53.45x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 44 3.97x
Kilmarnock 41 22.39x
Abbey 35 14.40x
Lesmahagow 35 49.79x
Dundee 31 4.36x
Muirkirk 30 83.06x
Carluke 29 48.05x
Urr 29 74.94x
Dalry 26 35.92x
Clyne 22 172.68x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 19 5.33x
Dalmellington 19 42.01x
Barrow In Furness 18 5.43x
Huntly 18 58.12x
Keir 18 342.21x
Abbotshall 17 37.40x
Crawford 16 129.03x
Kinross 16 89.84x
Montrose 16 13.86x
South Leith 15 4.84x
Ardnamurchan 14 48.24x
Birkenhead 14 3.87x
St Pancras London 14 0.85x
West Greenock 14 4.90x
Kensington London 13 1.14x
Birmingham 12 0.69x
Collessie 12 85.65x
Douglas 12 62.63x
Old Kilpatrick 12 18.39x
Premnay 12 183.49x
Cathcart 11 12.76x
Colmonell 11 71.15x
Falkirk 11 6.20x
Gamrie 11 23.11x
Kirkmahoe 11 124.86x
Larbert 11 24.27x
Lochwinnoch 11 46.34x
Row 11 15.40x
Toxteth Park 11 1.33x
Westminster St Margaret 11 11.09x
Barry 10 43.76x
Dundonald 10 17.63x
Elland Cum Greetland 10 10.90x
Everton 10 1.29x
Liff Benvie 10 3.46x
Morven 10 168.63x
St Quivox 10 19.23x
Woolwich 10 3.86x
Benwell 9 26.92x
Clackmannan 9 28.05x
Distington 9 98.90x
Edinburgh St Stephens 9 16.61x
Fortingall 9 76.40x
Lichfield St Michael 9 41.32x
Maryhill 9 6.92x
Middlesbrough 9 3.39x
Penicuik 9 24.05x
Penistone 9 56.68x
Wilton 9 22.03x
Banchory Devenick 8 34.22x
Cadder 8 16.30x
Clerkenwell London 8 1.65x
Durrisdeer 8 102.70x
Eccleshall 8 30.41x
Liberton 8 18.82x
Morton 8 53.09x
New Cumnock 8 30.00x
Oxton 8 31.18x
Paisley High Church 8 6.31x
Panbride 8 80.65x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 2.43x
Tweedsmuir 8 516.13x
Kilmany 7 156.95x
King Edward 7 31.91x
Slamannan 7 16.86x
St Martin In Fields 7 5.69x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Sarah 19
Elizabeth 17
Jane 17
Margaret 15
Ann 11
Agnes 10
Emma 10
Ellen 9
Catherine 6
Emily 6
Isabella 6
Jessie 5
Alice 4
Frances 4
Louisa 4
Anne 3
Annie 3
Charlotte 3
Eleanor 3
Eliza 3
Fanny 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Helen 3
Elizth. 2
Florence 2
Georgiana 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Margt. 2
Mercy 2
Selina 2
C.A.Margaret 1
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
Delphine 1
Dinah 1
Dorothy 1
E.H. 1
E.S. 1
Edith 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizabth 1
Elizebeth 1
F.E. 1
Febie 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Williamina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
William 26
James 19
Robert 18
George 12
Charles 9
Thomas 8
Alexander 6
Edwin 6
Joseph 6
Wm. 5
David 4
Ernest 4
Henry 4
Richard 4
Andrew 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Peter 3
Robt. 3
Albert 2
Anthony 2
Archibald 2
Arthur 2
Augustus 2
Frederick 2
Hugh 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Alex. 1
Ansell 1
Boyd 1
Charley 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
Donald 1
Edgar 1
Edward 1
Fergus 1
Frederic 1
Gerald 1
J.D. 1
Marcus 1
Marion 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Maurice 1
Maxwell 1
Oliver 1
Wm.Thos. 1

FAQ

Dempster surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dempster surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,135 people were recorded with the Dempster surname. That placed it at #2,076 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dempster surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,095 in 2016. That gives Dempster a modern rank of #2,179.

What does the Dempster surname mean?

A Scottish occupational surname referring to a judge or arbiter, from the Old English "dem(e)stre" meaning "judge."

What does the Dempster map show?

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