NameCensus.

UK surname

Dengate

A surname derived from a geographical place name, possibly referring to a gate or entrance to a valley or den.

In the 1881 census there were 216 people recorded with the Dengate surname, ranking it #12,222 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 168, ranked #21,984, down from #12,222 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sedlescomb, Crowhurst and Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rother and Canterbury.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dengate is 270 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.2%.

1881 census count

216

Ranked #12,222

Modern count

168

2016, ranked #21,984

Peak year

1911

270 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dengate had 216 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,222 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 168 in 2016, ranked #21,984.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 270 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dengate surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dengate surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dengate 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 108 #16,308
1861 historical 156 #14,813
1881 historical 216 #12,222
1891 historical 236 #13,278
1901 historical 264 #12,693
1911 historical 270 #12,273
1997 modern 200 #17,618
1998 modern 199 #18,177
1999 modern 205 #17,960
2000 modern 200 #18,209
2001 modern 199 #17,996
2002 modern 194 #18,651
2003 modern 184 #19,075
2004 modern 182 #19,306
2005 modern 185 #19,051
2006 modern 186 #19,140
2007 modern 186 #19,337
2008 modern 189 #19,315
2009 modern 189 #19,727
2010 modern 193 #19,880
2011 modern 202 #19,154
2012 modern 195 #19,540
2013 modern 182 #20,795
2014 modern 181 #21,033
2015 modern 174 #21,449
2016 modern 168 #21,984

Geography

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Where Dengates are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sedlescomb, Crowhurst, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Ticehurst and Northiam. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rother and Canterbury. 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 Sedlescomb Sussex
2 Crowhurst Sussex
3 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
4 Ticehurst Sussex
5 Northiam Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rother 004 Rother
2 Rother 005 Rother
3 Canterbury 008 Canterbury
4 Rother 002 Rother
5 Canterbury 007 Canterbury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dengate

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dengate

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

Dengate is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dengate falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dengate is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dengate

The surname Dengate is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the county of Kent, particularly in areas around the town of Maidstone. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "denu," meaning a valley or hollow, and "geat," meaning a gate or opening, suggesting it may have referred to someone who lived near a gate in a valley or hollow area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where a John de Dengate is mentioned. The prefix "de" in this early spelling indicates the name's locational origin. Another early reference is in the Feet of Fines for Kent from 1319, which lists a Thomas de Dengate.

While the Dengate surname does not appear in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, there are records of individuals with similar names, such as Walter de Denegate, listed in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex in 1194. This suggests that the name may have evolved from earlier variations like "Denegate."

Notable individuals who have borne the Dengate surname include:

1. Sir Richard Dengate (c. 1535-1614), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1589. 2. John Dengate (c. 1580-1653), an English Puritan clergyman and author of several religious works. 3. William Dengate (1775-1848), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and rose to the rank of Admiral. 4. Mary Dengate (1845-1925), a British philanthropist and social reformer known for her work in establishing women's shelters and supporting education for the underprivileged. 5. Albert Dengate (1892-1968), an Australian rugby union player who represented the Wallabies national team in the early 20th century.

It is worth noting that the surname Dengate has also been associated with various place names, such as Dengate Farm in Kent and Dengate Bridge in Sussex, further reinforcing its locational origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dengate families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dengate 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. Sussex leads with 129 Dengates recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.32x.

County Total Index
Sussex 129 36.32x
Kent 56 7.79x
Surrey 19 1.85x
Bedfordshire 4 3.67x
Middlesex 4 0.19x
Cheshire 1 0.22x
Essex 1 0.24x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.35x
Oxfordshire 1 0.77x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northiam in Sussex leads with 21 Dengates recorded in 1881 and an index of 2413.79x.

Place Total Index
Northiam 21 2413.79x
Wittersham 19 2968.75x
Peasmarsh 14 2333.33x
Hastings St Mary 13 147.06x
Hastings St Mary In The 12 158.31x
Camberwell 11 8.17x
Crowhurst 10 3333.33x
Ticehurst 10 460.83x
Ewhurst 9 1139.24x
Newenden 8 7272.73x
Hastings St Leonards 7 134.10x
Folkestone 6 43.04x
Lambeth 6 3.27x
Sedlescombe 6 1276.60x
East Peckham 5 335.57x
Hollington 5 396.83x
Bedford St Paul 4 53.48x
Hastings All Sts 4 119.40x
Milton In Gravesend 4 37.11x
Uckfield 4 258.06x
Edenbridge 3 212.77x
Westfield 3 394.74x
Brede 2 270.27x
Brenchley 2 77.82x
Eastbourne 2 12.23x
Etchingham 2 303.03x
Goodnestone In Eastry 2 689.66x
Lamberhurstsussex 2 434.78x
St Marylebone London 2 1.78x
Ashburnham 1 178.57x
Buckland In Dover 1 42.02x
Burford 1 88.50x
Canterbury St Mary 1 20.75x
Cholmondeley 1 476.19x
Ewell 1 46.08x
Hastings St Andrew 1 78.74x
Hawkhurst 1 44.84x
Ightham 1 111.11x
Kensington London 1 0.85x
Ore 1 37.88x
Southwark Christchurch 1 10.13x
Speldhurst 1 27.32x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.69x
Tenterden 1 39.37x
Tonbridge 1 3.86x
West Ham 1 1.09x
Worksop 1 11.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
James 15
John 13
William 12
George 8
Alfred 5
Henry 5
Albert 4
Charles 4
David 3
Herbert 3
Richard 3
Thomas 3
Alffred 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Charlie 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Limbrust 1

FAQ

Dengate surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dengate surname in 1881?

In 1881, 216 people were recorded with the Dengate surname. That placed it at #12,222 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dengate surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 168 in 2016. That gives Dengate a modern rank of #21,984.

What does the Dengate surname mean?

A surname derived from a geographical place name, possibly referring to a gate or entrance to a valley or den.

What does the Dengate map show?

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