NameCensus.

UK surname

Denne

A topographic surname referring to someone who lived in a valley or hollow.

In the 1881 census there were 402 people recorded with the Denne surname, ranking it #7,949 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 414, ranked #11,574, down from #7,949 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Herne (incl. Herne Bay Chapelry), London parishes and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dover, Bromley and Aylesbury Vale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Denne is 573 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.0%.

1881 census count

402

Ranked #7,949

Modern count

414

2016, ranked #11,574

Peak year

1911

573 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Denne had 402 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,949 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 414 in 2016, ranked #11,574.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 573 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Denne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Denne surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Denne 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 324 #7,179
1861 historical 324 #7,860
1881 historical 402 #7,949
1891 historical 438 #8,234
1901 historical 468 #8,458
1911 historical 573 #7,078
1997 modern 450 #10,075
1998 modern 469 #10,079
1999 modern 452 #10,422
2000 modern 443 #10,578
2001 modern 433 #10,561
2002 modern 435 #10,736
2003 modern 426 #10,742
2004 modern 413 #11,021
2005 modern 406 #11,061
2006 modern 411 #10,998
2007 modern 407 #11,228
2008 modern 407 #11,310
2009 modern 413 #11,436
2010 modern 423 #11,470
2011 modern 419 #11,422
2012 modern 430 #11,065
2013 modern 438 #11,071
2014 modern 438 #11,149
2015 modern 429 #11,252
2016 modern 414 #11,574

Geography

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Where Dennes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Herne (incl. Herne Bay Chapelry), London parishes, Lambeth, Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh and Walmer. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dover, Bromley, Aylesbury Vale and Ashford. 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 Herne (incl. Herne Bay Chapelry) Kent
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh Kent
5 Walmer Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dover 003 Dover
2 Bromley 008 Bromley
3 Aylesbury Vale 006 Aylesbury Vale
4 Ashford 001 Ashford
5 Ashford 012 Ashford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Denne

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Denne

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Denne 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

Denne is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Denne

The surname Denne has its origins in England, with the earliest records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "denu," which means a valley or a hollow. This suggests that the name Denne was initially a topographic surname, referring to people who lived in or near a valley or a hollow area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Denne can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1190, where a person named Adam de la Denne is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the late 12th century.

The surname Denne is also found in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. For instance, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a John de la Denne from Oxfordshire, while the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 list a William atte Denne from Sussex.

In the 15th century, the name Denne appeared in several notable records. The Visitation of Kent in 1492 mentions a Thomas Denne, while the Visitation of Oxfordshire in 1566 lists a George Denne. It is worth noting that during this period, the name was sometimes spelled as "Dene" or "Denn," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common in those times.

Among the notable individuals who bore the surname Denne throughout history are:

1. Sir Anthony Denne (1564-1624), an English politician and Member of Parliament. 2. John Denne (1693-1767), an English clergyman and author known for his work "The State of Britain." 3. Samuel Denne (1730-1799), an English scholar and author who wrote on biblical criticism and Hebrew literature. 4. John Denne (1785-1842), an English engraver and artist known for his landscapes and architectural drawings. 5. Peter Denne (1920-2010), a British actor and playwright who appeared in various television and film productions.

The surname Denne has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Denne Hill in Kent and Denne Park in Horsham, West Sussex. These places may have derived their names from the surname or vice versa, reflecting the close connection between surnames and geographic locations in medieval times.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Denne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Denne 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. Kent leads with 227 Dennes recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.05x.

County Total Index
Kent 227 17.05x
Surrey 61 3.21x
Middlesex 44 1.13x
Gloucestershire 19 2.48x
Sussex 16 2.43x
Devon 15 1.85x
Dorset 4 1.56x
Monmouthshire 4 1.42x
Yorkshire 4 0.10x
Essex 2 0.26x
Berkshire 1 0.34x
Hampshire 1 0.13x
Hertfordshire 1 0.37x
Somerset 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deal in Kent leads with 42 Dennes recorded in 1881 and an index of 369.72x.

Place Total Index
Deal 42 369.72x
Lambeth 25 7.35x
Hythe St Leonard 13 276.60x
Charlton 11 124.43x
Cheltenham 11 18.63x
Walmer 11 189.98x
Islington London 10 2.64x
Margate St John Baptist 10 41.02x
Ramsgate 10 46.02x
Camberwell 9 3.61x
Wimbledon 9 42.15x
Battersea 8 5.57x
Eastbourne 8 26.43x
Pluckley 8 650.41x
Rodborough 8 216.22x
Sheldon 8 4210.53x
Woodnesborough 8 655.74x
Brighton 7 5.27x
Canterbury St Mary 7 78.39x
Canterbury St Mildred 7 221.52x
Hackney London 7 3.20x
Sittingbourne 7 66.60x
Hammersmith London 6 6.24x
Hougham 6 75.76x
River 6 705.88x
Sandwich St Peter 6 428.57x
Axminster 5 131.23x
Canterbury St George 5 312.50x
Canterbury St Peter 5 333.33x
Chatham 5 13.65x
Faversham 5 39.40x
Ash Next Sandwich 4 136.05x
Bromley London 4 4.66x
Buckland In Dover 4 90.70x
Doncaster 4 14.16x
Farnham 4 27.06x
Fordington 4 72.46x
Littlebourne 4 396.04x
Mile End Old Town London 4 4.82x
Panteg 4 90.09x
Whitechapel London 4 10.40x
Canterbury St Mary N 3 333.33x
Dover St Mary Virgin 3 23.29x
Milton In Milton 3 53.00x
Monkton 3 600.00x
Ospringe 3 182.93x
Shoreditch London 3 1.77x
Bapchild 2 357.14x
Cheriton 2 36.83x
Eastry 2 108.11x
Godmersham 2 416.67x
Minster In Thanet 2 72.20x
Reigate Foreign 2 9.71x
Richmond 2 7.51x
St Pancras London 2 0.64x
Tonge 2 476.19x
Borden 1 59.17x
Canterbury St Alphage 1 70.42x
Clapham 1 2.05x
Clewer 1 8.33x
Croydon 1 0.95x
Dover St James 1 17.15x
East Farleigh 1 44.84x
East Peckham 1 36.23x
Goodnestone In Eastry 1 185.19x
Guston Charlton 1 454.55x
Hackington St Stephen 1 117.65x
Hertford St John 1 24.94x
Ifield 1 36.50x
Kensington London 1 0.46x
Mundon 1 232.56x
Paddington London 1 0.70x
Portishead 1 21.41x
Prittlewell 1 9.37x
Sevenoaks 1 9.27x
Teynham 1 41.67x
Uffculme 1 41.32x
Westminster St James 1 2.49x
Whitstable 1 15.31x
Woolwich 1 2.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 23
Thomas 18
Henry 17
George 16
John 16
Edward 10
Charles 9
Richard 9
Albert 6
Alfred 5
Robert 5
Frederick 4
Walter 4
Alured 3
Arthur 3
Herbert 3
Mark 3
Wm. 3
Christopher 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Abram 1
Alfd. 1
Algernon 1
Ambrose 1
Archibald 1
Ceil 1
David 1
Denne 1
Eustace 1
Filmer 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Gilbert 1
Harrison 1
Harvey 1
Horice 1
Infant 1
Iver 1
James 1
Jno. 1
Lambert 1
Millham 1
Percy 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1
W.H. 1

FAQ

Denne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Denne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 402 people were recorded with the Denne surname. That placed it at #7,949 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Denne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 414 in 2016. That gives Denne a modern rank of #11,574.

What does the Denne surname mean?

A topographic surname referring to someone who lived in a valley or hollow.

What does the Denne map show?

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