UK surname
A surname derived from the Scottish personal name "Dennis" of Greek origin.
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Dennies surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 31, ranked #35,942, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Alkmund, Thornton and Jarrow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dennies is 128 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 18.4%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
31
2016, ranked #35,942
Peak year
1891
128 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dennies surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dennies surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 116 | #15,545 |
| 1861 | historical | 115 | #18,880 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 128 | #20,393 |
| 1901 | historical | 62 | #27,252 |
| 1911 | historical | 53 | #27,508 |
| 1997 | modern | 30 | #34,701 |
| 1998 | modern | 30 | #34,833 |
| 1999 | modern | 32 | #34,717 |
| 2000 | modern | 30 | #34,885 |
| 2001 | modern | 30 | #34,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 32 | #34,790 |
| 2003 | modern | 28 | #35,200 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 27 | #35,588 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 22 | #36,213 |
| 2008 | modern | 23 | #36,211 |
| 2009 | modern | 22 | #36,394 |
| 2010 | modern | 27 | #36,153 |
| 2011 | modern | 26 | #36,193 |
| 2012 | modern | 26 | #36,166 |
| 2013 | modern | 31 | #35,927 |
| 2014 | modern | 31 | #35,953 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 31 | #35,942 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Alkmund, Thornton, Jarrow, Brighton and Ashby-de-la-Zouch. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Alkmund | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Thornton | Leicestershire |
| 3 | Jarrow | Durham |
| 4 | Brighton | Sussex |
| 5 | Ashby-de-la-Zouch | Leicestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dennies surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dennies, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Dennies surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dennies household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Dennies is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dennies is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dennies, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "DENNIES" is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "den," which referred to a valley or a narrow wooded area. This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived or worked in such a location.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners and tenants commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman invasion of England. The name appears as "de Dena," indicating that it was likely associated with a specific place name.
Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including "Denne," "Denny," and eventually "Dennies." This was a common occurrence during the Middle Ages, as spelling conventions were not standardized, and names were often recorded phonetically by scribes.
In the 13th century, records show a John de Dene from Essex, who may have been one of the earliest bearers of the name. Another notable figure was Sir Walter Denys (1320-1379), a prominent English soldier and landowner during the Hundred Years' War.
During the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the emergence of Sir Thomas Dennyes (1508-1559), an English politician and member of Parliament. He was known for his involvement in the dissolution of the monasteries under King Henry VIII.
Another significant figure was Sir Edward Dennies (1572-1628), an English explorer and colonial administrator who played a crucial role in the early colonization of Virginia. He was involved in the establishment of the Jamestown settlement and served as a member of the Virginia Company of London.
In the 18th century, Joseph Dennies (1716-1768) was a renowned English clockmaker and inventor, known for his innovative designs and contributions to the field of horology.
Throughout history, the surname "DENNIES" has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, soldiers, politicians, explorers, and craftsmen. While the exact origin and meaning of the name may be subject to interpretation, it has left an indelible mark on historical records and continues to be a distinctive surname in various parts of the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dennies surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Leicestershire leads with 14 Dennies' recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.09x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leicestershire | 14 | 34.09x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 2.18x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.35x |
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 18.67x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 3.21x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 5.21x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.55x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.38x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashby De La Zouch in Leicestershire leads with 14 Dennies' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1473.68x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ashby De La Zouch | 14 | 1473.68x |
| Bishop Wilton Cum | 7 | 10000.00x |
| St Pancras London | 5 | 16.77x |
| Trevethin | 5 | 197.63x |
| Birmingham | 3 | 9.64x |
| Dowdeswell | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Maulden | 1 | 588.24x |
| Southcoates | 1 | 49.02x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 18.90x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dennies surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Dennies surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Dennies households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| Coal Miner Pensioner | 3 |
| Grocers Assistant Unemployed | 1 |
| Hat Sewer | 1 |
| Hutkeeper (Dom) | 1 |
| Innkeeper & Coal Miner | 1 |
| Jewellers Clerk | 1 |
| Raily Porter | 1 |
| Tailor & Draper | 1 |
| Tailor & Draper Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Dennies surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 31 in 2016. That gives Dennies a modern rank of #35,942.
A surname derived from the Scottish personal name "Dennis" of Greek origin.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dennies bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.