NameCensus.

UK surname

Dew

An English topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a pond or stream.

In the 1881 census there were 1,737 people recorded with the Dew surname, ranking it #2,486 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,607, ranked #3,871, down from #2,486 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rugby, Huntingdonshire and Malvern Hills.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dew is 2,224 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 7.5%.

1881 census count

1,737

Ranked #2,486

Modern count

1,607

2016, ranked #3,871

Peak year

1901

2,224 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dew had 1,737 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,486 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,607 in 2016, ranked #3,871.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,224 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dew surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dew surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Dew 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 1,254 #2,277
1881 historical 1,737 #2,486
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 2,224 #2,430
1997 modern 1,814 #3,308
1998 modern 1,875 #3,345
1999 modern 1,856 #3,386
2000 modern 1,837 #3,400
2001 modern 1,765 #3,450
2002 modern 1,771 #3,518
2003 modern 1,740 #3,501
2004 modern 1,729 #3,518
2005 modern 1,655 #3,626
2006 modern 1,637 #3,668
2007 modern 1,632 #3,709
2008 modern 1,605 #3,783
2009 modern 1,672 #3,735
2010 modern 1,706 #3,751
2011 modern 1,677 #3,759
2012 modern 1,635 #3,764
2013 modern 1,684 #3,737
2014 modern 1,653 #3,824
2015 modern 1,639 #3,812
2016 modern 1,607 #3,871

Geography

Back to top

Where Dews are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Gateshead and Gamlingay. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rugby, Huntingdonshire, Malvern Hills, Caerphilly and Mid Suffolk. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Gamlingay Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rugby 001 Rugby
2 Huntingdonshire 006 Huntingdonshire
3 Malvern Hills 002 Malvern Hills
4 Caerphilly 011 Caerphilly
5 Mid Suffolk 003 Mid Suffolk

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Dew

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Dew

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Dew is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Dew is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Dew

The surname DEW is of Anglo-Saxon origin, tracing its roots back to the areas of England and Wales during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "deaw," meaning "dew" or "moisture." This name was likely originally a descriptive nickname referring to someone who lived near a particularly dewy area or worked in a damp environment.

One of the earliest known recordings of the name DEW can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Deu" in Somerset. This ancient record provides evidence of the name's existence and usage during the Norman conquest of England.

In the 13th century, various spellings of the name can be found in historical records, such as "Deu" and "Dewe." The variation in spelling was common during this time due to the lack of standardized English orthography.

One notable early bearer of the DEW surname was John Dew, a prominent English merchant who lived in the late 14th century. He is mentioned in several trade records from the city of Bristol, indicating his involvement in the wool trade.

Another historical figure with the DEW surname was Thomas Dew (c. 1550-1620), an English clergyman and academic. He served as the Archdeacon of Suffolk and was a renowned scholar of his time.

In the 17th century, the name DEW appeared in various parts of England and Wales, with several individuals making their mark in different fields. One such individual was Edmund Dew (1628-1701), a member of the English Parliament who represented the borough of Maldon, Essex.

Moving into the 18th century, we find Samuel Dew (1705-1775), an English poet and playwright who was celebrated for his satirical works. His most famous work, "The Satirical Odes," was published in 1737 and received widespread acclaim.

Another notable bearer of the DEW surname was Sir Thomas Dew (1760-1845), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He rose through the ranks and was eventually knighted for his distinguished service.

These examples illustrate the historical presence and significance of the DEW surname across various regions of England and Wales, spanning several centuries. While the name may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it has since become a well-established surname with a rich tapestry of historical figures and achievements.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Dew families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dew 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. Middlesex leads with 296 Dews recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.74x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 296 1.74x
Wiltshire 168 11.17x
Surrey 109 1.31x
Herefordshire 87 12.47x
Hampshire 81 2.32x
Norfolk 69 2.64x
Monmouthshire 62 5.04x
Somerset 58 2.12x
Huntingdonshire 57 16.87x
Devon 48 1.36x
Durham 45 0.89x
Suffolk 45 2.17x
Yorkshire 45 0.27x
Cambridgeshire 44 4.08x
Berkshire 38 2.98x
Gloucestershire 38 1.14x
Kent 38 0.65x
Glamorgan 32 1.08x
Lancashire 29 0.14x
Oxfordshire 29 2.76x
Warwickshire 29 0.68x
Essex 27 0.80x
Anglesey 24 7.96x
Hertfordshire 23 1.96x
Dorset 22 1.97x
Bedfordshire 19 2.16x
Northamptonshire 19 1.19x
Buckinghamshire 17 1.65x
Cheshire 17 0.45x
Denbighshire 17 2.65x
Staffordshire 16 0.28x
Derbyshire 15 0.56x
Worcestershire 13 0.59x
Caernarfonshire 9 1.31x
Cornwall 9 0.47x
Radnorshire 9 6.56x
Flintshire 8 1.75x
Lincolnshire 7 0.26x
Selkirkshire 7 4.55x
Sussex 7 0.24x
Royal Navy 3 1.48x
Leicestershire 2 0.11x
Peeblesshire 2 2.50x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.37x
Northumberland 1 0.04x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.04x
Westmorland 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westbury in Wiltshire leads with 50 Dews recorded in 1881 and an index of 142.37x.

Place Total Index
Westbury 50 142.37x
Islington London 42 2.55x
Westoe 41 14.29x
Alconbury 27 673.32x
Gamlingay 25 222.82x
Camberwell 24 2.21x
St Marylebone London 23 2.53x
Calne 22 71.04x
Edmonton 19 13.86x
Lambeth 19 1.28x
Biggleswade 17 58.93x
Chelsea London 17 3.32x
Denbigh 17 65.92x
St Pancras London 17 1.24x
Stoke Damerel 17 6.86x
Trowbridge 17 25.56x
Hammersmith London 16 3.82x
Paddington London 16 2.56x
St George Hanover Square 15 5.00x
Kensington London 13 1.37x
Monmouth 13 39.87x
Salthouse 13 1074.38x
Aldbourn 12 136.99x
Blakeney 12 256.41x
Elmswell 12 270.88x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 12 25.54x
Great Hormead 12 397.35x
Plumstead 12 6.20x
Bermondsey 11 2.17x
Lower Heyford 11 359.48x
Battersea 10 1.60x
Beckington 10 185.19x
Cosford 10 3846.15x
Everton 10 1.55x
Hereford St Owen 10 43.40x
Thatcham 10 50.81x
Walsham Le Willows 10 144.51x
Brading 9 19.42x
Cherhill 9 535.71x
Clerkenwell London 9 2.24x
Great Yarmouth 9 4.15x
Llandysilio 9 95.14x
Llanvetherine 9 697.67x
Mile End Old Town London 9 2.49x
Milton Lilborne 9 256.41x
New Windsor 9 20.96x
Peterstow 9 418.60x
St Stephen 9 131.77x
Westonsuper Mare 9 161.29x
Whitney 9 576.92x
Wolverton 9 42.29x
Wood Norton 9 545.45x
Woodford Cum Membris 9 263.16x
Bedwellty 8 3.68x
Bishopstoke 8 89.39x
Bristol St Augustine 8 14.86x
Exeter St Thomas The 8 22.16x
Frome 8 12.21x
Gladestry 8 406.09x
Goodrich 8 183.49x
Ledbury 8 33.39x
Swansea Town 8 3.29x
Wolverhampton 8 1.81x
Woodbury 8 76.19x
Bangor 7 10.55x
Bethnal Green London 7 0.95x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 7 18.00x
Catworth 7 2413.79x
Clapham 7 3.29x
Foots Cray 7 63.01x
Holmpton 7 555.56x
Isleworth 7 9.26x
Kings Norton 7 3.51x
Llandaff 7 7.10x
Llanthewy Vach 7 729.17x
Melrose 7 18.07x
Portsea 7 1.02x
Reading St Mary 7 6.84x
St George Martyr London 7 20.31x
Moccas 6 582.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 114
Elizabeth 73
Sarah 62
Emma 35
Eliza 33
Ann 31
Annie 30
Jane 28
Emily 27
Ellen 25
Alice 19
Frances 15
Hannah 14
Martha 14
Edith 13
Florence 13
Ada 12
Caroline 12
Charlotte 11
Catherine 10
Harriet 10
Clara 8
Kate 8
Louisa 8
Margaret 8
Maria 8
Anne 7
Fanny 7
Jessie 7
Laura 7
Lucy 7
Susan 7
Agnes 6
Julia 6
Amelia 5
Eleanor 5
Rosina 5
Sophia 5
Anna 4
Elizth. 4
Gertrude 4
Kezia 4
Lydia 4
Amy 3
Esther 3
Helen 3
Jemima 3
Rachel 3
Rebecca 3
Rose 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 120
John 85
George 64
Henry 47
Thomas 44
Charles 41
James 41
Walter 23
Frederick 21
Edward 18
Robert 18
Alfred 17
Arthur 17
Joseph 17
Albert 16
Samuel 13
Frank 11
Harry 11
Francis 10
Daniel 9
Ernest 7
Edwin 6
Richard 6
Tom 6
Benjamin 5
Herbert 5
Isaac 5
Roderick 5
Wm. 5
Edmund 4
Thos. 4
Denys 3
Ebenezer 3
Fredrick 3
Job 3
Oliver 3
Abraham 2
Butiffe 2
Croft 2
David 2
Fred 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Jabez 2
Jno. 2
Leonard 2
Oscar 2
Owen 2
Peter 2
Robt. 2

FAQ

Dew surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dew surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,737 people were recorded with the Dew surname. That placed it at #2,486 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dew surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,607 in 2016. That gives Dew a modern rank of #3,871.

What does the Dew surname mean?

An English topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a pond or stream.

What does the Dew map show?

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