NameCensus.

UK surname

Dibbs

A variant spelling of the occupational surname Dibb, referring to someone employed as a ditch-digger.

In the 1881 census there were 144 people recorded with the Dibbs surname, ranking it #15,891 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 111, ranked #29,049, down from #15,891 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Odiham, Swindon, Lyddington and Arbroath and St. Vigeans. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrogate, Gloucester and Rushmoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dibbs is 192 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.9%.

1881 census count

144

Ranked #15,891

Modern count

111

2016, ranked #29,049

Peak year

1901

192 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dibbs had 144 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,891 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016, ranked #29,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 192 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dibbs surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dibbs surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dibbs 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 95 #17,707
1861 historical 113 #19,151
1881 historical 144 #15,891
1891 historical 154 #18,004
1901 historical 192 #15,518
1911 historical 164 #16,879
1997 modern 143 #21,761
1998 modern 135 #23,118
1999 modern 132 #23,602
2000 modern 136 #23,155
2001 modern 135 #22,945
2002 modern 129 #24,021
2003 modern 136 #23,045
2004 modern 137 #23,098
2005 modern 126 #24,287
2006 modern 117 #25,695
2007 modern 113 #26,641
2008 modern 104 #28,341
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 108 #28,996
2011 modern 110 #28,478
2012 modern 105 #29,362
2013 modern 115 #28,176
2014 modern 114 #28,608
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 111 #29,049

Geography

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Where Dibbs' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Odiham, Swindon, Lyddington, Arbroath and St. Vigeans, London parishes and Auckland St Andrew. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Harrogate, Gloucester, Rushmoor, Arun and Stockport. 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 Odiham Hampshire
2 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
3 Arbroath and St. Vigeans Forfar
4 London parishes London 3
5 Auckland St Andrew Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Harrogate 015 Harrogate
2 Gloucester 007 Gloucester
3 Rushmoor 007 Rushmoor
4 Arun 015 Arun
5 Stockport 017 Stockport

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dibbs

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dibbs

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Dibbs is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dibbs is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dibbs falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dibbs is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dibbs

The surname DIBBS is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "dybban," which means to immerse or dip. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a body of water or worked in a profession related to dyeing or tanning.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name DIBBS can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls, a census-like record compiled in England in 1273. The name is listed as "Dibbe" in this document, which provides evidence of its existence during the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname DIBBS appeared in several records from the county of Yorkshire. For example, a man named John Dibbes is mentioned in the Yorkshire Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1301. This suggests that the name may have been particularly prevalent in that region during the Middle Ages.

The DIBBS surname can also be traced back to various place names in England, such as Dibb's Cross in Shropshire and Dibb's Farm in Gloucestershire. These locations likely derived their names from early settlers with the DIBBS surname, further solidifying the name's connection to the country.

One notable individual with the DIBBS surname was Sir John Dibbs (1546-1629), a wealthy merchant and influential figure in the city of London during the Elizabethan era. He served as an alderman and was knighted by King James I in 1617.

Another prominent bearer of the DIBBS name was Robert Dibbs (1670-1742), a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Exchange in London. His work played a significant role in shaping the architectural landscape of the city during the 18th century.

In the 19th century, the DIBBS surname gained further recognition with the birth of William Dibbs (1835-1909), an Australian politician and businessman. He served as the Premier of New South Wales from 1891 to 1894 and made significant contributions to the development of the colony's infrastructure and industry.

Thomas Dibbs (1776-1847), an English poet and playwright, was also a notable figure associated with the DIBBS surname. His works, including the play "The Farmer's Wife" and the poem "The Shipwreck," were well-received during his lifetime and helped establish his reputation as a literary figure.

The surname DIBBS has a rich history that spans centuries and is deeply rooted in English culture and tradition. From its possible origins as a name associated with water-related professions to its presence in historical records and notable individuals, the DIBBS surname has left an indelible mark on various aspects of society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dibbs families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dibbs 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. Surrey leads with 24 Dibbs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.51x.

County Total Index
Surrey 24 3.51x
Yorkshire 24 1.72x
Kent 17 3.55x
Hampshire 13 4.52x
Middlesex 12 0.85x
Durham 9 2.15x
Wiltshire 9 7.25x
Perthshire 8 12.69x
Derbyshire 6 2.73x
Shropshire 6 4.94x
Stirlingshire 4 7.72x
Lancashire 2 0.12x
Staffordshire 2 0.42x
Angus 1 0.77x
Cheshire 1 0.32x
Fife 1 1.20x
Monmouthshire 1 0.98x
Pembrokeshire 1 2.24x
Renfrewshire 1 0.92x
Sussex 1 0.42x
Warwickshire 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deptford St Nicholas in Kent leads with 14 Dibbs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 368.42x.

Place Total Index
Deptford St Nicholas 14 368.42x
Swindon 9 93.36x
Bermondsey 8 19.13x
Odiham 8 634.92x
Ferrensby 7 11666.67x
Bolsover 6 545.45x
Drypool 6 281.69x
St Andrew Holborn London 6 98.68x
Whitchurch 6 255.32x
Bishop Auckland 5 89.13x
Dunkeld Dowally 5 2380.95x
Hunslet 4 18.43x
Newington 4 7.71x
Rotherhithe 4 23.05x
Crondall 3 193.55x
Falkirk 3 24.73x
Follifoot 3 1250.00x
Perth East Church 3 50.51x
Wimbledon 3 39.06x
Battersea 2 3.87x
Camberwell 2 2.23x
Cliffe 2 185.19x
Ferryhill 2 136.99x
Knaresborough 2 91.32x
St George Hanover Square 2 8.08x
St Pancras London 2 1.77x
Whitworth 2 65.36x
Aberystruth 1 11.17x
Aldershot 1 10.37x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 1 21.01x
Brighton 1 2.09x
Castle Church 1 35.09x
Cupar 1 27.62x
Dogmersfield 1 714.29x
Kilsyth 1 30.30x
Mitcham 1 23.09x
Morley 1 13.81x
Newhall In Nantwich 1 294.12x
Paisley Middle Church 1 15.77x
Pembroke St Mary 1 17.39x
Pendleton In Salford 1 5.04x
Radway 1 833.33x
St Giles In Fields London 1 14.51x
St Gilesin Fields London 1 84.03x
St Vigeans 1 14.25x
Stafford St Mary 1 14.90x
Toxteth Park 1 1.77x
Woolwich 1 5.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 10
William 9
Thomas 7
George 6
Charles 3
Robert 3
Edward 2
Joseph 2
Matthew 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Clarance 1
Eli 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Infant 1
James 1
Mark 1
Sidney 1
Soloman 1
Solomon 1
Victor 1
W.J. 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Dibbs surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dibbs surname in 1881?

In 1881, 144 people were recorded with the Dibbs surname. That placed it at #15,891 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dibbs surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016. That gives Dibbs a modern rank of #29,049.

What does the Dibbs surname mean?

A variant spelling of the occupational surname Dibb, referring to someone employed as a ditch-digger.

What does the Dibbs map show?

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