NameCensus.

UK surname

Dickenson

Derived from the given name Richard or Dick, combined with the patronymic suffix -son, meaning "son of Dick."

In the 1881 census there were 4,527 people recorded with the Dickenson surname, ranking it #992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,027, ranked #3,178, down from #992 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Over, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, Stroud and Stockton-on-Tees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dickenson is 5,377 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 55.2%.

1881 census count

4,527

Ranked #992

Modern count

2,027

2016, ranked #3,178

Peak year

1901

5,377 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dickenson had 4,527 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #992 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,027 in 2016, ranked #3,178.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,377 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dickenson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dickenson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dickenson 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 2,869 #1,016
1861 historical 2,766 #1,057
1881 historical 4,527 #992
1891 historical 4,989 #940
1901 historical 5,377 #1,045
1911 historical 3,363 #1,552
1997 modern 2,253 #2,753
1998 modern 2,315 #2,786
1999 modern 2,330 #2,795
2000 modern 2,321 #2,782
2001 modern 2,246 #2,810
2002 modern 2,287 #2,826
2003 modern 2,191 #2,872
2004 modern 2,199 #2,866
2005 modern 2,134 #2,907
2006 modern 2,113 #2,938
2007 modern 2,111 #2,975
2008 modern 2,116 #2,986
2009 modern 2,192 #2,956
2010 modern 2,258 #2,945
2011 modern 2,193 #2,980
2012 modern 2,086 #3,071
2013 modern 2,127 #3,065
2014 modern 2,107 #3,119
2015 modern 2,057 #3,155
2016 modern 2,027 #3,178

Geography

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Where Dickensons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Over, London parishes, Manchester and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire, Stroud, Stockton-on-Tees, Wiltshire and Warrington. 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 Over Cheshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 001 North Lincolnshire
2 Stroud 002 Stroud
3 Stockton-on-Tees 003 Stockton-on-Tees
4 Wiltshire 005 Wiltshire
5 Warrington 018 Warrington

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dickenson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dickenson

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

Dickenson 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

Dickenson falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dickenson 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 Dickenson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dickenson

The surname Dickenson is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is a patronymic name derived from the given name Dick, which is a diminutive form of Richard. The suffix "-son" was commonly added to given names to denote "son of."

One of the earliest recorded references to the surname Dickenson can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which mention a Robert Dikesone in Lincolnshire. This early spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surname spellings during that era.

In the 14th century, the Dickenson surname appears in various historical records, including the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, which list a Johannes Diksonson. This record suggests the surname may have originated or been particularly prevalent in Yorkshire.

The Dickinson surname, a variant spelling, can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, a Thomas Dicun is recorded, which could be an early form of the surname.

One notable figure in history bearing the Dickenson surname was John Dickenson, an English clergyman born in 1576. He served as the Bishop of Salisbury from 1619 until his death in 1633.

Another historical figure was Edmund Dickenson, a 17th-century English lawyer and author. He was born in 1624 and became a prominent writer on constitutional law and the rights of Parliament.

In the 18th century, John Dickenson, born in 1732, was a influential American politician and revolutionary leader. He played a significant role in the American Revolution and was known as the "Penman of the Revolution."

Another individual of note was Philemon Dickenson, born in 1788, who served as a Judge in New Jersey and was actively involved in the anti-slavery movement in the United States.

Lastly, Reverend Jeremiah Dickenson, born in 1753, was a Methodist preacher and missionary who helped establish several churches in Virginia and North Carolina during the late 18th century.

These historical figures and records demonstrate the widespread use and variations of the Dickenson surname throughout different regions and time periods, reflecting its English origins and patronymic roots.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dickenson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dickenson 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. Lancashire leads with 1,194 Dickensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.27x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1,194 2.27x
Yorkshire 925 2.11x
Middlesex 399 0.90x
Cheshire 258 2.64x
Surrey 204 0.95x
Lincolnshire 185 2.61x
Durham 164 1.24x
Staffordshire 136 0.91x
Northumberland 92 1.40x
Gloucestershire 87 1.00x
Kent 84 0.56x
Warwickshire 78 0.70x
Derbyshire 75 1.08x
Hertfordshire 62 2.03x
Nottinghamshire 61 1.02x
Cumberland 47 1.23x
Northamptonshire 44 1.06x
Somerset 44 0.62x
Sussex 42 0.56x
Hampshire 33 0.36x
Wiltshire 32 0.82x
Worcestershire 30 0.52x
Leicestershire 23 0.47x
Flintshire 20 1.68x
Norfolk 20 0.29x
Bedfordshire 17 0.74x
Essex 16 0.18x
Berkshire 15 0.45x
Lanarkshire 14 0.10x
Glamorgan 13 0.17x
Isle of Man 12 1.46x
Shropshire 12 0.31x
Dorset 10 0.34x
Cambridgeshire 9 0.32x
Huntingdonshire 9 1.02x
Oxfordshire 9 0.33x
Westmorland 9 0.92x
Buckinghamshire 8 0.30x
Monmouthshire 8 0.25x
Devon 7 0.08x
Midlothian 5 0.08x
Suffolk 4 0.07x
Channel Islands 3 0.23x
Renfrewshire 3 0.09x
Royal Navy 3 0.57x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.11x
East Lothian 2 0.34x
Radnorshire 2 0.56x
Argyllshire 1 0.08x
Berwickshire 1 0.19x
Cornwall 1 0.02x
Denbighshire 1 0.06x
Herefordshire 1 0.06x
Merionethshire 1 0.12x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.07x
Roxburghshire 1 0.12x
Selkirkshire 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Over in Cheshire leads with 50 Dickensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.32x.

Place Total Index
Over 50 50.32x
Preston 49 3.49x
Islington London 48 1.12x
Manchester 45 1.90x
Warrington 44 7.06x
Leeds 43 1.74x
Sheffield 42 3.01x
Birmingham 41 1.10x
Huddersfield 40 6.26x
Lambeth 40 1.04x
Formby 38 63.87x
St Pancras London 38 1.07x
Camberwell 37 1.31x
Hulme 37 3.37x
Orrell 36 55.10x
Habergham Eaves 35 7.29x
Hoyland Nether 35 32.52x
Kensington London 35 1.42x
West Derby 34 2.21x
Ecclesfield 33 10.26x
Everton 32 1.91x
Southwark St George Martyr 31 3.48x
Toxteth Park 30 1.69x
Holy Trinity 29 2.75x
Oldham 29 1.71x
Paddington London 29 1.78x
Hornsey 27 4.82x
Kirkdale 27 3.05x
Liverpool 27 0.85x
Salford 27 1.75x
Morley 26 11.40x
West Bromwich 25 2.92x
Hindley 23 10.27x
Ecclesall Bierlow 22 2.46x
Little Bolton 22 3.26x
Eccleston In Prescot 21 7.96x
Quadring 21 153.96x
St Marylebone London 21 0.89x
Stockton On Tees 21 3.31x
Wakefield 21 6.23x
Abbots Langley 20 44.11x
Ashton Under Lyne 20 1.74x
Battersea 20 1.23x
Crook Billy Row 20 11.85x
Whitehaven 20 9.84x
Wigan 20 2.72x
Dalton In Furness 19 9.37x
Droylsden 19 11.08x
Ince In Makerfield 19 7.77x
Pudsey 19 8.10x
Stretford 19 6.57x
Brighton 18 1.19x
North Meols 18 3.50x
Wharton 18 33.81x
Blackburn 17 1.22x
Chorlton On Medlock 17 2.04x
Louth 17 10.48x
St George Hanover Square 17 2.18x
Thornaby 17 10.37x
Clitheroe 16 10.34x
Great Bolton 16 2.30x
Monks Coppenhall 16 4.34x
Barrow In Furness 15 2.10x
Byker 15 4.60x
Keighley 15 3.21x
Mirfield 15 6.23x
Nether Hallam 15 2.53x
Pennington In Leigh 15 14.88x
Walton On Hill 15 5.27x
Derby St Peter 14 6.34x
Holywell 14 9.37x
Kings Norton 14 2.70x
Macclesfield 14 3.22x
Morpeth 14 18.07x
Oswaldtwistle 14 7.54x
Saxelby With Ingleby 14 77.48x
Tipton 14 3.06x
Burton Upon Trent 13 3.72x
Grantham 13 14.09x
Wolverhampton 13 1.13x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 354
Elizabeth 209
Sarah 185
Ann 107
Jane 87
Ellen 79
Alice 77
Margaret 71
Annie 69
Hannah 61
Eliza 59
Martha 57
Emma 53
Emily 42
Charlotte 24
Clara 24
Edith 24
Harriet 24
Catherine 23
Lucy 23
Florence 22
Isabella 22
Caroline 21
Maria 21
Kate 19
Rebecca 18
Ada 17
Frances 17
Anne 16
Louisa 16
Fanny 15
Agnes 14
Rose 13
Amy 11
Esther 10
Susan 10
Betty 9
Elizth. 9
Jessie 9
Rachel 9
Susannah 9
Gertrude 8
Harriett 8
Julia 8
Ruth 8
Ethel 7
Francis 7
Eleanor 6
Lydia 6
Matilda 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 310
William 263
Thomas 170
James 147
George 143
Joseph 98
Henry 77
Robert 71
Charles 63
Alfred 43
Samuel 43
Edward 34
Richard 34
Arthur 32
Frederick 24
Benjamin 21
Frank 21
Walter 21
Albert 20
Tom 20
Harry 16
Francis 15
Fred 15
Herbert 15
Peter 15
Ernest 13
Isaac 13
Thos. 13
David 11
Edwin 10
Ralph 10
Wm. 10
Geo. 8
Joshua 7
Daniel 6
Sam 6
Joe 5
Robt. 5
Willm. 5
Alexander 4
Amos 4
Harold 4
Jacob 4
Jonathan 4
Leonard 4
Luke 4
Moses 4
Richd. 4
Jeremiah 3
Phillip 3

FAQ

Dickenson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dickenson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,527 people were recorded with the Dickenson surname. That placed it at #992 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dickenson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,027 in 2016. That gives Dickenson a modern rank of #3,178.

What does the Dickenson surname mean?

Derived from the given name Richard or Dick, combined with the patronymic suffix -son, meaning "son of Dick."

What does the Dickenson map show?

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