UK surname
A locational surname derived from the Dutch word "dier," meaning deer or game animal.
In the 1881 census there were 70 people recorded with the Dier surname, ranking it #23,670 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 69, ranked #33,762, down from #23,670 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Mary, Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin and Rotherfield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dier is 111 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.4%.
1881 census count
70
Ranked #23,670
Modern count
69
2016, ranked #33,762
Peak year
1861
111 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dier surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dier surname density by area, 1861 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 | 110 | #16,093 |
| 1861 | historical | 111 | #19,429 |
| 1881 | historical | 70 | #23,670 |
| 1891 | historical | 93 | #24,965 |
| 1901 | historical | 93 | #23,689 |
| 1911 | historical | 83 | #24,531 |
| 1997 | modern | 64 | #31,233 |
| 1998 | modern | 67 | #31,282 |
| 1999 | modern | 72 | #30,955 |
| 2000 | modern | 66 | #31,553 |
| 2001 | modern | 68 | #31,195 |
| 2002 | modern | 71 | #31,351 |
| 2003 | modern | 69 | #31,587 |
| 2004 | modern | 62 | #32,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 60 | #32,917 |
| 2006 | modern | 64 | #32,839 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 62 | #33,565 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 54 | #34,563 |
| 2012 | modern | 65 | #33,964 |
| 2013 | modern | 66 | #34,003 |
| 2014 | modern | 66 | #34,025 |
| 2015 | modern | 69 | #33,788 |
| 2016 | modern | 69 | #33,762 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Mary, Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, Rotherfield, Brighton and St Woollos (incl. Newport). 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 Mary | Pembrokeshire |
| 2 | Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin | Devon |
| 3 | Rotherfield | Sussex |
| 4 | Brighton | Sussex |
| 5 | St Woollos (incl. Newport) | Monmouthshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dier 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 Dier, 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 Dier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dier 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, Dier 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 Dier is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dier, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname DIER originated in England during the medieval period. It derives from the Old English word "deor", meaning a wild animal or beast. In many cases, the name was likely used as an occupational surname for someone who worked as a hunter or deer catcher.
The earliest recorded examples of the surname DIER can be found in various historical records from the 13th century onwards. For instance, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a Henry le Deyere from Oxfordshire. In the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire from 1301, there is a reference to a William le Deyere.
During the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings such as Deyere, Deyare, and Diere. These variations were a result of the inconsistent spelling practices of the time, as well as regional dialects. The Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire from 1327 list a John le Deyere, while the Poll Tax Returns of 1379 for Yorkshire include a Thomas Deyere.
One of the earliest known bearers of the DIER surname was Richard Dier, who was born in Oxfordshire around 1410. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of the local gentry. Another notable figure was Sir Edward Dier, who lived during the reign of King Henry VIII and served as a member of the Privy Council.
In the 16th century, the surname DIER was also found in various place names, such as Dier's Green in Hertfordshire and Dier's Hill in Oxfordshire. These places likely derived their names from early settlers or landowners with the DIER surname.
Other notable individuals with the DIER surname include:
1. William Dier (1585-1647), an English Puritan minister and author. 2. Thomas Dier (1650-1717), a British Member of Parliament and landowner from Hertfordshire. 3. John Dier (1705-1787), an English mathematician and astronomer. 4. Samuel Dier (1760-1823), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. 5. Mary Dier (1795-1872), an English philanthropist and social reformer who founded several charitable organizations.
Over time, the surname DIER evolved into various spelling variations such as Deer, Deare, and Deere, likely influenced by the similar-sounding word for the animal. However, the original spelling of DIER remained prevalent, particularly in certain regions of England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dier 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. Sussex leads with 30 Diers recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.70x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex | 30 | 25.70x |
| Lancashire | 10 | 1.22x |
| Monmouthshire | 6 | 11.99x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.72x |
| Pembrokeshire | 5 | 22.73x |
| Cornwall | 4 | 5.10x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 4.42x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.85x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 3.43x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 4.87x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.69x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.90x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Bolton in Lancashire leads with 10 Diers recorded in 1881 and an index of 91.91x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Great Bolton | 10 | 91.91x |
| Fletching | 7 | 1346.15x |
| Brighton | 5 | 21.23x |
| Heathfield | 5 | 1063.83x |
| Mayfield | 5 | 724.64x |
| Pembroke St Mary | 5 | 176.68x |
| Rotherfield | 5 | 485.44x |
| St Woollos | 5 | 89.45x |
| Chelsea London | 4 | 19.18x |
| Tredington | 4 | 1600.00x |
| Bexhill | 3 | 517.24x |
| Egloskerry | 3 | 3000.00x |
| Speldhurst | 2 | 166.67x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 3.32x |
| Highbridge | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Llanelly | 1 | 15.22x |
| Newport | 1 | 41.84x |
| St Clement | 1 | 121.95x |
| St Peter Port | 1 | 26.32x |
| Wolborough | 1 | 54.95x |
| York St Cuthbert | 1 | 158.73x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dier 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 Dier 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 Dier households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Carpenter | 3 |
| Veterinary Surgeon | 3 |
| Ag Labourer | 2 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| Shopwoman Genl | 2 |
| ((Miners Wife)) | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Errand Girl | 1 |
| General Servant (Domestic) | 1 |
| Hous Carpenter | 1 |
| House Maid | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Iron Dresser | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourers Wife | 1 |
| Man On Board Pilot Cutter | 1 |
| Manager Grocer | 1 |
| Manganese Miner | 1 |
| Mantle Maker | 1 |
| Operative Cotton Picer | 1 |
| Spindle Heater S W | 1 |
| Stable Boy (D) | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Veterinerary Surgeon | 1 |
| Vetinary Surgeon | 1 |
| Vetinary Surgeon Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 70 people were recorded with the Dier surname. That placed it at #23,670 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 69 in 2016. That gives Dier a modern rank of #33,762.
A locational surname derived from the Dutch word "dier," meaning deer or game animal.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dier 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.