NameCensus.

UK surname

Digman

An occupational surname referring to someone who digs or worked as a digger.

In the 1881 census there were 125 people recorded with the Digman surname, ranking it #17,335 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 104, ranked #30,317, down from #17,335 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Blakeney and Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cardenden, East Cambridgeshire and Wealden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Digman is 187 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 16.8%.

1881 census count

125

Ranked #17,335

Modern count

104

2016, ranked #30,317

Peak year

1891

187 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Digman had 125 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,335 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016, ranked #30,317.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 187 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Digman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Digman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Digman 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 63 #22,069
1861 historical 103 #20,650
1881 historical 125 #17,335
1891 historical 187 #15,679
1901 historical 180 #16,171
1911 historical 161 #17,072
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 123 #24,449
1999 modern 115 #25,620
2000 modern 116 #25,452
2001 modern 111 #25,767
2002 modern 108 #26,698
2003 modern 98 #28,046
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 108 #26,736
2006 modern 108 #27,015
2007 modern 112 #26,800
2008 modern 105 #28,180
2009 modern 115 #27,207
2010 modern 121 #27,005
2011 modern 115 #27,634
2012 modern 109 #28,689
2013 modern 114 #28,347
2014 modern 114 #28,608
2015 modern 107 #29,708
2016 modern 104 #30,317

Geography

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Where Digmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Blakeney, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon), Manchester and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cardenden, East Cambridgeshire, Wealden, Rother and Canterbury. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Blakeney Norfolk
3 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cardenden Fife
2 East Cambridgeshire 006 East Cambridgeshire
3 Wealden 005 Wealden
4 Rother 001 Rother
5 Canterbury 005 Canterbury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Digman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Digman

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Digman is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Digman is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Digman

The surname Digman originates from England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have evolved from the Old English word "digga," which meant "to dig" or "to excavate." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with occupations related to digging, such as miners, grave diggers, or ditch diggers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Digman can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where it appears as "Diggeman." This historical record provides evidence of the name's existence and potential occupation-related origins during the 14th century.

The name Digman also has connections to several place names in England. For example, there is a village called Digman's Croft in Nottinghamshire, which likely derived its name from an early bearer of the Digman surname. Additionally, the name may have been influenced by the Old English word "dic," meaning a ditch or a trench, further strengthening its association with digging and excavation.

Among the notable individuals who bore the Digman surname throughout history, one can mention John Digman (1647-1720), a prominent English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Worcester and published several theological works. Another figure was William Digman (1765-1842), a British soldier who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and received commendations for his bravery during the Battle of Waterloo.

In the late 16th century, records indicate the presence of a Thomas Digman (c. 1570-1635), a merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire, who was involved in various business ventures and acquired substantial property holdings during his lifetime.

In the literary world, the name Digman is associated with Mary Digman (1822-1898), an English novelist and poet who wrote several popular works of fiction during the Victorian era, including "The Lost Heir" and "The Forgotten Vow."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Digman surname in the United States can be traced back to John Digman (1745-1822), an English immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania in the late 18th century and worked as a farmer and landowner.

These examples illustrate the long history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have carried the Digman surname, spanning various professions, social classes, and geographical regions over several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Digman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Digman 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 38 Digmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.63x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 38 2.63x
Middlesex 14 1.15x
Lanarkshire 11 2.79x
Yorkshire 11 0.91x
Durham 10 2.76x
Surrey 10 1.68x
Angus 6 5.31x
Devon 6 2.36x
Cheshire 4 1.49x
Hampshire 4 1.60x
Worcestershire 4 2.51x
Norfolk 2 1.07x
East Lothian 1 6.19x
Leicestershire 1 0.74x
Midlothian 1 0.61x
Staffordshire 1 0.24x
Warwickshire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westoe in Durham leads with 9 Digmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.77x.

Place Total Index
Westoe 9 43.77x
Leeds 8 11.73x
Liverpool 7 7.97x
St George Hanover Square 7 32.59x
Dundee 6 14.23x
Old Monkland 6 38.34x
Malborough 5 495.05x
Manchester 5 7.69x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 20.38x
Barony 4 4.01x
Portsea 4 8.17x
Salford 4 9.40x
Shoreditch London 4 7.57x
Streatham 4 44.25x
Ashton Under Lyne 3 9.49x
Bradfield 3 64.38x
Bury 3 18.16x
Dudley 3 15.50x
Great Bolton 3 15.66x
Bromley London 2 7.46x
Dukinfield 2 16.08x
Everton 2 4.34x
Wardleworth 2 24.18x
West Derby 2 4.73x
Aston 1 1.18x
Bishopwearmouth 1 3.21x
Blakeney 1 294.12x
Blantyre 1 24.39x
Bow London 1 6.44x
Cheadle 1 19.46x
Cley Next Sea 1 333.33x
Cossington 1 588.24x
Dartmouth St Savior 1 333.33x
Dunbar 1 44.25x
Edinburgh New 1 78.74x
Gorton 1 7.35x
Haughton 1 47.39x
Hulme 1 3.31x
Lambeth 1 0.94x
Oldham 1 2.14x
Preston 1 2.58x
Shipston On Stour 1 138.89x
Stockport 1 7.22x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 2.29x
Widnes 1 9.59x
Worsley 1 11.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Ann 6
Elizabeth 6
Sarah 6
Catherine 3
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Bridget 2
Eliza 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Winifred 2
Chloe 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Ellen 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Johana 1
Maria 1
Marsella 1
Rose 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 9
William 8
John 5
Charles 3
George 3
Thomas 3
Edward 2
Francis 2
Joseph 2
Peter 2
Ambrose 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Bernard 1
Cornelias 1
Daniel 1
Henry 1
Isaac 1
Michael 1
Nicholas 1
Vincent 1

FAQ

Digman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Digman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 125 people were recorded with the Digman surname. That placed it at #17,335 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Digman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016. That gives Digman a modern rank of #30,317.

What does the Digman surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone who digs or worked as a digger.

What does the Digman map show?

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