NameCensus.

UK surname

Dike

A dike or dam constructed to control water flow or prevent flooding.

In the 1881 census there were 186 people recorded with the Dike surname, ranking it #13,448 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 317, ranked #14,198, down from #13,448 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Milborne Port, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Stalbridge. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Cotswold and South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dike is 327 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 70.4%.

1881 census count

186

Ranked #13,448

Modern count

317

2016, ranked #14,198

Peak year

2011

327 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dike had 186 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,448 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 317 in 2016, ranked #14,198.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 260 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Dike surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dike surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dike 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 260 #8,512
1861 historical 246 #10,010
1881 historical 186 #13,448
1891 historical 188 #15,609
1901 historical 142 #18,633
1911 historical 168 #16,620
1997 modern 186 #18,448
1998 modern 194 #18,451
1999 modern 209 #17,771
2000 modern 204 #17,987
2001 modern 202 #17,834
2002 modern 228 #16,828
2003 modern 241 #16,013
2004 modern 236 #16,335
2005 modern 246 #15,802
2006 modern 269 #14,952
2007 modern 276 #14,855
2008 modern 290 #14,466
2009 modern 301 #14,386
2010 modern 316 #14,198
2011 modern 327 #13,754
2012 modern 313 #14,095
2013 modern 318 #14,160
2014 modern 304 #14,703
2015 modern 314 #14,275
2016 modern 317 #14,198

Geography

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Where Dikes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Milborne Port, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Stalbridge, Margate and St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Cotswold, South Somerset and County Durham. 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 Milborne Port Somerset
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Stalbridge Dorset
4 Margate Kent
5 St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace London (West Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 004 North Dorset
2 Cotswold 006 Cotswold
3 South Somerset 009 South Somerset
4 Cotswold 008 Cotswold
5 County Durham 011 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dike

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dike

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dike, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Dike surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Dike 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Dike is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Dike 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

Dike falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dike

The surname Dike has its origins in the Netherlands, where it first appeared in the 15th century. It is derived from the Dutch word "dijk," which means "dike" or "embankment." The name likely referred to someone who lived near a dike or worked as a dike builder or maintainer.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dike can be found in the Leiden Records of 1490, which mention a Willem Dike. The name was also present in the Dutch province of Friesland, where it was spelled as "Dijke" or "Dyke."

In the 16th century, the Dike surname began to spread to other parts of Europe and the Americas. In England, the name was anglicized to "Dyke" and can be found in the parish records of Gloucestershire and Somerset from the late 1500s.

A notable early bearer of the name was Sir Percyvall Dyke (1579-1662), an English military officer who served in the English Civil War and was knighted by King Charles I in 1641.

In the 17th century, the name made its way to the American colonies, where it was sometimes spelled "Dijk" or "Deijke" by Dutch settlers. One of the earliest recorded instances in America is that of Nicasius Dike, who arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1642.

Another notable figure with the surname Dike was Reverend Samuel Dike (1614-1668), an English Puritan minister who emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638 and became a prominent figure in the colonial government.

In the 19th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Thomas Dike (1833-1891), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music.

Additionally, Wilbur Dike (1859-1935) was an American politician and businessman who served as the mayor of Akron, Ohio, and played a significant role in the city's industrial development.

Overall, the surname Dike has a rich history that can be traced back to the Netherlands, with various spellings and notable bearers emerging across Europe and North America over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dike families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dike 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. Gloucestershire leads with 38 Dikes recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.68x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 38 10.68x
Dorset 28 23.52x
Middlesex 23 1.27x
Somerset 21 7.19x
Kent 20 3.23x
Surrey 14 1.58x
Lancashire 12 0.56x
Berkshire 10 7.34x
Glamorgan 7 2.22x
Radnorshire 5 34.15x
Sussex 2 0.65x
Wiltshire 2 1.25x
Devon 1 0.26x
Hampshire 1 0.27x
Staffordshire 1 0.16x
Worcestershire 1 0.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stalbridge in Dorset leads with 24 Dikes recorded in 1881 and an index of 2123.89x.

Place Total Index
Stalbridge 24 2123.89x
Cirencester 19 394.19x
Bristol St Augustine 11 191.64x
Milborne Port 9 769.23x
Ashbury 8 1904.76x
Lambeth 8 5.06x
Liverpool 8 6.12x
Ramsgate 8 79.21x
Gelligaer 7 97.09x
Margate St John Baptist 7 61.78x
St George Hanover Square 7 21.90x
Aberedw 5 3125.00x
Bathwick 5 154.80x
Battersea 5 7.49x
St Pancras London 5 3.42x
Cheltenham 4 14.57x
Paddington London 4 6.00x
Sherborne 4 113.96x
Charlton Horethorne 3 1000.00x
Pendlebury 3 65.93x
Wincanton 3 200.00x
Clifton 2 11.12x
Hove 2 14.90x
Kensington London 2 1.98x
Queenborough 2 327.87x
Abbas Combe 1 454.55x
Baverstock 1 1250.00x
Beckenham 1 12.36x
Bristol St Michael 1 32.79x
Chatham 1 5.87x
Coleshill 1 526.32x
Devizes St Mary 1 61.73x
Hackney London 1 0.98x
Hampstead London 1 3.54x
Hornsey 1 4.36x
Islington London 1 0.57x
Kings Norton 1 4.71x
Moreton Hampstead 1 102.04x
Newington 1 1.49x
North Meols 1 4.75x
Pelsall 1 54.95x
Reading St Mary 1 9.17x
Southampton St Mary 1 4.28x
Tetbury 1 49.51x
Walmer 1 37.17x
Westminster St John 1 4.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 10
Mary 8
Eliza 7
Sarah 7
Ann 6
Harriet 5
Fanny 4
Alice 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Annie 2
Charlotte 2
Jane 2
Lillie 2
Rosa 2
Susan 2
A. 1
Ada 1
Agness 1
Anne 1
Annequiena 1
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Claribel 1
Dorothy 1
Elizth. 1
Emeline 1
Emima 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Georgina 1
Harriett 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
Rhoda 1
Sophia 1
Sophie 1
Theresa 1
Unity 1
Zilla 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 12
James 9
George 7
Thomas 6
Henry 5
Alfred 4
Frederick 4
John 4
Albert 3
Charles 3
Joseph 3
David 2
Edward 2
Eppo 2
Joshua 2
Raymond 2
Allan 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Bingham 1
Edmund 1
Enoch 1
Frank 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
Mark 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Dike surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dike surname in 1881?

In 1881, 186 people were recorded with the Dike surname. That placed it at #13,448 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dike surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 317 in 2016. That gives Dike a modern rank of #14,198.

What does the Dike surname mean?

A dike or dam constructed to control water flow or prevent flooding.

What does the Dike map show?

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