NameCensus.

UK surname

Dines

An English surname derived from the given name Dennis or Dennis.

In the 1881 census there were 802 people recorded with the Dines surname, ranking it #4,642 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,253, ranked #4,772, down from #4,642 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a and Bentley, Great. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tendring, Kettering and Chichester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dines is 1,354 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.2%.

1881 census count

802

Ranked #4,642

Modern count

1,253

2016, ranked #4,772

Peak year

1998

1,354 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dines had 802 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,642 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,253 in 2016, ranked #4,772.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,307 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dines surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dines surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dines 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 555 #4,565
1861 historical 554 #4,755
1881 historical 802 #4,642
1891 historical 863 #4,754
1901 historical 1,133 #4,282
1911 historical 1,307 #3,648
1997 modern 1,291 #4,417
1998 modern 1,354 #4,396
1999 modern 1,338 #4,475
2000 modern 1,312 #4,534
2001 modern 1,267 #4,588
2002 modern 1,293 #4,601
2003 modern 1,264 #4,597
2004 modern 1,280 #4,548
2005 modern 1,253 #4,593
2006 modern 1,238 #4,648
2007 modern 1,240 #4,692
2008 modern 1,239 #4,724
2009 modern 1,291 #4,635
2010 modern 1,334 #4,589
2011 modern 1,318 #4,581
2012 modern 1,272 #4,663
2013 modern 1,302 #4,647
2014 modern 1,305 #4,663
2015 modern 1,267 #4,746
2016 modern 1,253 #4,772

Geography

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Where Dines' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a, Bentley, Great, Thurrock, Grays and Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tendring, Kettering, Chichester, Colchester and Thurrock. 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 Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a Essex
3 Bentley, Great Essex
4 Thurrock, Grays Essex
5 Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tendring 011 Tendring
2 Kettering 002 Kettering
3 Chichester 014 Chichester
4 Colchester 022 Colchester
5 Thurrock 012 Thurrock

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dines

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dines

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Dines is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Dines 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

Dines falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dines

The surname DINES has its origins in England, dating back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Dyne" or "Dun," which means "brown" or "dark-complexioned." The name likely originated as a nickname for someone with a dark or swarthy complexion.

In the early records, the name appeared with various spellings, such as Dine, Dyne, and Dunes. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Alanus Dine, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195.

The DINES surname can also be traced back to various place names in England, including Dines in Worcestershire and Dines Farm in Hertfordshire. These place names may have contributed to the development of the surname.

One notable individual with the surname DINES was John Dines (c. 1570-1652), an English clergyman who served as the Dean of Lichfield from 1627 until his death. Another was Samuel Dines (1659-1743), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of comets and planetary motion.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in the records of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Pennsylvania, United States. One example is Joseph Dines (1718-1790), a Quaker minister from Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Moving into the 19th century, we find William Dines (1807-1858), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Dramatic College.

Another notable figure was Sir Joseph Dines (1855-1935), a British civil engineer who played a crucial role in the development of London's underground railway system and was knighted for his contributions.

Throughout history, the DINES surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergy, scientists, architects, and engineers. While it may not be one of the most common surnames, it has left its mark on the historical records of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dines families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dines 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. Essex leads with 287 Dines' recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.65x.

County Total Index
Essex 287 18.65x
Middlesex 143 1.83x
Kent 91 3.42x
Surrey 55 1.45x
Northamptonshire 43 5.87x
Bedfordshire 33 8.18x
Suffolk 21 2.21x
Lincolnshire 15 1.20x
Berkshire 13 2.22x
Norfolk 13 1.08x
Hampshire 12 0.75x
Huntingdonshire 11 7.11x
Cheshire 10 0.58x
Hertfordshire 9 1.68x
Cambridgeshire 7 1.42x
Oxfordshire 7 1.45x
Lanarkshire 6 0.24x
Glamorgan 4 0.29x
Ayrshire 2 0.34x
Derbyshire 2 0.16x
Staffordshire 2 0.08x
Sussex 2 0.15x
Yorkshire 2 0.03x
Cornwall 1 0.11x
Dorset 1 0.20x
Flintshire 1 0.48x
Gloucestershire 1 0.07x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.56x
Northumberland 1 0.09x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.10x
Renfrewshire 1 0.17x
Royal Navy 1 1.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rothwell in Northamptonshire leads with 28 Dines' recorded in 1881 and an index of 380.43x.

Place Total Index
Rothwell 28 380.43x
Writtle 26 413.35x
Grays Thurrock 21 146.85x
St Marylebone London 20 4.81x
Hammersmith London 19 9.90x
Colchester St Giles 18 118.42x
Great Bentley 17 696.72x
West Ham 17 5.00x
Dedham 16 342.61x
Mile End Old Town London 16 9.65x
St Pancras London 16 2.55x
Bethnal Green London 15 4.43x
Clee With Weelsby 14 51.32x
Lambeth 14 2.06x
Feering 13 640.39x
Harlington 13 909.09x
Langford 13 391.57x
Colchester St Botolph 12 91.67x
Dengie 12 1395.35x
Eastchurch 11 419.85x
Maldon All Sts 11 360.66x
Southminster 11 326.41x
St Lawrence 10 54.70x
Eaton In Macclesfield 9 833.33x
Ipswich St Margaret 9 27.94x
Shoreditch London 9 2.66x
Thatcham 9 99.89x
Widford 9 1125.00x
Acton 8 17.51x
Ramsgate 8 18.43x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 7 19.46x
Willesborough 7 97.90x
Ashford 6 23.17x
Bocking 6 64.86x
Camberwell 6 1.21x
Clapham 6 6.16x
Epsom 6 32.41x
Ingrave 6 428.57x
Itchingswell 6 504.20x
Kensington London 6 1.38x
Mile End 6 213.52x
New Monkland 6 8.05x
South Lynn 6 44.38x
Thorpe Malsor 6 1621.62x
Willingham 6 142.18x
Barnes 5 31.13x
Black Notley 5 280.90x
Boughton Malherbe 5 420.17x
Brightlingsea 5 56.88x
Frating 5 746.27x
Ipswich St Helen 5 44.44x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 5 56.75x
Patrixbourne 5 769.23x
Rickmansworth 5 33.81x
Tolleshunt Major 5 462.96x
Bromley London 4 2.33x
Broomfield 4 930.23x
Cardiff St John 4 9.02x
Downham 4 606.06x
Greenstead 4 178.57x
Heybridge 4 89.49x
Houghton 4 294.12x
Islington London 4 0.53x
Kimbolton 4 122.70x
Kingsclere 4 54.79x
Lexden 4 64.72x
Limehouse London 4 4.68x
Norton 4 851.06x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 4 70.05x
St George Hanover Square 4 2.91x
West Hanningfield 4 347.83x
Cransley 3 344.83x
Harbledown 3 156.25x
Houghton Conquest 3 180.72x
Leysdown 3 566.04x
Maldon St Peter 3 38.27x
Marks Tey 3 272.73x
Oxford St Giles 3 13.07x
Tillingham 3 110.70x
Woolwich 3 3.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 45
Elizabeth 28
Sarah 25
Emily 15
Alice 14
Ann 13
Ellen 13
Hannah 13
Eliza 12
Annie 11
Harriet 10
Jane 9
Emma 7
Kate 7
Martha 7
Rose 7
Catherine 6
Ada 5
Clara 5
Edith 5
Fanny 5
Frances 5
Laura 5
Amy 4
Caroline 4
Rebecca 4
Flora 3
Harriett 3
Lucy 3
Margaret 3
Maria 3
Minnie 3
Rosina 3
Selina 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Beatrice 2
Charlotte 2
Dorcas 2
Florence 2
Jemima 2
Julia 2
Lily 2
Louisa 2
Phillis 2
Chare. 1
Emelia 1
Esther 1
Jessie 1
Josephine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 57
John 40
George 30
James 29
Joseph 24
Henry 23
Edward 22
Charles 16
Frederick 12
Thomas 12
Arthur 11
Albert 10
Alfred 10
Harry 10
Richard 8
Ernest 6
Frank 5
Samuel 5
Walter 5
Daniel 4
David 4
Geo. 4
Herbert 4
Robert 4
Wm. 3
Fred 2
Jacob 2
Willie 2
Bertie 1
Chas. 1
Clarence 1
Claydon 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Elezazer 1
Elisha 1
Esau 1
Francis 1
Fredk.G. 1
Fredrick 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Infant 1
Jethro 1
Joiner 1
Jonah 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Maurice 1
Mendel 1

FAQ

Dines surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dines surname in 1881?

In 1881, 802 people were recorded with the Dines surname. That placed it at #4,642 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dines surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,253 in 2016. That gives Dines a modern rank of #4,772.

What does the Dines surname mean?

An English surname derived from the given name Dennis or Dennis.

What does the Dines map show?

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