NameCensus.

UK surname

Dingwall

A Scottish surname derived from a place name referring to a fortified hill or fort.

In the 1881 census there were 1,191 people recorded with the Dingwall surname, ranking it #3,384 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,601, ranked #3,883, down from #3,384 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Inverness and Bona, Edinburgh and Scoonie. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Inverness West Rural, Forres South West and Mannachie and Upper Nithsdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dingwall is 1,627 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.4%.

1881 census count

1,191

Ranked #3,384

Modern count

1,601

2016, ranked #3,883

Peak year

2010

1,627 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dingwall had 1,191 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,384 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,601 in 2016, ranked #3,883.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,447 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Dingwall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dingwall surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dingwall 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 831 #3,258
1861 historical 802 #3,425
1881 historical 1,191 #3,384
1891 historical 1,336 #3,261
1901 historical 1,447 #3,519
1911 historical 302 #11,394
1997 modern 1,525 #3,858
1998 modern 1,567 #3,897
1999 modern 1,563 #3,940
2000 modern 1,538 #3,978
2001 modern 1,524 #3,932
2002 modern 1,547 #3,972
2003 modern 1,547 #3,889
2004 modern 1,538 #3,908
2005 modern 1,526 #3,892
2006 modern 1,516 #3,931
2007 modern 1,555 #3,853
2008 modern 1,564 #3,874
2009 modern 1,617 #3,846
2010 modern 1,627 #3,905
2011 modern 1,614 #3,890
2012 modern 1,573 #3,910
2013 modern 1,605 #3,903
2014 modern 1,614 #3,913
2015 modern 1,603 #3,898
2016 modern 1,601 #3,883

Geography

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Where Dingwalls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Inverness and Bona, Edinburgh, Scoonie, Fodderty and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Inverness West Rural, Forres South West and Mannachie, Upper Nithsdale, Sutherland South and Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Inverness and Bona Inverness
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Scoonie Fife
4 Fodderty Ross And Cromarty
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Inverness West Rural Highland
2 Forres South West and Mannachie Moray
3 Upper Nithsdale Dumfries and Galloway
4 Sutherland South Highland
5 Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava Moray

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dingwall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dingwall

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Dingwall surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Dingwall household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Dingwall is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dingwall is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dingwall 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 Dingwall is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Dingwall, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dingwall

The surname Dingwall has its origins in Scotland, specifically in the town of Dingwall located in the Scottish Highlands. This name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, perhaps as early as the 12th century.

The name Dingwall is derived from the Gaelic words "dingbhail," which means "fort" or "fortified place." This suggests that the name likely originated from a person or family who lived near or were associated with a fortified settlement or stronghold in the area.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Dingwall can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, which date back to the 13th century. These rolls contained records of financial transactions and taxes paid to the Crown, providing valuable insight into the names and locations of individuals during that time period.

In the 14th century, the name Dingwall appeared in various Scottish charters and legal documents, further solidifying its presence in the region. One notable individual bearing this surname was Sir John Dingwall, a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce in the Wars of Scottish Independence during the early 14th century.

The town of Dingwall itself has a rich history dating back to the 12th century when it was established as a royal burgh by King David I of Scotland. Over time, the town's name evolved from its older spelling, "Dingwallis," to the modern form of Dingwall.

Among the prominent individuals with the surname Dingwall throughout history are:

1. William Dingwall (c. 1580 - 1660), a Scottish clergyman and principal of St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews. 2. John Dingwall (1673 - 1735), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer who served as the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at the University of Oxford. 3. Anne Dingwall (1730 - 1815), a Scottish writer and poet whose works explored themes of nature and Scottish identity. 4. James Dingwall (1854 - 1932), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Australian Senate. 5. Robert Dingwall (born 1943), a British sociologist and professor known for his research on health policy and professional occupations.

While the surname Dingwall has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by Scottish emigrants and their descendants. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval Scottish town of the same name, a testament to the enduring legacy of this historical surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dingwall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dingwall 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. Ross-shire leads with 172 Dingwalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.09x.

County Total Index
Ross-shire 172 54.09x
Fife 159 23.20x
Aberdeenshire 111 10.35x
Midlothian 107 6.90x
Lanarkshire 95 2.54x
Perthshire 91 17.51x
Inverness-shire 81 23.42x
Lancashire 38 0.28x
Angus 36 3.36x
Middlesex 35 0.30x
Morayshire 31 17.23x
Surrey 29 0.51x
Banffshire 27 11.24x
Durham 16 0.46x
Sutherland 16 17.97x
East Lothian 15 9.78x
Renfrewshire 15 1.67x
Northumberland 14 0.81x
Dunbartonshire 13 4.18x
Nairnshire 13 36.79x
Ayrshire 12 1.38x
Yorkshire 9 0.08x
Cheshire 8 0.31x
Caithness 6 3.78x
Devon 6 0.25x
Kinross-shire 6 20.50x
Argyllshire 5 1.55x
Berwickshire 4 2.85x
Roxburghshire 4 1.91x
Stirlingshire 3 0.70x
Clackmannanshire 2 2.09x
Kent 2 0.05x
Hampshire 1 0.04x
Kincardineshire 1 0.71x
Norfolk 1 0.06x
Royal Navy 1 0.72x
Shetland 1 0.85x
West Lothian 1 0.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fodderty in Ross-shire leads with 56 Dingwalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 696.52x.

Place Total Index
Fodderty 56 696.52x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 41 6.57x
Barony 39 4.12x
Dysart 39 84.49x
Inverness 33 37.94x
Glasgow 27 4.06x
Scoonie 26 175.20x
South Leith 21 12.03x
Kiltearn 18 384.62x
Aberdeen Old Machar 17 7.59x
Ardoch 16 366.13x
Dundee 16 4.00x
Liff Benvie 16 9.83x
Urquhart 16 370.37x
Gairloch 15 81.83x
Old Monkland 15 10.09x
Logie Wester 14 245.18x
Cupar 13 43.61x
Dingwall 13 145.25x
Haddington 13 57.42x
West Derby 13 3.23x
Auldearn 12 232.56x
Coull 12 380.95x
Largo 12 134.83x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 11 5.48x
Ceres 11 133.50x
Lambeth 11 1.09x
Forres 10 52.88x
Gartly 10 283.29x
Row 10 24.84x
Edinburgh Old Church 9 72.29x
Forgandenny 9 361.45x
Fulham London 9 5.36x
Gateshead 9 3.49x
Alness 8 194.65x
Edderton 8 254.78x
Port Glasgow 8 18.44x
Snizort 8 92.81x
Tranmere 8 8.52x
Dunblane 7 56.27x
Kilmonivaig 7 91.15x
Kincardine O Neil 7 91.38x
King Edward 7 56.63x
Kingussie Insh 7 88.27x
Lasswade 7 19.74x
Perth East Church 7 14.29x
Streatham 7 8.15x
Trumisgarry 7 200.57x
Tynemouth 7 7.59x
Urray 7 70.92x
West Calder 7 22.90x
Abernethy 6 88.37x
Arngask 6 276.50x
Clapham 6 4.15x
Dunfermline 6 5.69x
Errol 6 62.31x
Everton 6 1.37x
Inverkeithny 6 163.93x
Kinnoull 6 43.92x
Kintore 6 64.38x
Markinch 6 25.78x
Pendleton In Salford 6 3.67x
Portmoak 6 144.23x
Rattray 6 49.59x
Tarbat 6 79.89x
Banff 5 23.97x
Burntisland 5 26.10x
Creich 5 56.37x
Drainie 5 31.37x
Duirinish 5 28.36x
Durness 5 127.88x
Dyke 5 101.42x
Elgin 5 14.29x
Halkirk 5 46.60x
Kinghorn 5 34.36x
Liberton 5 20.89x
Methven 5 65.62x
Peterhead 5 8.82x
Turriff 5 28.89x
Wallsend 5 9.15x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 9
Alexander 8
James 8
George 7
Charles 3
David 3
Albert 2
Andrew 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Thomas 2
Abraham 1
Alfred 1
Alister 1
Archibald 1
C.H. 1
Colin 1
Donald 1
Edward 1
Elmet 1
Eric 1
Frank 1
Fredk.W. 1
Henry 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Lewis 1
Napoleon 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Robt.S. 1
Roderic 1
Saml.Birkby 1
Walter 1
Watson 1
Wm.Alex. 1

FAQ

Dingwall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dingwall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,191 people were recorded with the Dingwall surname. That placed it at #3,384 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dingwall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,601 in 2016. That gives Dingwall a modern rank of #3,883.

What does the Dingwall surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a place name referring to a fortified hill or fort.

What does the Dingwall map show?

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