UK surname
A nickname for someone who worked making dishes or pottery.
In the 1881 census there were 85 people recorded with the Disher surname, ranking it #21,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 55, ranked #34,627, down from #21,573 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Edinburgh and Eynesbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Disher is 130 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 35.3%.
1881 census count
85
Ranked #21,573
Modern count
55
2016, ranked #34,627
Peak year
1891
130 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Disher surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Disher surname density by area, 1891 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 | 107 | #16,402 |
| 1861 | historical | 128 | #17,375 |
| 1881 | historical | 85 | #21,573 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 90 | #24,021 |
| 1911 | historical | 61 | #26,724 |
| 1997 | modern | 57 | #31,917 |
| 1998 | modern | 57 | #32,226 |
| 1999 | modern | 53 | #32,746 |
| 2000 | modern | 54 | #32,710 |
| 2001 | modern | 50 | #32,957 |
| 2002 | modern | 53 | #33,021 |
| 2003 | modern | 55 | #32,895 |
| 2004 | modern | 57 | #32,968 |
| 2005 | modern | 54 | #33,433 |
| 2006 | modern | 55 | #33,688 |
| 2007 | modern | 52 | #34,195 |
| 2008 | modern | 56 | #34,084 |
| 2009 | modern | 54 | #34,431 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 53 | #34,630 |
| 2012 | modern | 52 | #34,709 |
| 2013 | modern | 54 | #34,666 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 55 | #34,620 |
| 2016 | modern | 55 | #34,627 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Edinburgh, Eynesbury and St Albans or The Abbey. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Eynesbury | Huntingdonshire |
| 5 | St Albans or The Abbey | Hertfordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Disher 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 Disher, 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 Disher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Disher 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, Disher 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 Disher is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Disher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Disher originated in England, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be an occupational name, derived from the Old English word "disc" or "discu," which referred to a dish, plate, or bowl. This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who made or sold dishes, or perhaps even a server of dishes.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where a Richard le Disshare is mentioned. The spelling variations during this period included Dissher, Discher, and Disshare, among others.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, where a John Discher is listed. This suggests that the name had spread to different parts of England by that time.
The Disher surname can also be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a manuscript recording the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales conducted by William the Conqueror. This provides evidence of the name's ancient origins.
Notable individuals with the surname Disher throughout history include:
1. Sir William Disher (1580-1647), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Taunton during the reign of King Charles I. 2. John Disher (1735-1812), a British explorer and navigator who accompanied Captain James Cook on his second and third voyages to the Pacific Ocean. 3. Elizabeth Disher (1876-1952), a renowned American educator and advocate for women's rights, known for her work in establishing educational opportunities for women in the early 20th century. 4. Robert Disher (1914-1998), a British architect and urban planner, best known for his contributions to the reconstruction of London after World War II. 5. Margery Disher (1902-1985), an Australian writer and novelist, renowned for her works depicting life in rural Australia, including the acclaimed novel "The Cousin's Wife."
While the name Disher can be traced back to various place names and locations across England, it is primarily associated with the counties of Worcestershire, Yorkshire, and Somerset, where the earliest records of the surname can be found.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Disher 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. Middlesex leads with 22 Dishers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 22 | 2.69x |
| Huntingdonshire | 9 | 55.35x |
| Fife | 8 | 16.50x |
| Renfrewshire | 7 | 11.03x |
| Ross-shire | 7 | 31.12x |
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 2.26x |
| Angus | 5 | 6.59x |
| Hertfordshire | 5 | 8.86x |
| Midlothian | 5 | 4.56x |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 5.19x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.41x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 1.98x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 3.31x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.25x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.72x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.93x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 7 Dishers recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.82x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 7 | 8.82x |
| Stornoway | 7 | 238.91x |
| Hammersmith London | 6 | 29.73x |
| Renfrew | 6 | 285.71x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 5 | 11.33x |
| Eynesbury | 5 | 1315.79x |
| Liff Benvie | 5 | 43.40x |
| Scoonie | 5 | 476.19x |
| Northampton Priory St | 4 | 86.58x |
| St Albans | 3 | 258.62x |
| St Neots | 3 | 340.91x |
| Wemyss | 3 | 146.34x |
| Barony | 2 | 2.98x |
| Bromley London | 2 | 11.10x |
| Govan | 2 | 3.05x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.39x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 5.63x |
| St Albans St Peter | 2 | 104.71x |
| St Clement Danes London | 2 | 117.65x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 4.78x |
| Claines | 1 | 34.01x |
| East Kilbride | 1 | 88.50x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 2.13x |
| Hove | 1 | 16.50x |
| Neilston | 1 | 31.35x |
| Newington | 1 | 3.30x |
| Oxford St Giles | 1 | 41.49x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.32x |
| St Ives | 1 | 119.05x |
| Strathblane | 1 | 263.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Disher 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 Disher 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 Disher households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| Baker & Confr | 1 |
| Brewer | 1 |
| Coffee House Keeper | 1 |
| Commercial Clerk Wharf | 1 |
| Coppersmith | 1 |
| Drapers Asst | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Genl.Servant | 1 |
| Gloveress | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid (Domestic Serv) | 1 |
| Ironmongers Shopman | 1 |
| Laborer At Iron Works | 1 |
| Land Owner | 1 |
| Market Gardener (N D) | 1 |
| Master Mariner | 1 |
| None (Out Of Employ) | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Shoemaker Wife | 1 |
| Small Dairy (Milkseller) | 1 |
| Straw Plait Worker | 1 |
| Tailor Wife | 1 |
| Watchman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 85 people were recorded with the Disher surname. That placed it at #21,573 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 55 in 2016. That gives Disher a modern rank of #34,627.
A nickname for someone who worked making dishes or pottery.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Disher 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.