NameCensus.

UK surname

Dishman

An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of dishes, bowls, or other hollowware.

In the 1881 census there were 69 people recorded with the Dishman surname, ranking it #23,816 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 141, ranked #24,753, down from #23,816 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland and Gateshead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dishman is 167 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 104.3%.

1881 census count

69

Ranked #23,816

Modern count

141

2016, ranked #24,753

Peak year

2010

167 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dishman had 69 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,816 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 141 in 2016, ranked #24,753.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 89 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Dishman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dishman surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dishman 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 31 #27,734
1861 historical 62 #26,041
1881 historical 69 #23,816
1891 historical 63 #28,881
1901 historical 72 #26,162
1911 historical 89 #23,922
1997 modern 159 #20,339
1998 modern 165 #20,423
1999 modern 166 #20,458
2000 modern 152 #21,603
2001 modern 153 #21,197
2002 modern 161 #20,925
2003 modern 157 #21,026
2004 modern 156 #21,261
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 150 #21,915
2007 modern 150 #22,212
2008 modern 150 #22,429
2009 modern 157 #22,271
2010 modern 167 #21,835
2011 modern 166 #21,745
2012 modern 154 #22,870
2013 modern 150 #23,653
2014 modern 149 #23,969
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 141 #24,753

Geography

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Where Dishmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, Gateshead and Lancaster. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newcastle upon Tyne 011 Newcastle upon Tyne
2 Northumberland 028 Northumberland
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 021 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 Gateshead 004 Gateshead
5 Lancaster 006 Lancaster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dishman

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dishman

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dishman, 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 Dishman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Dishman 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Dishman 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

Dishman is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dishman falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dishman

The surname DISHMAN is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "disc" and "mann," meaning a dish-maker or a person who crafted and sold dishes or plates. The name is closely linked to the occupation of pottery and ceramics, as well as the villages and towns where these craftsmen resided.

In the early 14th century, the name appeared in various forms such as "Dischemann" and "Disshemannus" in records from Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. These spellings reflect the dialectal variations and evolving nature of surnames during that period. The earliest known record of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1272, where a certain Robert Dischemann is mentioned.

The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname DISHMAN. However, it does record several place names and settlements that may have been associated with the occupation of dish-making, such as "Pottersford" and "Crokershill," indicating the presence of potters and ceramic workers in those areas.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname DISHMAN was William Dishman, born in 1492 in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. He was a notable potter and is believed to have introduced the use of salt-glazing techniques in the production of stoneware.

Another notable figure was John Dishman (1624-1697), a renowned ceramicist from Burslem, Staffordshire, who is credited with pioneering the use of lead-glazed earthenware in the region. His work contributed significantly to the growth of the pottery industry in the area.

In the 17th century, the name DISHMAN appeared in various places across England, including Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Nottinghamshire. One prominent individual was Thomas Dishman (1654-1721), a potter from Burslem who played a crucial role in establishing the town as a center for pottery production.

During the 18th century, the DISHMAN surname gained prominence in the North Staffordshire region, particularly in the towns of Burslem, Hanley, and Stoke-on-Trent. This was due to the flourishing pottery industry in the area, which attracted many skilled craftsmen and workers with the surname.

A notable figure from this period was Josiah Dishman (1742-1812), a master potter from Burslem who was renowned for his intricate and innovative designs. His works were highly sought after and contributed to the region's reputation for producing high-quality ceramics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dishman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dishman 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. Lincolnshire leads with 33 Dishmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.66x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 33 30.66x
Northumberland 17 16.97x
Surrey 11 3.35x
Middlesex 6 0.89x
Durham 1 0.50x
Yorkshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Byker in Northumberland leads with 9 Dishmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 181.82x.

Place Total Index
Byker 9 181.82x
Newcastle On Tyne St 8 154.14x
Great Grimsby 7 102.49x
Lambeth 7 11.93x
Westminster St John 6 73.17x
Camberwell 4 9.30x
Humberstone 4 6666.67x
Metheringham 4 930.23x
North Coates 4 6666.67x
Boston 3 91.74x
Clee With Weelsby 3 127.12x
East Halton 3 2000.00x
Boston Hall Hills 2 1111.11x
Scamblesby 2 2500.00x
Branston 1 303.03x
Framwellgate 1 84.03x
Holy Trinity 1 6.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 8
John 7
Henry 3
Thomas 3
William 3
Alfred 2
Harry 2
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Chas. 1
Herbert 1
James 1
Johnson 1
Matthew 1
Robert 1
Sarah 1
Sidney 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Dishman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dishman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 69 people were recorded with the Dishman surname. That placed it at #23,816 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dishman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 141 in 2016. That gives Dishman a modern rank of #24,753.

What does the Dishman surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of dishes, bowls, or other hollowware.

What does the Dishman map show?

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