NameCensus.

UK surname

Dixey

An English surname derived from an Old English nickname for a dice player or gambler.

In the 1881 census there were 521 people recorded with the Dixey surname, ranking it #6,556 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 717, ranked #7,575, down from #6,556 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Pebmarsh and Bulmer. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Somerset, Braintree and Stafford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dixey is 752 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.6%.

1881 census count

521

Ranked #6,556

Modern count

717

2016, ranked #7,575

Peak year

2000

752 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dixey had 521 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,556 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 717 in 2016, ranked #7,575.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 701 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dixey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dixey surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dixey 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 361 #6,554
1861 historical 303 #8,365
1881 historical 521 #6,556
1891 historical 592 #6,456
1901 historical 651 #6,636
1911 historical 701 #6,076
1997 modern 688 #7,344
1998 modern 743 #7,157
1999 modern 733 #7,270
2000 modern 752 #7,089
2001 modern 728 #7,134
2002 modern 748 #7,126
2003 modern 745 #7,058
2004 modern 750 #7,015
2005 modern 732 #7,087
2006 modern 727 #7,154
2007 modern 721 #7,266
2008 modern 712 #7,380
2009 modern 734 #7,366
2010 modern 729 #7,541
2011 modern 723 #7,512
2012 modern 687 #7,704
2013 modern 698 #7,745
2014 modern 719 #7,619
2015 modern 716 #7,591
2016 modern 717 #7,575

Geography

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Where Dixeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Pebmarsh, Bulmer and Great and Little Maplestead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Somerset, Braintree and Stafford. 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 1
2 Pebmarsh Essex
3 Bulmer Suffolk
4 London parishes London 3
5 Great and Little Maplestead Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Somerset 004 North Somerset
2 Braintree 002 Braintree
3 Stafford 013 Stafford
4 Braintree 003 Braintree
5 Braintree 004 Braintree

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dixey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dixey

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Dixey 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

Dixey is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dixey falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dixey

The surname Dixey has its origins in England, dating back to the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "dix," which means a small drainage ditch or a hollow. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near or worked with such ditches or hollows.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dixey can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where it appears as "Dyxey." This reference indicates that the name was already in use during the late 13th century in the English county of Oxfordshire.

In the 15th century, records show a Richard Dixey was a resident of the village of Willesden, which was then part of Middlesex (now part of Greater London). This provides evidence of the name's presence in the area around London during the medieval period.

The Dixey name has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Dixie in Buckinghamshire and Dixie's Burn in Northumberland. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname over time.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Dixey throughout history include:

1. Sir Wolstan Dixey (c.1565-1638), a prominent English merchant and Lord Mayor of London in 1614. 2. John Dixey (1604-1689), an English clergyman and author who published works on theology and religious controversies. 3. James Dixey (1722-1802), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 18th century. 4. William Dixey (1803-1876), an English architect known for his work on several churches and public buildings in the Victorian era. 5. Mary Dixey (1837-1909), a British author and educator who wrote books on history and geography for children.

While the Dixey surname may have originated from humble beginnings related to ditches or hollows, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, clergy, military personnel, architects, and authors, throughout the centuries in England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dixey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dixey 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. Middlesex leads with 138 Dixeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.72x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 138 2.72x
Essex 123 12.26x
Oxfordshire 30 9.56x
Surrey 23 0.93x
Yorkshire 22 0.44x
Buckinghamshire 21 6.83x
Lincolnshire 20 2.46x
Suffolk 19 3.07x
Lancashire 18 0.30x
Northamptonshire 17 3.56x
Berkshire 11 2.88x
Leicestershire 11 1.95x
Nottinghamshire 11 1.61x
Gloucestershire 7 0.70x
Monmouthshire 7 1.91x
Sussex 7 0.82x
Glamorgan 6 0.68x
Cambridgeshire 5 1.55x
Worcestershire 5 0.75x
Hampshire 4 0.38x
Kent 4 0.23x
Norfolk 3 0.38x
Bedfordshire 2 0.76x
Derbyshire 2 0.25x
Durham 1 0.07x
Hertfordshire 1 0.29x
Lanarkshire 1 0.06x
Northumberland 1 0.13x
Staffordshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pebmarsh in Essex leads with 29 Dixeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3222.22x.

Place Total Index
Pebmarsh 29 3222.22x
Little Maplestead 20 4347.83x
Bampton 18 740.74x
Bulmer 17 1404.96x
Islington London 17 3.45x
Edmonton 14 34.19x
Aylesbury 13 95.52x
Hackney London 12 4.21x
Finchley 10 51.33x
Nottingham St Mary 10 5.64x
Peterborough 10 28.89x
Hornsey 9 14.00x
Leeds 8 2.81x
Liverpool 8 2.18x
Rayleigh 8 346.32x
St Pancras London 8 1.96x
Tottenham 8 9.88x
Caversfield 7 4375.00x
Fulham London 7 9.50x
Gainsborough 7 36.53x
Ipswich St Mary At Elms 7 355.33x
Knighton 7 220.13x
Mitcham 7 44.73x
Southcoates 7 25.04x
Springfield 7 159.09x
Bermondsey 6 3.97x
Buckingham 6 96.00x
Hammersmith London 6 4.79x
Kensington London 6 2.12x
Spalding 6 37.20x
St Anne Soho London 6 20.68x
Toxteth Park 6 2.94x
Wallingford St Mary Le 6 277.78x
Ballingdon Cum Brundon 5 393.70x
Brighton 5 2.89x
Colchester Holy Trinity 5 224.22x
Friern Barnet 5 44.68x
Ipswich St Margaret 5 23.80x
Kings Norton 5 8.40x
Poplar London 5 5.21x
Sible Hedingham 5 149.25x
St Luke London 5 6.13x
St Marylebone London 5 1.84x
Cheltenham 4 5.20x
Holy Trinity 4 3.30x
Northmoor 4 769.23x
Oadby 4 132.45x
Paddington London 4 2.14x
Rusholme 4 24.86x
Sudbury St Peter 4 117.99x
Wilbarston In Market 4 449.44x
Alphamstone 3 697.67x
Bethnal Green London 3 1.36x
Clee With Weelsby 3 16.86x
Colne Engaine 3 329.67x
Holbeach 3 33.15x
Lambeth 3 0.68x
Long Melford 3 52.17x
Mile End Old Town London 3 2.77x
Southampton St Mary 3 4.58x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.35x
St Woollos 3 7.32x
Sully 3 857.14x
Whittlesey St Mary St 3 26.69x
Wimbledon 3 10.79x
Abingdon St Helen 2 17.94x
Brampton 2 17.99x
Chepstow St Pierre 2 2000.00x
Chigwell 2 21.12x
Copford 2 173.91x
Crathorne 2 454.55x
Drayton 2 185.19x
Goytrey 2 170.94x
Great Clacton 2 58.48x
Herne 2 26.04x
Horfield 2 19.94x
Llantwit Vairdre 2 20.10x
Long Buckby 2 45.25x
Outwell 2 333.33x
Southminster 2 90.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 41
John 33
George 27
James 17
Charles 9
Daniel 9
Arthur 8
Albert 7
Henry 7
Thomas 7
Walter 6
Alfred 5
Frederick 5
Robert 5
Wm. 5
Joseph 4
Amos 3
David 3
Edward 3
Harry 3
Absolom 2
Edgar 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Philip 2
Ralph 2
Stephen 2
Adolphus 1
Augustus 1
Auther 1
Birtie 1
Carles 1
Champell 1
Clement 1
Dennis 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Frdk.J. 1
Fredc. 1
Fredrick 1
Gilbert 1
Jno.R. 1
Job 1
Lewis 1
Mark 1
Maurice 1
Morice 1
Richard 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Dixey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dixey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 521 people were recorded with the Dixey surname. That placed it at #6,556 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dixey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 717 in 2016. That gives Dixey a modern rank of #7,575.

What does the Dixey surname mean?

An English surname derived from an Old English nickname for a dice player or gambler.

What does the Dixey map show?

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