NameCensus.

UK surname

Dobell

An English locational surname derived from a place name possibly referring to someone who lived near a dovecote.

In the 1881 census there were 383 people recorded with the Dobell surname, ranking it #8,212 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 221, ranked #18,321, down from #8,212 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rother, Ipswich and Glenrothes Auchmuty.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dobell is 456 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.3%.

1881 census count

383

Ranked #8,212

Modern count

221

2016, ranked #18,321

Peak year

1911

456 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dobell had 383 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,212 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 221 in 2016, ranked #18,321.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 456 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dobell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dobell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dobell 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 259 #8,550
1861 historical 224 #10,882
1881 historical 383 #8,212
1891 historical 402 #8,842
1901 historical 442 #8,818
1911 historical 456 #8,409
1997 modern 234 #15,939
1998 modern 258 #15,354
1999 modern 253 #15,667
2000 modern 243 #16,053
2001 modern 240 #15,912
2002 modern 261 #15,369
2003 modern 260 #15,216
2004 modern 248 #15,779
2005 modern 242 #15,987
2006 modern 234 #16,493
2007 modern 248 #15,994
2008 modern 241 #16,481
2009 modern 247 #16,549
2010 modern 254 #16,604
2011 modern 255 #16,428
2012 modern 250 #16,523
2013 modern 241 #17,202
2014 modern 243 #17,232
2015 modern 231 #17,733
2016 modern 221 #18,321

Geography

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Where Dobells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Liverpool, Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich) and Battle. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rother, Ipswich, Glenrothes Auchmuty, County Durham and Eastbourne. 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 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich) Cheshire
5 Battle Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rother 011 Rother
2 Ipswich 013 Ipswich
3 Glenrothes Auchmuty Fife
4 County Durham 032 County Durham
5 Eastbourne 011 Eastbourne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dobell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dobell

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Dobell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dobell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Dobell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dobell is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dobell 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 Dobell 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 Dobell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dobell

The surname Dobell originated in England, likely in the late medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from a place name such as Dobhill or Dovehill. The name may have roots in Old English words like "dub" or "dof," meaning a small hill or mound.

The earliest recorded instances of the Dobell surname date back to the 16th century. One of the earliest known bearers was John Dobell, who was mentioned in the parish records of Ashton, Northamptonshire, in 1568. The Dobell family is also known to have lived in Gloucestershire and Somerset during this time.

In the 17th century, the surname appears in various records, including the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1665, which list several Dobell households in Somerset. One notable figure was Edward Dobell (1625-1691), a merchant and philanthropist from Cranbrook, Kent, who founded the Dobell Charity, which still operates today.

The 18th century saw the Dobell family spread further across England. Sydney Dobell (1824-1874) was a renowned English poet and critic, born in Cranbrook, Kent. His works include "Balder" and "Thoughts on Art, Philosophy, and Religion."

In the 19th century, John Dobell (1798-1868) was a prominent English businessman and philanthropist from Cheltenham. He was instrumental in establishing the Cheltenham Mechanics' Institute and was also a member of the Royal Society of Arts.

Another notable figure was Bertram Dobell (1842-1914), an English bookseller and publisher from London. He was known for his expertise in rare and antiquarian books and published works by famous authors like Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.

Throughout its history, the Dobell surname has been associated with various professions, including merchants, philanthropists, poets, and booksellers. While its origins may be rooted in place names, the name has spread across England and become a part of the country's rich cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dobell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dobell 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 65 Dobells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.74x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 65 1.74x
Kent 61 4.79x
Cheshire 55 6.67x
Lancashire 38 0.86x
Sussex 37 5.87x
Devon 21 2.70x
Gloucestershire 19 2.59x
Somerset 16 2.66x
Surrey 14 0.77x
Cornwall 12 2.84x
Dorset 6 2.45x
Staffordshire 5 0.40x
Yorkshire 5 0.14x
Shropshire 4 1.24x
Denbighshire 3 2.13x
Glamorgan 3 0.46x
Midlothian 3 0.60x
Monmouthshire 3 1.11x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.60x
Wiltshire 3 0.91x
Derbyshire 2 0.34x
Durham 2 0.18x
Hertfordshire 1 0.39x
Rutland 1 3.65x
Suffolk 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cranbrook in Kent leads with 21 Dobells recorded in 1881 and an index of 388.89x.

Place Total Index
Cranbrook 21 388.89x
Tonbridge 13 28.28x
Mile End Old Town London 12 15.09x
Nantwich 12 125.26x
Leftwich 11 300.55x
Truro St Mary 11 309.86x
Bradwall 10 1176.47x
Battle 9 211.76x
Hastings St Mary 9 57.40x
St Pancras London 9 2.99x
Marden 8 267.56x
Great Neston 7 257.35x
Kensington London 7 3.37x
Plumstead 7 16.47x
Toxteth Park 7 4.66x
Whittington 7 2413.79x
Wolborough 7 71.21x
Combe St Nicholas 6 413.79x
Great Crosby 6 49.63x
Huyton With Roby 6 115.61x
Kenton 6 244.90x
Ratcliffe London 6 29.08x
Yeovil 6 49.10x
Bow London 5 10.51x
Bromley London 5 6.08x
Charlton Kings 5 98.62x
Islington London 5 1.38x
St Marylebone London 5 2.51x
Birkenhead 4 6.08x
Everton 4 2.83x
Fordington 4 75.76x
Ifield 4 152.09x
Liverpool 4 1.49x
Modbury 4 201.01x
Ore 4 85.29x
St Mary Aldermary London 4 4444.44x
Stoke Upon Trent 4 2.99x
Streatham 4 14.43x
Wem 4 83.33x
Brighton 3 2.36x
Camberwell 3 1.26x
Eastbourne 3 10.35x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 1.49x
Eltham 3 40.16x
Formby 3 59.76x
Frome 3 20.86x
Great Wishford 3 652.17x
Gresford Gwersyllt 3 68.49x
Merthyr Tydfil 3 4.80x
Walton On Thames 3 35.89x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 3 40.87x
Ashburton 2 53.76x
Bingley 2 8.48x
Blandford Forum 2 41.32x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 2.90x
Cheltenham 2 3.54x
Christchurch 2 23.95x
Davenham 2 266.67x
Hackney London 2 0.95x
Hastings St Andrew 2 88.50x
North Bierley 2 10.01x
North Meols 2 4.61x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.54x
West Derby 2 1.54x
Ashford 1 8.06x
Barrow In Furness 1 1.66x
Boughton Monchelsea 1 70.92x
Castle Northwich 1 36.63x
Caterham 1 12.42x
Farnworth 1 3.77x
Great Bolton 1 1.70x
Llanvaches 1 344.83x
Lynton 1 64.52x
North Barrow 1 666.67x
Oxton 1 21.46x
Painswick 1 19.31x
Pannal 1 28.17x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.52x
St Luke London 1 1.67x
Westminster St James 1 2.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 19
Mary 19
Emily 14
Sarah 13
Ellen 10
Alice 9
Ann 8
Louisa 8
Lucy 7
Frances 5
Ada 4
Agnes 4
Annie 4
Harriett 4
Martha 4
Amelia 3
Edith 3
Emma 3
Jane 3
Margaret 3
Bessie 2
Charlotte 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Henrietta 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Maud 2
Amy 1
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Elzth. 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Eveline 1
Evelyn 1
Grace 1
Gwendolyne 1
Laura 1
Leslie 1
Lillie 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Dobell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dobell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 383 people were recorded with the Dobell surname. That placed it at #8,212 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dobell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 221 in 2016. That gives Dobell a modern rank of #18,321.

What does the Dobell surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name possibly referring to someone who lived near a dovecote.

What does the Dobell map show?

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