NameCensus.

UK surname

Dobney

From a place name in Gloucestershire, derived from "dun" meaning hill and "ey" meaning island.

In the 1881 census there were 240 people recorded with the Dobney surname, ranking it #11,410 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 328, ranked #13,831, down from #11,410 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Langtoft. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Holland, South Kesteven and Oadby and Wigston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dobney is 365 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.7%.

1881 census count

240

Ranked #11,410

Modern count

328

2016, ranked #13,831

Peak year

1911

365 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dobney had 240 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,410 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 328 in 2016, ranked #13,831.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 365 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Dobney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dobney surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dobney 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 161 #12,288
1861 historical 146 #15,628
1881 historical 240 #11,410
1891 historical 306 #10,945
1901 historical 336 #10,762
1911 historical 365 #9,955
1997 modern 305 #13,377
1998 modern 319 #13,330
1999 modern 307 #13,757
2000 modern 318 #13,415
2001 modern 309 #13,487
2002 modern 318 #13,475
2003 modern 327 #13,046
2004 modern 316 #13,425
2005 modern 329 #12,966
2006 modern 317 #13,376
2007 modern 313 #13,648
2008 modern 312 #13,764
2009 modern 319 #13,832
2010 modern 331 #13,769
2011 modern 324 #13,839
2012 modern 322 #13,799
2013 modern 339 #13,477
2014 modern 348 #13,320
2015 modern 343 #13,365
2016 modern 328 #13,831

Geography

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Where Dobneys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Langtoft, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars and Melton Mowbray. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Holland, South Kesteven, Oadby and Wigston and Maldon. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Langtoft Lincolnshire
4 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire
5 Melton Mowbray Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Holland 001 South Holland
2 South Kesteven 007 South Kesteven
3 Oadby and Wigston 009 Oadby and Wigston
4 South Kesteven 004 South Kesteven
5 Maldon 006 Maldon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dobney

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dobney

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Dobney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Dobney household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Dobney is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Dobney is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Dobney

The surname Dobney has its origins in England, with records of the name dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "dob," which means "dove." This suggests that the name may have been originally given as a nickname to someone who had a particular affinity with doves or pigeons.

Variations of the spelling, such as Dobneye and Dobney, can be found in ancient records and manuscripts from various counties in England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Derbyshire in 1327, where a Robert Dobney is mentioned.

Interestingly, the Dobney surname has also been linked to certain place names in England. For example, there is a hamlet called Dobney in the parish of Wragby, Lincolnshire, which may have contributed to the development of the surname in that region.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Dobney surname. One of the earliest was John Dobney, who was born in Lincolnshire around 1470 and served as a member of the English Parliament in the early 16th century. Another prominent figure was Sir Richard Dobney, a military officer and landowner who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

In the 18th century, there was a renowned English botanist named William Dobney (1703-1785), who made significant contributions to the study of plant life. His extensive herbarium and collection of botanical drawings are still preserved in various museums and libraries today.

Moving into the 19th century, one notable Dobney was the author and journalist Henry Dobney (1832-1899), who wrote several books on English history and folklore. Additionally, there was a respected architect named Edward Dobney (1858-1923), who was responsible for designing several prominent buildings in London and other parts of England.

While the Dobney surname may not be as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history that spans several centuries and can be traced back to its origins in the medieval period. The name's connection to doves and pigeons, as well as its links to specific place names, add to its unique character and significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dobney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dobney 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. Leicestershire leads with 67 Dobneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.81x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 67 25.81x
Middlesex 50 2.14x
Lincolnshire 29 7.75x
Yorkshire 19 0.82x
Rutland 16 93.08x
Lancashire 14 0.50x
Nottinghamshire 8 2.54x
Surrey 8 0.70x
Kent 7 0.88x
Gloucestershire 5 1.09x
Hampshire 5 1.04x
Worcestershire 5 1.64x
Huntingdonshire 4 8.61x
Derbyshire 2 0.55x
Northamptonshire 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire leads with 24 Dobneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 513.92x.

Place Total Index
Melton Mowbray 24 513.92x
St Pancras London 18 9.55x
Langtoft 15 3191.49x
Burton Lazars 10 5000.00x
Leicester St Margaret 10 15.80x
Islington London 9 3.97x
Oakham Deanshold 9 1168.83x
Wortley In Bramley 9 48.99x
Barrowford Booth 8 260.59x
Nottingham St Mary 8 9.80x
Sileby 7 426.83x
Limehouse London 6 23.35x
Bristol St Augustine 5 67.48x
Newington 5 5.78x
Portsea 5 5.32x
Great Malvern 4 62.70x
Greatford 4 2222.22x
Kensington London 4 3.07x
Shoreditch London 4 3.94x
Skipton 4 54.79x
Stapleford 4 4444.44x
Wapping London 4 223.46x
Wavertree 4 44.99x
Woolwich 4 13.55x
Buckden 3 357.14x
Folkingham 3 652.17x
Handsworth 3 48.94x
Holy Trinity 3 5.38x
Maidstone 3 12.61x
Market Overton 3 967.74x
Somerby 3 697.67x
Syston 3 123.46x
Wymondham 3 566.04x
Great Little Marsden 2 15.72x
Southwark St Saviour 2 16.63x
St Marylebone London 2 1.60x
Swineshead 2 162.60x
Ashwell 1 500.00x
Aunby 1 2000.00x
Carlby 1 769.23x
Chelsea London 1 1.42x
Denton 1 227.27x
Exton 1 192.31x
Godmanchester 1 56.82x
Great Casterton 1 384.62x
Hackney London 1 0.76x
Lambeth 1 0.49x
Loughborough 1 8.49x
Mark Eaton 1 181.82x
Melton Mowbray Freeby 1 909.09x
Mickleover 1 88.50x
Pointon 1 285.71x
Queniborough 1 227.27x
St George In East London 1 4.54x
Stamford Baron St Martin 1 84.75x
Stamford St George 1 59.52x
Whissendine 1 169.49x
Worcester St Helen 1 102.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 17
Mary 12
Eliza 8
Elizabeth 8
Ann 7
Ellen 5
Hannah 5
Jane 5
Martha 4
Edith 3
Emma 3
Florence 3
Harriet 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Matilda 3
Ruth 3
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Fanny 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Maria 2
Violet 2
Adeline 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anna 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Elizth.J. 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Lizzy 1
Lucretia 1
Malana 1
Margaret 1
Margret 1
Marion 1
Mark 1
Maud 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 24
John 14
Thomas 9
Robert 8
James 6
Richard 6
Henry 5
Herbert 4
Charles 3
George 3
Amos 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Wm. 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Auther 1
Charlie 1
David 1
Doley 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Josiah 1
Samuel 1
W.Frederick 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Dobney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dobney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 240 people were recorded with the Dobney surname. That placed it at #11,410 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dobney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 328 in 2016. That gives Dobney a modern rank of #13,831.

What does the Dobney surname mean?

From a place name in Gloucestershire, derived from "dun" meaning hill and "ey" meaning island.

What does the Dobney map show?

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