UK surname
A surname derived from an archaic word for a brewer or tavern-keeper.
In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Dockett surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 28, ranked #36,125, down from #26,009 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tipton otherwise Tibington, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dockett is 127 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.1%.
1881 census count
54
Ranked #26,009
Modern count
28
2016, ranked #36,125
Peak year
1861
127 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dockett surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dockett 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 | 41 | #25,926 |
| 1861 | historical | 127 | #17,469 |
| 1881 | historical | 54 | #26,009 |
| 1891 | historical | 108 | #22,828 |
| 1901 | historical | 79 | #25,363 |
| 1911 | historical | 75 | #25,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 51 | #32,545 |
| 1998 | modern | 48 | #33,111 |
| 1999 | modern | 48 | #33,233 |
| 2000 | modern | 45 | #33,526 |
| 2001 | modern | 45 | #33,401 |
| 2002 | modern | 45 | #33,712 |
| 2003 | modern | 43 | #33,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 41 | #34,306 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 34 | #35,255 |
| 2007 | modern | 27 | #35,876 |
| 2008 | modern | 25 | #36,072 |
| 2009 | modern | 27 | #36,045 |
| 2010 | modern | 35 | #35,676 |
| 2011 | modern | 32 | #35,831 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 31 | #35,927 |
| 2014 | modern | 30 | #36,005 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 28 | #36,125 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tipton otherwise Tibington, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, St Pancras, Swansea and London parishes. 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 | Tipton otherwise Tibington | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton | Devon |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Swansea | Glamorganshire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 2 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dockett 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 Dockett, 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 Dockett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dockett 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, Dockett 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 Dockett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dockett, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Dockett has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words 'doc' or 'docce', meaning a ditch or trench, and the diminutive suffix '-et', signifying a small or lesser version of something. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a small ditch or stream.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a Thomas de la Dokette. The spelling variations during this period included Dokette, Dockette, and Doket, reflecting the evolution of the name over time.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records, such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where a John Doket was listed. This indicates the name's presence in different regions of England during the medieval period.
The Dockett surname has also been associated with certain place names, such as Dockett End, a hamlet in the parish of Shrawley, Worcestershire. This connection suggests that some individuals may have adopted the name based on their place of origin or residence.
Notable individuals with the surname Dockett include:
1. Richard Dockett (c. 1580 - c. 1630), an English clergyman and author known for his work "A Godly Form of Household Government." 2. John Dockett (1671-1735), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Grantham. 3. William Dockett (1803-1871), a British railway engineer who designed and constructed several notable railway lines in the United Kingdom. 4. Mary Dockett (1856-1922), an American teacher and activist who played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in New York. 5. Thomas Dockett (1890-1966), a British military officer who served in World War I and later became a successful businessman.
While the Dockett surname may not be as widespread as some others, it holds a rich history deeply rooted in the English language and culture, with references spanning several centuries and various regions of England.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dockett 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. Devon leads with 39 Docketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.93x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 39 | 34.93x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.12x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 5.35x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.38x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 4.42x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 15.65x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.38x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashwater in Devon leads with 9 Docketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5625.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwater | 9 | 5625.00x |
| Buckland Monachorum | 9 | 3750.00x |
| St Pancras London | 6 | 13.90x |
| Swansea Town | 5 | 65.27x |
| Holsworthy | 4 | 1250.00x |
| Crediton | 3 | 283.02x |
| Exeter St Sidwell | 3 | 117.19x |
| Landkey | 3 | 2727.27x |
| Barnstaple | 2 | 114.29x |
| Newton Abbot St Mary | 2 | 212.77x |
| Devonport | 1 | 78.13x |
| Egg Buckland | 1 | 526.32x |
| Exeter Holy Trinity | 1 | 227.27x |
| Exeter St Paul | 1 | 454.55x |
| Hambledon | 1 | 357.14x |
| Llanegwad | 1 | 333.33x |
| Normanby In | 1 | 70.42x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 18.32x |
| Stanghow | 1 | 476.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dockett 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 Dockett 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 Dockett households.
FAQ
In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Dockett surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 28 in 2016. That gives Dockett a modern rank of #36,125.
A surname derived from an archaic word for a brewer or tavern-keeper.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dockett 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.