NameCensus.

UK surname

Doling

An English locational surname referring to someone who lived near a piece of common land.

In the 1881 census there were 171 people recorded with the Doling surname, ranking it #14,212 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 145, ranked #24,293, down from #14,212 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Romsey Extra, Michelmersh, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bristol, South Gloucestershire and New Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Doling is 248 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 15.2%.

1881 census count

171

Ranked #14,212

Modern count

145

2016, ranked #24,293

Peak year

1901

248 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Doling had 171 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,212 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016, ranked #24,293.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 248 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Doling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Doling surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Doling 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 147 #13,084
1861 historical 173 #13,553
1881 historical 171 #14,212
1891 historical 198 #15,033
1901 historical 248 #13,204
1911 historical 246 #13,054
1997 modern 173 #19,295
1998 modern 191 #18,624
1999 modern 191 #18,744
2000 modern 194 #18,554
2001 modern 190 #18,520
2002 modern 193 #18,713
2003 modern 186 #18,928
2004 modern 185 #19,114
2005 modern 170 #20,066
2006 modern 161 #20,972
2007 modern 157 #21,546
2008 modern 156 #21,862
2009 modern 159 #22,072
2010 modern 158 #22,692
2011 modern 152 #23,101
2012 modern 133 #25,187
2013 modern 137 #25,149
2014 modern 142 #24,734
2015 modern 148 #23,934
2016 modern 145 #24,293

Geography

Back to top

Where Dolings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Romsey Extra, Michelmersh, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and South Stoneham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bristol, South Gloucestershire and New Forest. 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 Romsey Extra, Michelmersh Hampshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 South Stoneham Hampshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bristol 038 Bristol, City of
2 South Gloucestershire 023 South Gloucestershire
3 New Forest 003 New Forest
4 New Forest 005 New Forest
5 South Gloucestershire 004 South Gloucestershire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Doling

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Doling

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Doling is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Doling is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Doling falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Doling is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Doling, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Doling

The surname Doling has its origins in England and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "dolling," which meant a small valley or dell. The name may have been initially used as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived in or near a small valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1166, where it appears as "Dolinges." This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 12th century.

In the Domesday Book, a record of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are references to several places with similar names, such as "Dolinge" and "Dolinges," which may have been the origin of the surname.

The Doling surname has been associated with various places across England, including Doling in Derbyshire, Dolings in Lincolnshire, and Dollings in Worcestershire. These place names likely contributed to the development and spread of the surname.

Notable individuals with the surname Doling include John Doling, a merchant who lived in London in the late 16th century, and Sir William Doling, a prominent landowner in Oxfordshire during the reign of King Henry VIII.

In the 18th century, Robert Doling (1720-1789) was a renowned clockmaker from Gloucestershire, known for his intricate timepieces. Doling's clocks are still highly sought after by collectors today.

Another notable figure was Sarah Doling (1784-1866), a philanthropist from Yorkshire who founded several schools and orphanages in her hometown. Her charitable work had a lasting impact on the local community.

In the 19th century, Charles Doling (1821-1898) was a respected author and journalist who wrote extensively on topics related to British history and culture. Some of his works include "The History of Nottinghamshire" and "The Life and Times of Queen Victoria."

While the Doling surname may not be as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history spanning centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, landowners, craftsmen, authors, and philanthropists.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Doling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Doling 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. Hampshire leads with 76 Dolings recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.23x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 76 22.23x
Kent 24 4.22x
Lancashire 14 0.71x
Middlesex 13 0.78x
Surrey 10 1.23x
Durham 8 1.61x
Staffordshire 6 1.07x
Cheshire 5 1.36x
Dorset 3 2.74x
Gloucestershire 3 0.92x
Yorkshire 3 0.18x
Devon 2 0.58x
Somerset 2 0.75x
Warwickshire 1 0.24x
Wiltshire 1 0.68x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southampton St Mary in Hampshire leads with 18 Dolings recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.72x.

Place Total Index
Southampton St Mary 18 83.72x
South Stoneham 10 134.77x
Hound 9 387.93x
Millbrook 9 104.53x
Rochester St Margaret 9 150.00x
Westoe 8 28.44x
Gillingham 7 59.68x
Romsey Infra 7 603.45x
St Marylebone London 7 7.86x
Sedgley 6 28.69x
Barrow In Furness 5 18.57x
Battersea 5 8.15x
Birkenhead 5 17.04x
Deptford St Paul 5 11.39x
Liverpool 5 4.16x
Camberwell 4 3.75x
Hursley 4 506.33x
Portsea 4 5.97x
Southampton All Sts 4 68.14x
Clerkenwell London 3 7.62x
Portsmouth 3 38.12x
Alverstoke 2 16.17x
Beckenham 2 26.88x
Bedminster 2 7.93x
Botley 2 322.58x
Bridport 2 88.89x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 6.49x
Freshwater 2 128.21x
Hanwell 2 67.57x
Romsey Extra 2 98.52x
Aston 1 0.86x
Aughton 1 51.02x
Cheetham 1 6.78x
Chudleigh 1 90.91x
Clifton 1 6.05x
Kensington London 1 1.08x
Manningham 1 4.91x
Middlesbrough 1 4.65x
Mirfield 1 11.03x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 3.74x
Saltwood 1 250.00x
Simonstone 1 416.67x
Streatham 1 8.08x
Tarrant Rushton 1 1000.00x
Warrington 1 4.26x
Wilton 1 96.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 10
John 9
George 7
Henry 7
Thomas 7
Charles 6
Samuel 5
Albert 3
Edward 3
James 3
Robert 3
Wm. 3
Edmond 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Chas. 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Job 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Doling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Doling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 171 people were recorded with the Doling surname. That placed it at #14,212 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Doling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016. That gives Doling a modern rank of #24,293.

What does the Doling surname mean?

An English locational surname referring to someone who lived near a piece of common land.

What does the Doling map show?

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