NameCensus.

UK surname

Doll

A nickname-derived surname referring to a cute, pretty, or well-dressed person, or a toymaker who made dolls.

In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Doll surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 139, ranked #25,001, up from #27,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Richmond and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Kesteven, Ealing and Bournemouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Doll is 141 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 231.0%.

1881 census count

42

Ranked #27,721

Modern count

139

2016, ranked #25,001

Peak year

2013

141 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Doll had 42 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016, ranked #25,001.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 131 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Doll surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Doll surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Doll 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 35 #27,037
1861 historical 131 #17,052
1881 historical 42 #27,721
1891 historical 45 #30,747
1901 historical 58 #27,724
1911 historical 56 #27,216
1997 modern 122 #23,917
1998 modern 130 #23,603
1999 modern 120 #24,960
2000 modern 116 #25,452
2001 modern 112 #25,644
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 103 #27,785
2007 modern 105 #27,868
2008 modern 101 #28,825
2009 modern 122 #26,220
2010 modern 133 #25,379
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 135 #24,952
2013 modern 141 #24,670
2014 modern 136 #25,452
2015 modern 139 #24,956
2016 modern 139 #25,001

Geography

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Where Dolls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Richmond, St Pancras and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Kesteven, Ealing, Bournemouth and Hillingdon. 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 Richmond Surrey
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Kesteven 005 South Kesteven
2 Ealing 037 Ealing
3 Bournemouth 014 Bournemouth
4 Hillingdon 026 Hillingdon
5 Bournemouth 013 Bournemouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Doll

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Doll

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Doll surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Doll household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Doll is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Doll is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Doll falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Doll 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Doll

The surname DOLL is of German origin, with roots that can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It likely originated from the German word "Dol" or "Toll," meaning "mad" or "foolish." This surname may have been given as a nickname to someone who exhibited eccentric or peculiar behavior.

In its early form, the surname DOLL was often spelled as "Dolle" or "Doell." One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the town records of Alsfeld, Germany, where a certain Henne Dolle was mentioned in 1380. The name also appeared in the Bürgermatrikel (citizen register) of Frankfurt am Main in the 15th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name DOLL gained popularity in various regions of Germany, particularly in the areas of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg. It was also found in parts of Switzerland, where it was sometimes spelled as "Döll" or "Döllinger."

One notable bearer of the DOLL surname was Johann Christoph Doll (1808-1888), a German-American architect and civil engineer who was instrumental in the construction of several important buildings and structures in the United States, including the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

Another prominent figure was Friedrich Doll (1857-1938), a German sculptor and artist known for his work in the Art Nouveau style. He created numerous public monuments and sculptures that adorned buildings and parks throughout Germany.

In the realm of literature, the name DOLL was borne by Gustav Doll (1892-1970), a German writer and playwright who gained recognition for his novels and plays depicting life in rural Germany.

Across the Atlantic, one of the earliest recorded instances of the DOLL surname in America dates back to the late 17th century, when Johann Doll and his family emigrated from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania.

Throughout the centuries, the DOLL surname has been carried by numerous individuals who have left their mark in various fields, including science, politics, and the arts. While the name may have originated from a seemingly unflattering nickname, it has since evolved to represent a rich cultural heritage and a diverse array of accomplishments.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Doll families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Doll 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 26 Dolls recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.35x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 26 6.35x
Wiltshire 4 11.04x
Worcestershire 3 5.61x
Berkshire 1 3.25x
Dorset 1 3.72x
Hampshire 1 1.19x
Lanarkshire 1 0.75x
Lincolnshire 1 1.53x
Northumberland 1 1.64x
Somerset 1 1.52x
Sussex 1 1.45x
Yorkshire 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chelsea London in Middlesex leads with 9 Dolls recorded in 1881 and an index of 72.93x.

Place Total Index
Chelsea London 9 72.93x
Paddington London 5 33.20x
Bethnal Green London 4 22.48x
Corsley 4 2857.14x
Kensington London 4 17.57x
Kings Norton 3 62.50x
Bow London 1 19.19x
Elswick 1 20.58x
Farnborough 1 113.64x
Frome 1 63.29x
Govan 1 3.05x
Great Grimsby 1 24.04x
Hampstead London 1 15.67x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 303.03x
Lancing 1 526.32x
Portland 1 68.97x
St Clement Danes London 1 117.65x
St George In East London 1 25.97x
Windsor Castle 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Amelia 2
Annie 2
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Georgina 1
Honor 1
Jane 1
Laura 1
Leonie 1
Madelaine 1
Marion 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Rosaling 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Christian 2
Henry 2
Walter 2
Augustin 1
Carl 1
Charles 1
Earnest 1
Fredk. 1
George 1
Hattil 1
Hermann 1
Jacob 1
Karl 1
Otto 1
Rudolph 1
Samuel 1
Wal 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Doll households.

FAQ

Doll surname: questions and answers

How common was the Doll surname in 1881?

In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Doll surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Doll surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016. That gives Doll a modern rank of #25,001.

What does the Doll surname mean?

A nickname-derived surname referring to a cute, pretty, or well-dressed person, or a toymaker who made dolls.

What does the Doll map show?

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