NameCensus.

UK surname

Dollman

An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of dolls.

In the 1881 census there were 117 people recorded with the Dollman surname, ranking it #18,026 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 153, ranked #23,408, down from #18,026 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Acton, St Pancras and Poulton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Dorset, Thurrock and Aylesbury Vale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dollman is 160 in 2008. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.8%.

1881 census count

117

Ranked #18,026

Modern count

153

2016, ranked #23,408

Peak year

2008

160 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dollman had 117 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,026 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016, ranked #23,408.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 117 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Dollman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dollman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dollman 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 82 #19,317
1861 historical 51 #27,498
1881 historical 117 #18,026
1891 historical 94 #24,820
1901 historical 112 #21,382
1911 historical 113 #21,168
1997 modern 121 #24,019
1998 modern 124 #24,316
1999 modern 122 #24,745
2000 modern 123 #24,585
2001 modern 115 #25,222
2002 modern 124 #24,616
2003 modern 136 #23,045
2004 modern 143 #22,471
2005 modern 153 #21,490
2006 modern 139 #23,044
2007 modern 147 #22,510
2008 modern 160 #21,521
2009 modern 155 #22,438
2010 modern 158 #22,692
2011 modern 152 #23,101
2012 modern 134 #25,059
2013 modern 146 #24,107
2014 modern 149 #23,969
2015 modern 149 #23,817
2016 modern 153 #23,408

Geography

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Where Dollmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Acton, St Pancras, Poulton, Brighton and Stranton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Dorset, Thurrock, Aylesbury Vale, Central Bedfordshire and Southend-on-Sea. 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 Acton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Poulton Lancashire
4 Brighton Sussex
5 Stranton Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Dorset 003 West Dorset
2 Thurrock 002 Thurrock
3 Aylesbury Vale 011 Aylesbury Vale
4 Central Bedfordshire 011 Central Bedfordshire
5 Southend-on-Sea 013 Southend-on-Sea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dollman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dollman

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Dollman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Dollman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Dollman 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

Dollman is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Dollman

The surname Dollman is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, derived from the Old English word "dole," meaning a share or portion, and "man," meaning a person. This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who distributed or allocated goods or resources.

The earliest recorded instance of the Dollman surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appeared as "Doleman." This indicates that the name was already established in the region by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1327, where it was spelled "Dolman." This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of surnames during that era, as they were often adapted based on local dialects and pronunciation.

One notable historical figure bearing the Dollman surname was John Dollman, who was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1616. He was a prominent landowner and served as the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1658.

Another individual of note was William Dollman, born in 1687 in Oxfordshire. He was a renowned clockmaker and watchmaker, renowned for his intricate and innovative timepiece designs.

In the 18th century, the Dollman surname appeared in various records across England, including parish registers and tax records. One notable figure from this period was Samuel Dollman, born in 1725 in Gloucestershire. He was a successful merchant and served as a local magistrate.

The 19th century saw the Dollman surname spread further afield, with individuals bearing the name recorded in various parts of the British Empire. One such individual was Robert Dollman, born in 1812 in Lincolnshire, who emigrated to Australia and became a prominent settler in the colony of New South Wales.

Another notable figure from this era was Elizabeth Dollman, born in 1834 in Yorkshire. She was a pioneering educator and founded one of the first schools for girls in her region, advocating for equal access to education for women.

As the Dollman surname continued to evolve, it also gave rise to various place names and locations associated with the name. For example, Dollmanhill in Gloucestershire and Dollman's Farm in Oxfordshire, both of which were likely named after individuals bearing the Dollman surname who owned or resided in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dollman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dollman 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 34 Dollmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.98x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 34 2.98x
Warwickshire 19 6.60x
Lancashire 18 1.33x
Sussex 9 4.68x
Berkshire 6 7.01x
Midlothian 6 3.92x
Nottinghamshire 5 3.25x
Derbyshire 4 2.24x
Kent 4 1.03x
Surrey 4 0.72x
Wiltshire 3 2.97x
Leicestershire 2 1.58x
Bedfordshire 1 1.69x
Hampshire 1 0.43x
Staffordshire 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thornton In Fylde in Lancashire leads with 17 Dollmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 574.32x.

Place Total Index
Thornton In Fylde 17 574.32x
St Pancras London 10 10.89x
Hornsey 9 62.37x
Brighton 8 20.61x
St Andrew Holborn London 8 161.94x
Birmingham 7 7.30x
Edgbaston 7 78.48x
Edinburgh St Marys 6 202.02x
Sandhurst 6 361.45x
Aston 5 6.31x
Beeston 5 282.49x
Lambeth 4 4.02x
Melbourne 4 327.87x
St Andrew Holborn 3 77.52x
Bexley 2 58.14x
Chiswick 2 32.05x
Christian Malford 2 645.16x
Gravesend 2 60.61x
Sheepshed 2 115.61x
Chelsea London 1 2.91x
Hillmarton 1 400.00x
Hound 1 62.89x
Luton 1 9.78x
Pendleton In Salford 1 6.20x
St George Martyr London 1 43.29x
Subdeanary 1 192.31x
Wednesfield 1 17.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 5
Agnes 4
Jane 4
Mary 4
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Kate 3
Matilda 3
Alice 2
Cecilia 2
Grace 2
Harriet 2
Amelia 1
Angeline 1
Camilla 1
Constance 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Margaret 1
Margaretta 1
Maria 1
Marnie 1
Marry 1
Sarah 1
Selina 1
Sidney 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 8
John 6
Arthur 4
Francis 4
Henry 4
William 4
Albert 1
Alexdr.Jd. 1
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Chas 1
Chas. 1
Frances 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
George 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Isaac 1
James 1
Job 1
Mathew 1
Samson 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Dollman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dollman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 117 people were recorded with the Dollman surname. That placed it at #18,026 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dollman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016. That gives Dollman a modern rank of #23,408.

What does the Dollman surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of dolls.

What does the Dollman map show?

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