NameCensus.

UK surname

Don

A surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Irish word "donn" meaning "brown" or "chief."

In the 1881 census there were 195 people recorded with the Don surname, ranking it #13,054 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,121, ranked #5,256, up from #13,054 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Tyneside, Caithness North West and Newport and Wormit.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Don is 1,121 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 474.9%.

1881 census count

195

Ranked #13,054

Modern count

1,121

2016, ranked #5,256

Peak year

2016

1,121 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Don had 195 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,054 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,121 in 2016, ranked #5,256.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 886 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Don surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Don surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Don 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 543 #4,650
1881 historical 195 #13,054
1891 historical 573 #6,640
1901 historical 886 #5,198
1997 modern 854 #6,217
1998 modern 852 #6,423
1999 modern 862 #6,411
2000 modern 878 #6,294
2001 modern 830 #6,465
2002 modern 876 #6,304
2003 modern 857 #6,311
2004 modern 850 #6,353
2005 modern 832 #6,406
2006 modern 833 #6,404
2007 modern 822 #6,545
2008 modern 864 #6,338
2009 modern 884 #6,356
2010 modern 921 #6,275
2011 modern 918 #6,232
2012 modern 980 #5,829
2013 modern 1,006 #5,790
2014 modern 1,045 #5,654
2015 modern 1,064 #5,514
2016 modern 1,121 #5,256

Geography

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Where Dons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, St. Ninians and Brechin. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Tyneside, Caithness North West, Newport and Wormit, Aberuthven and Almondbank and The Glens. 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 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 St. Ninians Stirling
5 Brechin Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Tyneside 018 South Tyneside
2 Caithness North West Highland
3 Newport and Wormit Fife
4 Aberuthven and Almondbank Perth and Kinross
5 The Glens Dundee City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Don

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Don

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Don surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Don household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Don 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

Don is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Don falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Don 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 Don, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Don

The surname DON originates from the British Isles, particularly England and Scotland, and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "donn," meaning brown or brown-haired, and was initially used as a nickname for someone with that hair color.

In its earliest recorded forms, the surname appeared as "Don" and "Donne" in various historical records, including the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273. It is also found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Done" in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

The name Don has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest recorded individuals was William Don (c. 1190-1258), a Scottish clergyman who served as Bishop of Argyll and later became Lord Chancellor of Scotland.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir Alexander Don (c. 1450-1530), a Scottish diplomat and soldier who played a significant role in the Anglo-Scottish Wars of the 15th century. He was knighted by King James IV of Scotland for his military service.

In the literary world, the English poet and satirist John Donne (1572-1631) is perhaps the most famous bearer of the name. His works, including poems such as "Death, be not proud" and "The Flea," have had a lasting impact on English literature.

The Don surname has also been associated with notable figures in the scientific community. George Don (1764-1814) was a Scottish botanist and plant collector who made significant contributions to the study of British and Indian flora.

In the realm of art, Sir Robert Don (1778-1859) was a Scottish painter and engraver known for his landscapes and portraits. He was elected a member of the Royal Scottish Academy and served as its president from 1848 to 1851.

While the Don surname originated in the British Isles, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and intermarriage. However, its roots can be traced back to the brown-haired individuals of England and Scotland in the 12th century and earlier.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Don families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Don 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. Angus leads with 114 Dons recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.50x.

County Total Index
Angus 114 18.50x
Perthshire 85 28.47x
Middlesex 74 1.11x
Lanarkshire 61 2.84x
Aberdeenshire 49 7.95x
Midlothian 46 5.16x
Stirlingshire 36 14.67x
Lancashire 26 0.33x
Renfrewshire 22 4.27x
Dunbartonshire 21 11.75x
Fife 19 4.82x
Kincardineshire 19 23.45x
Yorkshire 16 0.24x
Surrey 12 0.37x
Cheshire 10 0.68x
Clackmannanshire 9 16.38x
Kent 8 0.35x
Sussex 7 0.62x
Hertfordshire 6 1.31x
Hampshire 5 0.37x
Caithness 4 4.39x
Essex 4 0.30x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.45x
Berwickshire 3 3.72x
Lincolnshire 3 0.28x
Ayrshire 2 0.40x
Durham 2 0.10x
Leicestershire 2 0.27x
Royal Navy 2 2.52x
Buteshire 1 2.48x
Channel Islands 1 0.51x
Devon 1 0.07x
East Lothian 1 1.13x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.76x
Monmouthshire 1 0.21x
Morayshire 1 0.97x
Northumberland 1 0.10x
Peeblesshire 1 3.20x
Staffordshire 1 0.04x
Warwickshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 30 Dons recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.04x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 30 13.04x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 30 8.37x
Liff Benvie 26 27.79x
Crieff 23 207.21x
Dunblane 23 321.68x
Monifieth 21 96.46x
St Ninians 19 78.13x
Shoreditch London 18 6.24x
Strathdon 13 434.78x
Blantyre 12 53.57x
Clerkenwell London 12 7.64x
Perth West Church 12 84.69x
Aberdeen Old Machar 11 8.55x
Kinnoull 11 140.13x
Govan 10 1.88x
Newhills 10 79.24x
Aldbrough In Skirlaugh 9 737.70x
Barony 9 1.65x
Bothwell 9 15.42x
Brechin 9 37.16x
Forgan 9 119.36x
Old Monkland 9 10.54x
Row 9 38.91x
Stirling 9 29.09x
Tillicoultry 9 73.65x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 8 6.94x
Accrington 8 11.15x
Stracathro 8 720.72x
Cathcart 7 25.10x
Cumbernauld 7 71.43x
Edinburgh St Stephens 7 39.91x
Hammersmith London 7 4.27x
Kinnettles 7 795.45x
St Marylebone London 7 1.97x
Camberwell 6 1.41x
Denny 6 45.98x
East Greenock 6 12.32x
Glasgow 6 1.57x
Kirkdale 6 4.52x
Manchester 6 1.69x
Perth East Church 6 21.31x
St Cyrus 6 176.99x
Coupar Angus 5 85.76x
East Barnet 5 54.95x
Fetteresso 5 39.37x
Goudhurst 5 79.62x
Hamilton 5 8.33x
Hound 5 54.05x
Islington London 5 0.78x
Kinneff Catterline 5 219.30x
Newhaven 5 54.88x
Paisley Middle Church 5 16.66x
South Leith 5 4.99x
St Pancras London 5 0.93x
Toxteth Park 5 1.87x
Willesden 5 7.97x
Barking 4 10.41x
Cardross 4 18.63x
Dunfermline 4 6.61x
Middle Greenock 4 28.43x
Mile End Old Town London 4 2.82x
Nottingham St Mary 4 1.72x
Westminster St James 4 5.85x
Anstruther Easter 3 105.63x
Callander 3 60.98x
Dunse 3 39.27x
Higher Bebington 3 31.91x
Lumphanan 3 115.83x
Southwark Christchurch 3 9.62x
Sutton Stoneferry 3 15.91x
Welton Melton 3 155.44x
Wick 3 10.20x
Birkenhead 2 1.71x
Carmyllie 2 76.05x
Comrie 2 46.84x
Dun 2 162.60x
Dunnottar 2 35.09x
Newton On Ayr 2 13.41x
Perth St Pauls 2 28.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Jane 7
Margaret 7
Ann 5
Alice 4
Amelia 4
Elizabeth 4
Agnes 3
Annie 3
Eliza 3
Harriet 3
Martha 3
Beatrice 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Anistasia 1
Caroline 1
Catherin 1
Christina 1
Edith 1
Eleanora 1
Ethel 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Isabel 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Katherine 1
Leah 1
Maggie 1
Marian 1
Marion 1
Marriana 1
Minnie 1
Rebecca 1
Robina 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Sarah 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 11
James 8
Charles 5
George 4
Henry 4
Robert 4
Thomas 4
Andrew 3
Arthur 3
David 3
Harry 3
Patrick 3
Peter 3
Alexander 2
Alfred 2
Frederick 2
Albert 1
Edmond 1
Edward 1
Frank 1
Fred. 1
Geo. 1
Henshaw 1
Malcom 1
Thos.B. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Don surname: questions and answers

How common was the Don surname in 1881?

In 1881, 195 people were recorded with the Don surname. That placed it at #13,054 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Don surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,121 in 2016. That gives Don a modern rank of #5,256.

What does the Don surname mean?

A surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Irish word "donn" meaning "brown" or "chief."

What does the Don map show?

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