NameCensus.

UK surname

Dorrian

A Scottish place name derived from the lands of Dorrain in Perthshire.

In the 1881 census there were 81 people recorded with the Dorrian surname, ranking it #22,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 708, ranked #7,645, up from #22,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Port Glasgow, Govan Combination and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenock West and Central, Braeside, Branchton, Lower Larkfield and Ravenscraig and Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dorrian is 708 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 774.1%.

1881 census count

81

Ranked #22,082

Modern count

708

2016, ranked #7,645

Peak year

2016

708 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dorrian had 81 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 708 in 2016, ranked #7,645.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 158 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Dorrian surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dorrian surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Dorrian 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 8 #31,867
1861 historical 17 #31,714
1881 historical 81 #22,082
1891 historical 104 #23,388
1901 historical 158 #17,507
1911 historical 100 #22,717
1997 modern 639 #7,763
1998 modern 666 #7,770
1999 modern 648 #7,966
2000 modern 646 #7,974
2001 modern 619 #8,092
2002 modern 670 #7,772
2003 modern 660 #7,739
2004 modern 652 #7,813
2005 modern 652 #7,751
2006 modern 651 #7,790
2007 modern 661 #7,764
2008 modern 673 #7,701
2009 modern 689 #7,737
2010 modern 706 #7,735
2011 modern 688 #7,791
2012 modern 669 #7,886
2013 modern 688 #7,838
2014 modern 704 #7,735
2015 modern 696 #7,745
2016 modern 708 #7,645

Geography

Back to top

Where Dorrians are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Port Glasgow, Govan Combination, Gateshead, Glasgow and Stranton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Greenock West and Central, Braeside, Branchton, Lower Larkfield and Ravenscraig, Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl, Stevenston Hayocks and Sutherland North and West. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Port Glasgow Renfrew
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Stranton Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Greenock West and Central Inverclyde
2 Braeside, Branchton, Lower Larkfield and Ravenscraig Inverclyde
3 Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl Inverclyde
4 Stevenston Hayocks North Ayrshire
5 Sutherland North and West Highland

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Dorrian

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Dorrian

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dorrian, 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 Dorrian surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Dorrian 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Dorrian 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

Dorrian 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

Dorrian falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Dorrian

The surname Dorrian originated in the Scottish Highlands, specifically in the area around Loch Lomond. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "doran," which means "wanderer" or "traveler." Scholars trace the roots of this name back to the 12th century, when the region was populated by clans and families with close ties to the land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dorrian can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document that lists Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Doren," which is likely an early spelling variation. Additionally, the name is mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the 14th century, indicating the family's presence in the region during that time.

The Dorrian name has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest was Alexander Dorrian, a Scottish soldier who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence against the English in the early 14th century. Records show that he was awarded lands in Argyll for his bravery in battle.

Another prominent individual bearing the Dorrian name was John Dorrian (1509-1578), a Scottish clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of the University of Glasgow. He was known for his contributions to the study of theology and his advocacy for educational reform.

In the 17th century, the Dorrian family had a strong presence in the city of Aberdeen, where several members held positions of influence. One such individual was Robert Dorrian (1625-1694), a merchant and town councilor who played a significant role in the city's governance and trade affairs.

The 18th century saw the rise of James Dorrian (1701-1779), a renowned Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Edinburgh, including the Old College and the Canongate Tolbooth. His work had a lasting impact on the city's architectural landscape.

In more recent times, the name Dorrian has been carried on by individuals like Sir Alexander Dorrian (1874-1949), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to educational institutions and charitable organizations in his native country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Dorrian families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dorrian 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. Lanarkshire leads with 27 Dorrians recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.57x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 27 10.57x
Cumberland 14 20.59x
Lancashire 12 1.28x
Durham 8 3.40x
Renfrewshire 8 13.07x
Ayrshire 5 8.46x
Yorkshire 3 0.38x
Derbyshire 1 0.81x
Norfolk 1 0.82x
Northumberland 1 0.85x
Wigtownshire 1 9.53x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 11 Dorrians recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.01x.

Place Total Index
Barony 11 17.01x
Govan 10 15.83x
Great Bolton 9 72.46x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 8 78.59x
Port Glasgow 8 270.27x
Preston Quarter 8 418.85x
Whitehaven 6 165.75x
Maybole 5 277.78x
Glasgow 4 8.82x
Lythe 3 967.74x
Chorley 2 38.02x
Dalserf 2 78.43x
Hexham 1 54.95x
Kirkcowan 1 285.71x
Kirkdale 1 6.34x
Lakenham 1 57.80x
Shipley 1 500.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Agnes 2
Fanny 2
Alice 1
Anne 1
Carrie 1
Catherine 1
Emma 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Bernard 3
John 3
Henry 2
James 2
Patrick 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Edward 1
Felix 1
Fredrick 1
George 1
H. 1
Hugh 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 Dorrian households.

FAQ

Dorrian surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dorrian surname in 1881?

In 1881, 81 people were recorded with the Dorrian surname. That placed it at #22,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dorrian surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 708 in 2016. That gives Dorrian a modern rank of #7,645.

What does the Dorrian surname mean?

A Scottish place name derived from the lands of Dorrain in Perthshire.

What does the Dorrian map show?

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