NameCensus.

UK surname

Dorsey

Derived from the French place name "Orsay," referring to someone who originated from that location.

In the 1881 census there were 190 people recorded with the Dorsey surname, ranking it #13,270 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 175, ranked #21,383, down from #13,270 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Welton and Elloughton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Newark and Sherwood and Basildon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dorsey is 214 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 7.9%.

1881 census count

190

Ranked #13,270

Modern count

175

2016, ranked #21,383

Peak year

1861

214 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dorsey had 190 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,270 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 175 in 2016, ranked #21,383.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 214 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Small Town Suburbia.

Dorsey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dorsey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dorsey 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 149 #12,967
1861 historical 214 #11,365
1881 historical 190 #13,270
1891 historical 206 #14,597
1901 historical 207 #14,803
1911 historical 200 #14,960
1997 modern 150 #21,119
1998 modern 163 #20,582
1999 modern 163 #20,698
2000 modern 161 #20,822
2001 modern 155 #21,047
2002 modern 168 #20,396
2003 modern 175 #19,690
2004 modern 174 #19,871
2005 modern 177 #19,598
2006 modern 171 #20,131
2007 modern 172 #20,321
2008 modern 166 #20,966
2009 modern 173 #20,869
2010 modern 170 #21,560
2011 modern 167 #21,642
2012 modern 188 #20,018
2013 modern 187 #20,436
2014 modern 185 #20,739
2015 modern 174 #21,449
2016 modern 175 #21,383

Geography

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Where Dorseys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Welton, Elloughton, Pocklington and St Anne Limehouse. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Newark and Sherwood, Basildon, Kirklees and Test Valley. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 Welton Yorkshire, East Riding
3 Elloughton Yorkshire, East Riding
4 Pocklington Yorkshire, East Riding
5 St Anne Limehouse London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 032 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Newark and Sherwood 006 Newark and Sherwood
3 Basildon 015 Basildon
4 Kirklees 004 Kirklees
5 Test Valley 011 Test Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dorsey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dorsey

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Small Town Suburbia

Nationally, the Dorsey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Small Town Suburbia, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Dorsey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is predominantly comprised of married couples with no resident dependent children, living in areas characterised neither by under-occupancy nor overcrowding throughout the UK in or adjacent to small towns. White ethnic groups and affiliation with Christianity predominates. Housing tends to be predominantly semi-detached or detached and workers are employed principally in managerial and professional occupations, with semi-skilled occupations also in evidence. These areas of the Supergroup are of higher population density.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Dorsey is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Dorsey is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dorsey 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 Dorsey 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dorsey

The surname Dorsey is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English words "deor" meaning "deer" and "sæte" meaning "dweller," suggesting that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a deer habitat or forest.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Doresate." This medieval census, commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded landowners and their holdings throughout England.

Over time, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Dorsett, Dorset, and Dorsey. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions and the influence of regional dialects.

In the 13th century, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a record of landholders and their holdings. The entry "Robertus de Dorsete" is mentioned, indicating the presence of the name in the region.

One notable figure with the surname Dorsey was Sir John Dorsey (c. 1470-1530), a prominent English diplomat and courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as the Sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire and was knighted for his service to the Crown.

Another prominent individual was Edward Dorsey (1646-1705), an English settler who emigrated to the American colonies in the late 17th century. He established himself in Maryland and became a prominent landowner and politician, serving as a member of the Maryland General Assembly.

In the 18th century, John Dorsey (1734-1818) was a notable American politician and jurist from Maryland. He served as a member of the Continental Congress and later became a judge on the Maryland Court of Appeals.

The name also has connections to various place names in England, such as Dorset, a county in the southwest region. The similarity in spelling suggests a potential link between the surname and the geographical location.

Thomas Dorsey (1899-1993), known as the "Father of Gospel Music," was an influential American musician and composer who helped popularize gospel music in the 20th century. His compositions, including "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," became widely recognized and influential in the genre.

Throughout history, the Dorsey surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, diplomats, landowners, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dorsey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dorsey 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. Yorkshire leads with 85 Dorseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.70x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 85 4.70x
Lancashire 21 0.97x
Middlesex 19 1.04x
Durham 8 1.47x
Lanarkshire 8 1.36x
Lincolnshire 8 2.74x
Staffordshire 8 1.30x
Essex 6 1.67x
Gloucestershire 5 1.40x
Surrey 4 0.45x
Cumberland 3 1.91x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.22x
Monmouthshire 2 1.52x
Norfolk 2 0.71x
Roxburghshire 2 6.05x
Midlothian 1 0.41x
Somerset 1 0.34x
Worcestershire 1 0.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sculcoates in Yorkshire leads with 14 Dorseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.85x.

Place Total Index
Sculcoates 14 48.85x
Holy Trinity 12 27.60x
Clerkenwell London 9 20.90x
Manthorpe Cum Little 8 358.74x
Westoe 8 26.01x
Elloughton Cum Brough 7 1250.00x
Monk Bretton 7 382.51x
Salford 7 11.00x
Glasgow 6 5.73x
Wolverhampton 6 12.67x
Ashton Under Lyne 5 10.57x
Clifton 5 27.64x
Garton On Wolds 5 1562.50x
Pocklington 5 292.40x
Beverley St Mary 4 151.52x
Halifax 4 15.07x
Hemingbrough 4 1111.11x
Islington London 4 2.26x
Mile End New Town London 4 111.11x
Welton Melton 4 754.72x
Arlecdon 3 71.77x
East Ham 3 44.91x
Everton 3 4.35x
Leeds 3 2.94x
Pickering Marishes 3 1500.00x
Shipton In Pocklington 3 1111.11x
West Ham 3 3.77x
Bedwellty 2 8.59x
Jedburgh 2 61.73x
Liverpool 2 1.52x
Merton 2 128.21x
Middlesbrough 2 8.50x
Oldham 2 2.86x
Tuxford 2 333.33x
West Walton 2 370.37x
Barmby On Moor 1 370.37x
Bothwell 1 6.25x
Castleton 1 4.63x
Caterham 1 25.45x
Chapel Allerton 1 37.04x
Cheetham 1 6.20x
Cottingham 1 25.64x
East Retford 1 46.95x
Kensington London 1 0.99x
Kings Norton 1 4.68x
Lambeth 1 0.63x
Liberton 1 26.53x
Market Weighton Arras 1 85.47x
Maryhill 1 8.66x
Sancton Houghton 1 434.78x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 1.53x
Sunbury 1 45.66x
Thornton In Pocklington 1 1000.00x
Weston Super Mare 1 13.50x
Whittington 1 79.37x
York St Martin Mklgt W 1 243.90x
York St Mary 1 13.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Ann 8
Sarah 7
Margaret 5
Elizabeth 4
Jane 4
Annie 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Agnes 2
Lucy 2
Ada 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Blanch 1
Bridget 1
Catharine 1
Catherine 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Essa 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Honora 1
Ida 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Lilley 1
Luara 1
Maria 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Rosita 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Dorsey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dorsey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 190 people were recorded with the Dorsey surname. That placed it at #13,270 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dorsey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 175 in 2016. That gives Dorsey a modern rank of #21,383.

What does the Dorsey surname mean?

Derived from the French place name "Orsay," referring to someone who originated from that location.

What does the Dorsey map show?

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