UK surname
Derived from the Gaelic surname "Ó Dubhda," meaning "descendant of Dubhda," a personal name meaning "black" or "dark."
In the 1881 census there were 151 people recorded with the Doud surname, ranking it #15,419 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 33, ranked #35,829, down from #15,419 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Halifax and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Doud is 212 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.1%.
1881 census count
151
Ranked #15,419
Modern count
33
2016, ranked #35,829
Peak year
1851
212 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Doud surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Doud surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 212 | #9,965 |
| 1861 | historical | 164 | #14,188 |
| 1881 | historical | 151 | #15,419 |
| 1891 | historical | 102 | #23,719 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 60 | #26,808 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 28 | #35,053 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 24 | #35,498 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 30 | #34,950 |
| 2003 | modern | 30 | #35,046 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 27 | #35,588 |
| 2006 | modern | 31 | #35,467 |
| 2007 | modern | 27 | #35,876 |
| 2008 | modern | 29 | #35,808 |
| 2009 | modern | 29 | #35,922 |
| 2010 | modern | 28 | #36,084 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 30 | #35,929 |
| 2013 | modern | 31 | #35,927 |
| 2014 | modern | 31 | #35,953 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 33 | #35,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Halifax, Newcastle All Saints, Edinburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 2 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Doud surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Doud, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Doud surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Doud household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Doud is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Doud is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Doud, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname DOUD is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "dudd," which meant "a garment of coarse cloth." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname for those involved in the production or trade of such garments.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. In the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, there is a mention of a Willelmus Dudde, while the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire from 1316 list a Robert Dud.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Doud, who was recorded as a resident of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in the late 15th century. This town was also the birthplace of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare, lending a literary connection to the surname.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as Doud, Dowd, and Doudd, reflecting the fluidity of spelling practices during that time. One notable individual was Thomas Doud, a landowner in Gloucestershire, who was mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1545.
The 17th century saw the emergence of several noteworthy individuals with the DOUD surname. One such person was John Doud (1598-1673), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Brightwell Baldwin in Oxfordshire. Another was William Doud (1622-1688), a merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire, whose estate was recorded in the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1672.
In the 18th century, the surname gained prominence in various parts of England. Richard Doud (1720-1795) was a prominent lawyer and judge from Lincolnshire, while James Doud (1745-1820) was a successful merchant and ship owner based in Bristol.
As the name spread across different regions, it also gave rise to various place names associated with the surname. For instance, Doudville was a small hamlet in Gloucestershire, while Doudsmoor was a locality in Derbyshire, both of which likely derived their names from early DOUD inhabitants or landowners.
Throughout history, the DOUD surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including academics, artists, and military figures, further contributing to its rich and diverse legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Doud surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 52 Douds recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.98x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 52 | 2.98x |
| Durham | 24 | 5.48x |
| Cheshire | 15 | 4.61x |
| Yorkshire | 14 | 0.96x |
| Midlothian | 13 | 6.59x |
| Dunbartonshire | 7 | 17.69x |
| Northumberland | 7 | 3.19x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 0.63x |
| Renfrewshire | 3 | 2.63x |
| Angus | 2 | 1.47x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 0.87x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 0.85x |
| Stirlingshire | 2 | 3.68x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 0.91x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 1.80x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.20x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.07x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.20x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton In Makerfield in Lancashire leads with 15 Douds recorded in 1881 and an index of 301.20x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Doud surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Doud surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Doud households.
FAQ
In 1881, 151 people were recorded with the Doud surname. That placed it at #15,419 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 33 in 2016. That gives Doud a modern rank of #35,829.
Derived from the Gaelic surname "Ó Dubhda," meaning "descendant of Dubhda," a personal name meaning "black" or "dark."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Doud bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.