NameCensus.

UK surname

Dougall

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic elements "dubh" meaning dark and "gall" meaning stranger.

In the 1881 census there were 945 people recorded with the Dougall surname, ranking it #4,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,205, ranked #4,935, down from #4,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Grangemouth - Newlands, Mull, Iona, Coll and Tiree and Falkirk - Town Centre and Callendar Park.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dougall is 1,280 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.5%.

1881 census count

945

Ranked #4,082

Modern count

1,205

2016, ranked #4,935

Peak year

2010

1,280 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dougall had 945 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,205 in 2016, ranked #4,935.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,190 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dougall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dougall surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dougall 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 629 #4,129
1861 historical 671 #4,001
1881 historical 945 #4,082
1891 historical 1,176 #3,640
1901 historical 1,190 #4,128
1911 historical 235 #13,484
1997 modern 1,089 #5,110
1998 modern 1,131 #5,130
1999 modern 1,146 #5,126
2000 modern 1,177 #4,988
2001 modern 1,132 #5,057
2002 modern 1,135 #5,145
2003 modern 1,100 #5,181
2004 modern 1,112 #5,139
2005 modern 1,132 #5,011
2006 modern 1,127 #5,032
2007 modern 1,154 #4,972
2008 modern 1,152 #5,009
2009 modern 1,192 #4,963
2010 modern 1,280 #4,765
2011 modern 1,185 #5,039
2012 modern 1,174 #4,996
2013 modern 1,187 #5,038
2014 modern 1,205 #5,000
2015 modern 1,197 #4,982
2016 modern 1,205 #4,935

Geography

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Where Dougalls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Grangemouth - Newlands, Mull, Iona, Coll and Tiree, Falkirk - Town Centre and Callendar Park, Ashford and Grangemouth - Kersiebank. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Grangemouth - Newlands Falkirk
2 Mull, Iona, Coll and Tiree Argyll and Bute
3 Falkirk - Town Centre and Callendar Park Falkirk
4 Ashford 011 Ashford
5 Grangemouth - Kersiebank Falkirk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dougall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dougall

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Dougall surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dougall household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Dougall 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

Dougall 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

Dougall falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dougall

The surname Dougall originated in Scotland and dates back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Dougal," which means "dark stranger" or "dark foreigner." This name was likely given to someone who came from another region or had a darker complexion than the locals.

The name Dougall can be traced back to the 12th century, as it appears in various Scottish records and manuscripts from that time. One of the earliest recorded instances is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists several men with the name Dougall swearing fealty to King Edward I of England.

The Dougall surname is also linked to several place names in Scotland, such as Dougalston in Renfrewshire and Dougallston in Ayrshire. These places may have been named after early bearers of the Dougall name who settled or owned land in those areas.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Dougall Crauford is mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1359. He was a landowner and prominent figure in Ayrshire during that period.

Another historical figure bearing the Dougall name was John Dougall, a Scottish clergyman born in 1656. He was appointed as the minister of Paisley Abbey in 1693 and played an influential role in the Church of Scotland during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, John Dougall (1758-1822) was a Scottish poet and writer who published several works, including "The Modern Preceptor" and "The Caledonian Muse." He was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and his literary works were well-received during his time.

Another notable figure was James Dougall (1810-1888), a Scottish-born explorer and naturalist who traveled extensively in North America. He made significant contributions to the study of botany and zoology through his expeditions and published works.

In the 19th century, John Baptiste Dougall (1808-1869) was a prominent businessman and founder of the Montreal Witness newspaper in Canada. He played a crucial role in the development of the Canadian newspaper industry and was a respected figure in the Montreal community.

The surname Dougall has a long and rich history in Scotland, with many notable bearers of the name over the centuries. It has evolved from its Gaelic roots and has been associated with various place names, historical figures, and significant contributions in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dougall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dougall 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 254 Dougalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.64x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 254 8.64x
Stirlingshire 133 39.66x
Perthshire 96 23.53x
Middlesex 74 0.81x
Midlothian 66 5.42x
Fife 50 9.29x
Renfrewshire 32 4.54x
Angus 29 3.44x
Lancashire 25 0.23x
Northumberland 24 1.77x
Durham 20 0.74x
Dunbartonshire 19 7.78x
Clackmannanshire 16 21.31x
Caernarfonshire 11 2.99x
Wigtownshire 11 9.11x
Yorkshire 11 0.12x
Worcestershire 10 0.84x
Aberdeenshire 7 0.83x
Cardiganshire 5 2.25x
West Lothian 5 3.65x
Hampshire 4 0.21x
Kincardineshire 4 3.61x
Ayrshire 3 0.44x
Berwickshire 3 2.73x
Roxburghshire 3 1.82x
Suffolk 3 0.27x
Argyllshire 2 0.79x
Warwickshire 2 0.09x
Cumberland 1 0.13x
Denbighshire 1 0.29x
Devon 1 0.05x
Dorset 1 0.17x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.50x
East Lothian 1 0.83x
Kent 1 0.03x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.08x
Peeblesshire 1 2.34x
Surrey 1 0.02x

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 80 Dougalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.75x.

Place Total Index
Barony 80 10.75x
Govan 63 8.66x
Polmont 49 395.80x
Glasgow 46 8.81x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 36 7.35x
Dunning 27 529.41x
Denny 20 112.17x
Dundee 19 6.04x
Falkirk 19 24.21x
Kippen 19 421.29x
Dysart 18 49.67x
Lesmahagow 18 57.88x
Cadder 14 64.46x
Kinnoull 14 130.48x
Torryburn 13 560.34x
Auchterarder 12 105.36x
Westgate 12 14.32x
Dolwyddelan 11 277.08x
Duddingston 11 44.99x
Paisley High Church 11 19.61x
St Pancras London 11 1.50x
Clackmannan 10 70.47x
Crieff 10 65.92x
Enfield 10 16.76x
Poplar London 10 5.83x
Richmond 9 63.92x
Dumbarton 8 23.53x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 8 6.83x
Port Glasgow 8 23.49x
Ratcliffe London 8 15.93x
South Leith 8 5.84x
Baldernock 7 393.26x
Cambuslang 7 23.62x
Dunblane 7 71.65x
Kensington London 7 1.38x
Kings Norton 7 6.58x
Perth West Church 7 36.16x
Shoreditch London 7 1.78x
Alloa 6 16.48x
Cambusnethan 6 9.19x
Chiswick 6 12.08x
East Kilbride 6 47.66x
Kirkinner 6 120.24x
Mile End Old Town 6 4.18x
Old Kilpatrick 6 20.78x
Perth East Church 6 15.60x
Peterhead 6 13.48x
Shettleston 6 22.80x
St Ninians 6 18.05x
Stirling 6 14.19x
Coundon Grange 5 84.32x
Hulme 5 2.22x
Kilmadock 5 53.30x
Kirriemuir 5 24.06x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 5 28.11x
Paisley Low Church 5 22.42x
Stoneykirk 5 57.94x
Strathmiglo 5 77.76x
Aberystwyth 4 113.64x
Anstruther Wester 4 191.39x
Auchtermuchty 4 55.33x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.01x
Bonhill 4 10.20x
Bothwell 4 5.02x
Edinburgh Canongate 4 12.90x
Fetteresso 4 23.05x
Hammersmith London 4 1.79x
Liverpool 4 0.61x
Newcastle On Tyne St 4 5.70x
Port Of Monteith 4 108.99x
Abbey 3 2.79x
Barrow 3 106.01x
Barton Upon Irwell 3 3.69x
Byker 3 4.49x
Campsie 3 16.30x
Ferry Port On Craig 3 33.90x
Glassford 3 66.23x
Liff Benvie 3 2.35x
Moston 3 27.73x
Portsea 3 0.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Margaret 10
Elizabeth 9
Mary 7
Alice 6
Jane 6
Sarah 6
Eliza 5
Clara 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Catherine 3
Emily 3
Ann 2
Anne 2
Isabella 2
Janet 2
Louisa 2
Caroline 1
Cath. 1
Cecilie 1
Charlotte 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Hellen 1
Jeannette 1
Jessie 1
Laura 1
Lizzy 1
M. 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Martha 1
Mgt. 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Susannah 1
Wilhelmine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 15
James 14
William 11
Thomas 7
George 5
Charles 4
Robert 4
Henry 3
Alexander 2
Andrew 2
Archibald 2
Wm. 2
Adam 1
Angus 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Dougall 1
Edwin 1
F.H. 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Glasgo 1
Harry 1
Isaac 1
J.A. 1
Joseph 1
Keir 1
Leonard 1
MC 1
Norman 1
Oscar 1
Patrick 1
Theodore 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Dougall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dougall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 945 people were recorded with the Dougall surname. That placed it at #4,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dougall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,205 in 2016. That gives Dougall a modern rank of #4,935.

What does the Dougall surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic elements "dubh" meaning dark and "gall" meaning stranger.

What does the Dougall map show?

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