NameCensus.

UK surname

Doughty

Derived from the Middle English word "dohti," meaning brave, strong, or valiant.

In the 1881 census there were 3,807 people recorded with the Doughty surname, ranking it #1,198 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5,307, ranked #1,270, down from #1,198 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and Margate. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Kesteven, Boston and South Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Doughty is 5,585 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.4%.

1881 census count

3,807

Ranked #1,198

Modern count

5,307

2016, ranked #1,270

Peak year

2010

5,585 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Doughty had 3,807 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,198 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 5,307 in 2016, ranked #1,270.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,132 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Doughty surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Doughty surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Doughty 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 2,274 #1,295
1861 historical 2,292 #1,284
1881 historical 3,807 #1,198
1891 historical 4,009 #1,193
1901 historical 4,968 #1,135
1911 historical 5,132 #1,022
1997 modern 5,326 #1,223
1998 modern 5,556 #1,221
1999 modern 5,565 #1,231
2000 modern 5,485 #1,246
2001 modern 5,329 #1,248
2002 modern 5,514 #1,239
2003 modern 5,354 #1,240
2004 modern 5,388 #1,234
2005 modern 5,266 #1,240
2006 modern 5,315 #1,229
2007 modern 5,309 #1,235
2008 modern 5,352 #1,234
2009 modern 5,455 #1,244
2010 modern 5,585 #1,239
2011 modern 5,499 #1,243
2012 modern 5,406 #1,237
2013 modern 5,494 #1,240
2014 modern 5,449 #1,259
2015 modern 5,354 #1,266
2016 modern 5,307 #1,270

Geography

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Where Doughtys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, Margate and Barton St Peter and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Kesteven, Boston, South Kesteven and Wirral. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Margate Kent
5 Barton St Peter and St Mary Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Kesteven 005 North Kesteven
2 Boston 002 Boston
3 South Kesteven 003 South Kesteven
4 South Kesteven 005 South Kesteven
5 Wirral 027 Wirral

Forenames

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First names often paired with Doughty

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Doughty

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Doughty surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Doughty 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Doughty is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Doughty is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Doughty falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Doughty 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Doughty

The surname Doughty has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "dohtig," meaning "valiant" or "capable." The name was often given as a nickname to someone who displayed these qualities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1166, where a person named William Dohti is mentioned. The spelling of the name evolved over time, with variations such as Doughty, Doughti, and Dohty appearing in various records.

In the 13th century, the Doughty surname was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire. Some of the earliest recorded examples include Robert Doughty, who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1260, and John Doughty, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301.

The name Doughty has also been linked to certain place names in England, such as Doughty Street in London and the village of Doughty in Leicestershire. These place names may have influenced the surname or vice versa.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Doughty. One such person was Thomas Doughty (1545-1578), an English explorer who accompanied Sir Francis Drake on his famous voyage around the world. Doughty was eventually accused of mutiny and executed by Drake.

Another notable figure was John Doughty (1598-1672), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. He was appointed as the rector of Cheam in Surrey in 1625.

In the 19th century, William Doughty (1833-1917) was a prominent British businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Doughty Street Chambers in London, which became a renowned center for legal practice.

The Doughty surname has also been associated with military service. For example, John Doughty (1635-1718) was an English soldier who fought in the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession.

Finally, one of the most recent notable individuals with the Doughty surname was Charles Montagu Doughty (1843-1926), an English writer, traveler, and explorer. He is best known for his travels in Arabia and his book "Travels in Arabia Deserta," which provided valuable insights into the region's culture and geography.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Doughty families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Doughty 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. Lincolnshire leads with 417 Doughtys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.02x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 417 7.02x
Middlesex 398 1.07x
Yorkshire 373 1.01x
Staffordshire 259 2.07x
Norfolk 245 4.29x
Surrey 230 1.27x
Lancashire 228 0.52x
Warwickshire 215 2.29x
Kent 189 1.49x
Nottinghamshire 137 2.74x
Wiltshire 95 2.89x
Durham 89 0.81x
Shropshire 89 2.77x
Worcestershire 85 1.75x
Hampshire 75 0.98x
Derbyshire 70 1.20x
Cheshire 44 0.54x
Northumberland 42 0.76x
Suffolk 41 0.91x
Essex 34 0.46x
Northamptonshire 34 0.97x
Cambridgeshire 33 1.40x
Somerset 33 0.55x
Gloucestershire 28 0.38x
Midlothian 25 0.50x
Bedfordshire 24 1.25x
Cumberland 23 0.72x
East Lothian 23 4.67x
Leicestershire 23 0.56x
Sussex 23 0.37x
Berwickshire 18 4.00x
Devon 18 0.23x
Hertfordshire 18 0.70x
Huntingdonshire 15 2.03x
Berkshire 12 0.43x
Denbighshire 11 0.78x
Glamorgan 11 0.17x
Rutland 11 4.03x
Royal Navy 8 1.81x
Stirlingshire 8 0.58x
Wigtownshire 7 1.42x
Anglesey 6 0.91x
Dorset 5 0.21x
Herefordshire 5 0.33x
Oxfordshire 5 0.22x
Buckinghamshire 4 0.18x
Dumfriesshire 4 0.49x
Isle of Man 4 0.58x
Pembrokeshire 4 0.34x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 0.56x
Monmouthshire 3 0.11x
Cornwall 1 0.02x
Perthshire 1 0.06x
Renfrewshire 1 0.03x
Roxburghshire 1 0.15x
West Lothian 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 97 Doughtys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.11x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 97 3.11x
Margate St John Baptist 57 24.56x
Camberwell 54 2.28x
Aston 48 1.86x
Barton St Mary 44 147.65x
Nottingham St Mary 40 3.09x
Kensington London 39 1.89x
Lambeth 39 1.20x
St Pancras London 37 1.24x
Portsea 34 2.28x
Wolverhampton 32 3.32x
Hackney London 31 1.49x
Broseley 29 50.84x
Whitby 29 23.37x
St Marylebone London 28 1.41x
Rushall 27 36.58x
Ramsgate 26 12.56x
Bilston 25 10.29x
Bermondsey 24 2.17x
Blackburn 24 2.05x
Great Grimsby 24 6.36x
Mile End Old Town London 24 3.03x
Everton 23 1.64x
St George Hanover Square 23 3.51x
Bethnal Green London 22 1.36x
Leeds 22 1.06x
Newington 22 1.60x
Staveley 22 21.31x
West Ham 22 1.36x
Wood Norton 21 581.72x
Gainsborough 20 14.28x
Great Yarmouth 20 4.23x
Poplar London 20 2.85x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 20 23.93x
Dudley 19 3.22x
Holy Trinity 18 2.03x
Penkridge 18 55.66x
Bishops Tachbrook 17 224.27x
Shoreditch London 17 1.06x
Tipton 17 4.43x
Boston 16 8.88x
Clerkenwell London 16 1.82x
Holt 16 81.97x
Islington London 16 0.44x
Kirkdale 16 2.16x
Stockton On Tees 16 3.00x
Worsley 16 5.89x
Wylye 16 255.59x
Liverpool 15 0.56x
Barton St Peter 14 51.41x
Kingston On Thames 14 3.22x
Bayards Leap 13 209.00x
East Leake 13 108.15x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 13 2.72x
Sculcoates 13 2.23x
Sharnbrook 13 122.07x
Toxteth Park 13 0.87x
Winterton 13 63.73x
Brighton 12 0.95x
Bromley London 12 1.47x
Burgh In Marsh 12 82.93x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 12 0.60x
Hougham 12 15.92x
Norwich St James 12 26.77x
Shifnal 12 13.77x
York St Cuthbert 12 35.61x
Downham Market 11 28.03x
Folkestone 11 4.47x
Gotham 11 84.29x
Manchester 11 0.55x
Sedgley 11 2.36x
Southwark St George Martyr 11 1.47x
St Maryle Wigford 11 23.83x
Steeple Langford 11 165.41x
Alverstoke 10 3.63x
Heigham 10 3.26x
Paddington London 10 0.73x
Southampton All Sts 10 7.65x
St Mark Lincoln 10 78.86x
Stockton 10 325.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 257
Elizabeth 154
Sarah 143
Ann 81
Emma 64
Jane 63
Eliza 61
Alice 59
Annie 54
Ellen 54
Emily 44
Hannah 38
Harriet 37
Margaret 36
Louisa 35
Martha 34
Florence 25
Maria 25
Fanny 24
Ada 21
Caroline 19
Lucy 19
Agnes 18
Clara 17
Catherine 16
Edith 16
Charlotte 15
Kate 15
Anne 14
Susannah 13
Gertrude 12
Rose 12
Amelia 11
Elizth. 11
Frances 11
Jessie 11
Harriett 10
Amy 9
Rebecca 9
Beatrice 8
Betsy 8
Esther 8
Susan 8
Anna 7
Helen 7
Isabella 7
Julia 7
Lizzie 7
Minnie 7
Ruth 7

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 232
John 219
George 134
Thomas 124
James 107
Henry 87
Charles 72
Edward 66
Robert 60
Joseph 55
Alfred 37
Richard 37
Arthur 33
Samuel 32
Frederick 29
Harry 23
Walter 22
Wm. 19
Albert 15
Herbert 15
Thos. 15
Frank 12
Benjamin 11
Ernest 11
David 10
Francis 10
Geo. 10
Michael 10
Tom 8
Daniel 6
Fred 6
Isaac 6
Patrick 6
Chas. 5
Edwd. 5
Edwin 5
Fredk. 5
Job 5
Martin 5
Richd. 5
Christopher 4
Edgar 4
Lewis 4
Fredrick 3
Leonard 3
Miles 3
Reuben 3
Roland 3
Sidney 3
Stephen 3

FAQ

Doughty surname: questions and answers

How common was the Doughty surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,807 people were recorded with the Doughty surname. That placed it at #1,198 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Doughty surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5,307 in 2016. That gives Doughty a modern rank of #1,270.

What does the Doughty surname mean?

Derived from the Middle English word "dohti," meaning brave, strong, or valiant.

What does the Doughty map show?

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