NameCensus.

UK surname

Dowding

An English surname derived from a Middle English word meaning "dove" or "pigeon".

In the 1881 census there were 1,271 people recorded with the Dowding surname, ranking it #3,206 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,530, ranked #4,047, down from #3,206 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Gillingham and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Blaenau Gwent and Bath and North East Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dowding is 1,729 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.4%.

1881 census count

1,271

Ranked #3,206

Modern count

1,530

2016, ranked #4,047

Peak year

1998

1,729 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dowding had 1,271 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,206 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,530 in 2016, ranked #4,047.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,622 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dowding surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dowding surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dowding 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 997 #2,806
1861 historical 786 #3,507
1881 historical 1,271 #3,206
1891 historical 1,384 #3,140
1901 historical 1,551 #3,322
1911 historical 1,622 #2,993
1997 modern 1,664 #3,571
1998 modern 1,729 #3,583
1999 modern 1,728 #3,608
2000 modern 1,682 #3,675
2001 modern 1,651 #3,663
2002 modern 1,696 #3,658
2003 modern 1,632 #3,701
2004 modern 1,613 #3,751
2005 modern 1,574 #3,785
2006 modern 1,549 #3,835
2007 modern 1,541 #3,897
2008 modern 1,534 #3,933
2009 modern 1,556 #3,980
2010 modern 1,597 #3,957
2011 modern 1,570 #3,983
2012 modern 1,507 #4,066
2013 modern 1,546 #4,041
2014 modern 1,549 #4,053
2015 modern 1,542 #4,022
2016 modern 1,530 #4,047

Geography

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Where Dowdings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Gillingham, London parishes, Mere and Bath St Michael. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Blaenau Gwent, Bath and North East Somerset, Derbyshire Dales and Boston. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Gillingham Dorset
3 London parishes London 3
4 Mere Wiltshire
5 Bath St Michael Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 004 North Dorset
2 Blaenau Gwent 007 Blaenau Gwent
3 Bath and North East Somerset 011 Bath and North East Somerset
4 Derbyshire Dales 002 Derbyshire Dales
5 Boston 001 Boston

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dowding

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dowding

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dowding, 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 Dowding surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dowding 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Dowding 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

Dowding is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dowding 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 Dowding 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Dowding

The surname Dowding is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words 'dun' meaning hill or down, and 'ing' denoting a place or people. It is believed to have originated in the southern counties of England, particularly in the region of Wiltshire and Dorset, where the name was first recorded in the 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a landowner named Alwinus de Dunninges in Wiltshire. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by the time of the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Dunning, Donning, and Downing, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling. The earliest known bearer of the surname Dowding was William Dowding, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Wiltshire in 1230.

The name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the most famous was Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding (1882-1970), who led the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in World War II. His strategic leadership and coordination of the RAF's fighter defenses played a crucial role in repelling the German Luftwaffe's aerial attacks.

Another prominent figure with the surname was Sir Gerald Dowding (1885-1969), a British civil servant and diplomat who served as Governor of Hong Kong from 1937 to 1941. He played a key role in overseeing the colony's defense during the early stages of World War II.

In the literary realm, Sir Ernest Dowding (1890-1968) was a British author and playwright known for his works on World War I. He served in the British Army during the war and later drew upon his experiences to write novels and plays, including "The Scorpion" and "The Rough Road."

The name Dowding has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Dowding Hill in Somerset and Dowding's Plantation in Wiltshire. These locations likely derived their names from early settlers or landowners bearing the Dowding surname.

While the name Dowding is not as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, including military leadership, civil service, and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dowding families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dowding 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. Middlesex leads with 171 Dowdings recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 171 1.37x
Somerset 156 7.76x
Wiltshire 143 12.95x
Gloucestershire 130 5.31x
Dorset 120 14.64x
Hampshire 92 3.59x
Surrey 80 1.31x
Worcestershire 60 3.68x
Monmouthshire 59 6.54x
Herefordshire 35 6.84x
Warwickshire 25 0.79x
Durham 24 0.65x
Staffordshire 24 0.57x
Sussex 17 0.81x
Yorkshire 16 0.13x
Essex 15 0.61x
Kent 15 0.35x
Suffolk 15 0.99x
Glamorgan 13 0.60x
Brecknockshire 12 4.81x
Channel Islands 10 2.70x
Hertfordshire 7 0.81x
Nairnshire 7 18.37x
Leicestershire 6 0.43x
Buckinghamshire 5 0.66x
Lanarkshire 4 0.10x
Devon 2 0.08x
Dumfriesshire 2 0.73x
Flintshire 2 0.60x
Midlothian 2 0.12x
Norfolk 2 0.10x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.12x
Shropshire 2 0.19x
Berkshire 1 0.11x
Cumberland 1 0.09x
Lancashire 1 0.01x
Northumberland 1 0.05x
Royal Navy 1 0.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bromley London in Middlesex leads with 31 Dowdings recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.29x.

Place Total Index
Bromley London 31 11.29x
Christchurch 28 50.46x
Birmingham 22 2.10x
Mere 21 167.46x
Monmouth 21 87.76x
Walcot 20 18.68x
Lambeth 19 1.75x
Trowbridge 19 38.93x
Martley 18 385.44x
Blaisdon 16 1818.18x
Gillingham 16 113.64x
Islington London 15 1.24x
Wincanton 15 145.07x
Kessingland 14 266.67x
Frome 13 27.04x
Longhope 13 312.50x
St George Bloomsbury 13 18.15x
St Pancras London 13 1.29x
Chippenham 12 51.81x
Holdenhurst 12 17.88x
Shelsley Kings 12 991.74x
Stoke Trister 12 666.67x
Stonehouse 12 86.21x
Warminster 12 49.59x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 11 4.77x
Chipping Sodbury 11 241.23x
Cucklington 11 956.52x
North Wraxall 11 567.01x
Penge 11 13.79x
St Marylebone London 11 1.65x
Wilton 11 140.85x
Bermondsey 10 2.69x
Buckhorn Weston 10 448.43x
Burton Upon Trent 10 10.14x
Clapham 10 6.41x
Gussage All Sts 10 558.66x
Hackney London 10 1.43x
Putney 10 17.57x
St George In East London 10 8.52x
St Helier 10 8.30x
Croydon 9 2.66x
East Stour 9 466.32x
Leyton 9 21.20x
Westbury On Severn 9 92.78x
Weston Under Penyard 9 250.70x
Bow London 8 5.03x
Coxhoe 8 75.90x
Kington Magna 8 402.01x
Newent 8 64.26x
Radstock 8 60.51x
Shoreditch London 8 1.48x
Almondbury 7 11.70x
Bedminster 7 3.71x
Bishop Stortford 7 24.35x
Colerne 7 154.53x
Hammersmith London 7 2.28x
Hilton 7 247.35x
Ibberton 7 875.00x
Ibsley 7 673.08x
Llangattock 7 34.41x
Lyncombe Widcombe 7 13.30x
Monk Hesleden 7 67.63x
Nairn 7 30.26x
Newnham 7 111.29x
Newport 7 16.26x
Nunton With Bodenham 7 551.18x
Tibberton 7 451.61x
Trevethin 7 8.21x
Twerton 7 33.77x
Upper Llanvrechva 7 49.93x
Westminster St Margaret 7 11.62x
Yeovil 7 17.14x
Deptford St Paul 6 1.83x
Eastbourne 6 6.19x
Harbridge 6 377.36x
Kensington London 6 0.86x
Kilmersdon 6 60.42x
Loughborough 6 9.55x
Old Sodbury 6 196.08x
Ynysawdre 6 170.94x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 84
John 55
Charles 43
Thomas 36
George 33
Henry 31
James 31
Alfred 25
Frederick 15
Albert 14
Walter 13
Arthur 11
Herbert 11
Edward 10
Harry 10
Frank 8
Robert 8
Francis 7
Samuel 7
Sidney 6
Daniel 5
Edwin 5
Ernest 5
David 4
Edmund 4
Joseph 4
Richard 4
Willm. 4
Fredk. 3
Fredrick 3
Willie 3
Wm. 3
Benjamin 2
Chas. 2
Christopher 2
Earnest 2
Edgar 2
Eli 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Harold 2
Henery 2
Isaac 2
Richd. 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Alfd.G. 1
Ebert 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Dowding surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dowding surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,271 people were recorded with the Dowding surname. That placed it at #3,206 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dowding surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,530 in 2016. That gives Dowding a modern rank of #4,047.

What does the Dowding surname mean?

An English surname derived from a Middle English word meaning "dove" or "pigeon".

What does the Dowding map show?

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