NameCensus.

UK surname

Dowsett

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "house by the downs".

In the 1881 census there were 1,365 people recorded with the Dowsett surname, ranking it #3,006 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,621, ranked #3,840, down from #3,006 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hedingham, Sible, London parishes and Waltham, Great. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Braintree, Suffolk Coastal and South Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dowsett is 1,902 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.8%.

1881 census count

1,365

Ranked #3,006

Modern count

1,621

2016, ranked #3,840

Peak year

1911

1,902 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dowsett had 1,365 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,006 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,621 in 2016, ranked #3,840.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,902 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Dowsett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dowsett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dowsett 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 853 #3,188
1861 historical 793 #3,473
1881 historical 1,365 #3,006
1891 historical 1,376 #3,157
1901 historical 1,721 #3,007
1911 historical 1,902 #2,606
1997 modern 1,734 #3,438
1998 modern 1,813 #3,431
1999 modern 1,821 #3,436
2000 modern 1,771 #3,511
2001 modern 1,766 #3,447
2002 modern 1,806 #3,441
2003 modern 1,711 #3,560
2004 modern 1,716 #3,552
2005 modern 1,656 #3,623
2006 modern 1,620 #3,703
2007 modern 1,614 #3,740
2008 modern 1,607 #3,777
2009 modern 1,655 #3,773
2010 modern 1,715 #3,723
2011 modern 1,692 #3,719
2012 modern 1,638 #3,760
2013 modern 1,669 #3,766
2014 modern 1,660 #3,810
2015 modern 1,641 #3,809
2016 modern 1,621 #3,840

Geography

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Where Dowsetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hedingham, Sible, London parishes, Waltham, Great and Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Braintree, Suffolk Coastal, South Kesteven and Uttlesford. 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 Hedingham, Sible Essex
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Waltham, Great Essex
5 Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Braintree 012 Braintree
2 Suffolk Coastal 014 Suffolk Coastal
3 South Kesteven 005 South Kesteven
4 Braintree 007 Braintree
5 Uttlesford 005 Uttlesford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dowsett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dowsett

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

London Fringe

Within London, Dowsett is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Dowsett is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dowsett falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dowsett

The surname Dowsett originates from England and is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. It is derived from the Old English words "dun" and "sæte," meaning "hill settler" or "one who dwells on a hill." This suggests that the name was initially borne by individuals residing in hilly or elevated areas.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the county of Suffolk, where it was particularly prevalent in the villages of Debenham and Mendlesham. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Dowsett, who was documented in the Pipe Rolls of Suffolk in 1230.

The Dowsett family played a significant role in the county's history, with several members holding positions of prominence. One notable figure was Sir William Dowsett (1545-1612), who served as a Member of Parliament for Dunwich in 1593 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1603.

Another influential member of the family was Richard Dowsett (1703-1779), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist from Ipswich. He bequeathed a substantial portion of his estate to establish the Dowsett School, which provided education to underprivileged children in the area.

While the name was predominantly concentrated in Suffolk, it also emerged in other parts of England, such as Essex and Kent. One notable bearer from Essex was John Dowsett (1628-1698), a prominent Puritan minister who served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in Dedham.

In the realm of literature, the name Dowsett is mentioned in the works of the 17th-century English poet and playwright John Dryden. In his play "The Spanish Fryar," one of the characters is referred to as "Dowsett the mercer," alluding to a textile merchant bearing the surname.

Over the centuries, the name has also been subject to various spelling variations, including Dowsett, Dowset, Dowsett, and Dowsitt. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping during earlier times.

Despite its relatively concentrated distribution, the Dowsett surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, contributing to the rich tapestry of English history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dowsett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dowsett 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. Essex leads with 543 Dowsetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.61x.

County Total Index
Essex 543 20.61x
Middlesex 358 2.68x
Surrey 192 2.95x
Kent 64 1.41x
Berkshire 30 3.00x
Yorkshire 26 0.20x
Northamptonshire 24 1.91x
Hampshire 20 0.73x
Suffolk 18 1.11x
Sussex 15 0.67x
Cambridgeshire 12 1.42x
Durham 10 0.25x
Warwickshire 9 0.27x
Lincolnshire 8 0.37x
Hertfordshire 7 0.76x
Merionethshire 7 2.87x
Derbyshire 6 0.29x
Lancashire 5 0.03x
Norfolk 3 0.15x
Royal Navy 3 1.89x
Brecknockshire 2 0.75x
Oxfordshire 2 0.24x
Staffordshire 2 0.04x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.06x
Wiltshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 61 Dowsetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.52x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 61 10.52x
Chelmsford 54 119.50x
Sible Hedingham 47 534.09x
Barking 43 55.79x
Bromley London 42 14.31x
Lambeth 37 3.18x
Prittlewell 33 90.39x
West Ham 33 5.67x
Hackney London 30 4.01x
St Pancras London 30 2.79x
Camberwell 25 2.93x
Newington 25 5.07x
Boreham 21 461.54x
Deptford St Paul 20 5.70x
Pleshey 19 1376.81x
Great Waltham 18 167.75x
Bocking 17 107.32x
Shoreditch London 16 2.77x
Westminster St John 16 9.85x
Kensington London 15 2.02x
Braintree 14 59.20x
Great Coggeshall 14 102.19x
Southwark St George Martyr 14 5.21x
Battersea 13 2.65x
East Ham 13 26.59x
Mile End Old Town London 13 4.58x
Broomfield 12 289.86x
Heybridge 12 156.66x
Rotherhithe 12 7.28x
Bermondsey 11 2.77x
Chelsea London 11 2.74x
Hammersmith London 11 3.35x
Northampton St Sepulchre 11 17.23x
New Windsor 10 29.70x
South Weald 10 44.33x
Carisbrooke 9 23.70x
Chilbolton 9 573.25x
St Marylebone London 9 1.26x
Aston 8 0.86x
Crayford 8 40.24x
Heston 8 18.05x
Leeds 8 1.07x
Streatham 8 8.08x
Gatton 7 666.67x
Great Wakering 7 118.85x
Halesworth 7 60.76x
Islington London 7 0.54x
Llanegryn 7 218.75x
March 7 24.74x
Old Artillery Ground 7 60.92x
Spittlegate 7 23.72x
Whitechapel London 7 5.32x
Broadwater 6 11.63x
Canewdon 6 182.93x
Chaddesden 6 215.05x
Colchester St Martin 6 124.74x
Cuxton 6 333.33x
Enfield 6 6.85x
Great Dunmow 6 43.70x
Hastings St Mary In The 6 12.50x
Little Yeldham 6 454.55x
Paddington London 6 1.22x
Reading St Lawrence 6 28.00x
Romford 6 14.41x
Southwark St Saviour 6 8.75x
St Clement Danes London 6 21.72x
Stisted 6 176.47x
Chipping Ongar 5 110.38x
Eldon 5 79.49x
Great Parndon 5 221.24x
Maldon All Sts 5 95.79x
Mortlake 5 17.25x
Northampton All Sts 5 11.74x
Poplar London 5 1.99x
Reading St Giles 5 5.09x
Skinningrove 5 61.65x
Springfield 5 43.33x
St George Martyr London 5 18.50x
St Luke London 5 2.34x
Messing 4 121.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 82
John 73
George 67
James 41
Charles 37
Joseph 29
Thomas 29
Henry 25
Edward 20
Alfred 18
Frederick 17
Samuel 16
Walter 16
Arthur 15
Robert 15
Harry 13
David 10
Ernest 10
Albert 8
Francis 8
Benjamin 7
Richard 7
Stephen 7
Daniel 6
Herbert 6
Frank 4
Philip 4
Fredk. 3
A.W. 2
Chas. 2
Frederic 2
Geo. 2
Percy 2
Simon 2
Willie 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Anthony 1
Danul 1
Earnest 1
F.F. 1
Fredc. 1
Fredk.W. 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
J.H. 1
J.W. 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Dowsett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dowsett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,365 people were recorded with the Dowsett surname. That placed it at #3,006 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dowsett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,621 in 2016. That gives Dowsett a modern rank of #3,840.

What does the Dowsett surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "house by the downs".

What does the Dowsett map show?

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