NameCensus.

UK surname

Dubb

A surname possibly derived from a nickname for a stout or plump person.

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Dubb surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 250, ranked #16,792, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dubb is 276 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1685.7%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

250

2016, ranked #16,792

Peak year

2010

276 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dubb had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 250 in 2016, ranked #16,792.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 44 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Dubb surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dubb surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dubb 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 20 #29,743
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1891 historical 42 #31,018
1901 historical 21 #31,686
1911 historical 27 #30,437
1997 modern 151 #21,034
1998 modern 178 #19,452
1999 modern 178 #19,592
2000 modern 165 #20,501
2001 modern 164 #20,279
2002 modern 201 #18,236
2003 modern 208 #17,685
2004 modern 218 #17,230
2005 modern 241 #16,036
2006 modern 236 #16,384
2007 modern 237 #16,571
2008 modern 240 #16,535
2009 modern 255 #16,183
2010 modern 276 #15,637
2011 modern 259 #16,237
2012 modern 241 #16,925
2013 modern 254 #16,603
2014 modern 255 #16,682
2015 modern 252 #16,705
2016 modern 250 #16,792

Geography

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Where Dubbs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Birmingham and Sandwell. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Birmingham 133 Birmingham
2 Birmingham 035 Birmingham
3 Birmingham 039 Birmingham
4 Sandwell 037 Sandwell
5 Sandwell 006 Sandwell

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dubb

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dubb

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Dubb surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Dubb household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Dubb is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dubb is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Dubb falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dubb is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Dubb

The surname DUBB has its origins in England, originating during the medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "dubb," which referred to a small pool or puddle of water. This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive surname to someone who lived near a small body of water or a muddy area.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name DUBB can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "Robert le Dubbe." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time, with the double "b" eventually becoming more standardized.

In the 14th century, the DUBB surname appeared in various locations across England, including Yorkshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. Some notable individuals from this period include John Dubb, who was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, and William Dubb, mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1334.

During the Tudor period, the name DUBB continued to be found in various records. One prominent figure was Sir Edward Dubb, a nobleman from Gloucestershire who lived in the late 16th century and was known for his involvement in local politics.

In the 17th century, the DUBB surname gained further recognition with the birth of Robert Dubb (1628-1691), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works. Another notable individual from this era was John Dubb (1655-1720), a successful merchant and landowner in Yorkshire.

As the name spread across England, it also gave rise to various place names, such as Dubb's Farm in Oxfordshire and Dubb's Field in Gloucestershire, reflecting the connection between the surname and the areas where those bearing it lived.

Throughout history, the DUBB surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergy, merchants, landowners, and noblemen. While not as widespread as some other English surnames, it has maintained a presence in various regions of the country, reflecting its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dubb families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dubb 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. Devon leads with 12 Dubbs recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.25x.

County Total Index
Devon 12 42.25x
Lanarkshire 1 2.27x
Sussex 1 4.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bideford in Devon leads with 6 Dubbs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2000.00x.

Place Total Index
Bideford 6 2000.00x
Ilfracombe 4 1379.31x
Barony 1 8.95x
Milton Damerel 1 5000.00x
Newhaven 1 526.32x
Sutcombe 1 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Fanny 2
Agnes 1
Lily 1
Rosina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Ernest 1
George 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Samuel 1

Top occupations

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 Dubb households.

FAQ

Dubb surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dubb surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Dubb surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dubb surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 250 in 2016. That gives Dubb a modern rank of #16,792.

What does the Dubb surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from a nickname for a stout or plump person.

What does the Dubb map show?

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