NameCensus.

UK surname

Duncanson

From Gaelic, meaning "son of the brown warrior" or "descendant of Duncan".

In the 1881 census there were 579 people recorded with the Duncanson surname, ranking it #6,018 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 646, ranked #8,212, down from #6,018 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Alloa, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ14, Darnley West and Mansfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Duncanson is 682 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.6%.

1881 census count

579

Ranked #6,018

Modern count

646

2016, ranked #8,212

Peak year

1901

682 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Duncanson had 579 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,018 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 646 in 2016, ranked #8,212.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 682 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Routine Occupations or Retirement.

Duncanson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Duncanson surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Duncanson 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 436 #5,639
1861 historical 461 #5,634
1881 historical 579 #6,018
1891 historical 656 #5,920
1901 historical 682 #6,407
1911 historical 153 #17,633
1997 modern 608 #8,068
1998 modern 646 #7,949
1999 modern 661 #7,845
2000 modern 644 #7,990
2001 modern 632 #7,946
2002 modern 637 #8,090
2003 modern 606 #8,261
2004 modern 629 #8,041
2005 modern 618 #8,081
2006 modern 625 #8,042
2007 modern 620 #8,149
2008 modern 625 #8,146
2009 modern 626 #8,316
2010 modern 637 #8,371
2011 modern 624 #8,425
2012 modern 629 #8,285
2013 modern 656 #8,153
2014 modern 653 #8,224
2015 modern 650 #8,196
2016 modern 646 #8,212

Geography

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Where Duncansons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Alloa, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, St. Ninians and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to IZ14, Darnley West, Mansfield, Drumry West and Glenwood South. 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 Alloa Clackmannan
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 St. Ninians Stirling
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 IZ14 East Lothian
2 Darnley West Glasgow City
3 Mansfield 002 Mansfield
4 Drumry West Glasgow City
5 Glenwood South Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Duncanson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Duncanson

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Routine Occupations or Retirement

Nationally, the Duncanson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Routine Occupations or Retirement, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Duncanson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are characterised by high proportions of single, often never-married adults of normal retirement age or older, including many that are in the most advanced age groups. Most adults are UK born and live at high residential densities, and many of the children living with parents are in adulthood. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are uncommon, but above average proportions of households include individuals that identify with different ethnic groups. Long-term disability is relatively common, and the dominant accommodation type is flats. Unemployment rates are high, with most of those employed working in routine occupations. Few individuals have high level qualifications. Car ownership is not high.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Duncanson is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Duncanson 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

Duncanson falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Duncanson

The surname Duncanson is of Scottish origin, derived from the personal name Duncan, which itself comes from the Gaelic name Donnchad, meaning "brown warrior" or "chief". The name Duncanson emerged as a patronymic, indicating "son of Duncan".

The earliest known record of the name Duncanson dates back to the 13th century in Fife, Scotland. One of the earliest documented instances of the name is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England after the Scottish Wars of Independence.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various Scottish charters and records, such as the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, which listed individuals with the surname Duncanson involved in financial transactions or holding positions of authority.

The surname Duncanson is closely associated with the Clan Robertson, one of the oldest and most prominent clans in Scotland. The Robertsons trace their lineage back to Duncan, the son of Crinan, Abbot of Dunkeld, who lived in the 11th century and was a descendant of the ancient Scottish royal line.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Duncanson was John Duncanson (c. 1585-1637), a Scottish minister and Principal of the University of Glasgow from 1635 until his death. He played a significant role in the religious and academic life of Scotland during the tumultuous period of the Scottish Reformation.

Another prominent individual was Alexander Duncanson (1683-1765), a Scottish merchant and landowner who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the capital city's highest civic office, from 1748 to 1750. He was instrumental in the development and improvement of the city's infrastructure during his tenure.

In the 19th century, Robert Duncanson (1821-1872) was a renowned African-American landscape painter, known for his realistic and detailed depictions of nature scenes. He is considered one of the most accomplished and influential African-American artists of the antebellum era.

Another notable figure was Sir James Duncanson (1825-1906), a Scottish shipbuilder and entrepreneur who founded the Duncanson & Stein shipyard in Greenock, Scotland. His company played a significant role in the development of the shipbuilding industry in the region during the Victorian era.

More recently, David Duncanson (1946-2022) was a Scottish actor best known for his roles in television series such as Taggart and Rebus, as well as in films like Trainspotting and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Duncanson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Duncanson 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 186 Duncansons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.20x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 186 10.20x
Perthshire 72 28.45x
Stirlingshire 44 21.16x
Midlothian 40 5.30x
Fife 33 9.89x
Clackmannanshire 26 55.83x
Yorkshire 25 0.45x
East Lothian 24 32.14x
Renfrewshire 18 4.12x
Lancashire 17 0.25x
Selkirkshire 17 33.33x
Ayrshire 13 3.08x
Dunbartonshire 11 7.26x
Angus 10 1.91x
Surrey 9 0.33x
Hampshire 7 0.61x
Kent 6 0.31x
Essex 4 0.36x
Pembrokeshire 4 2.23x
Durham 3 0.18x
Middlesex 2 0.04x
Warwickshire 2 0.14x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.19x
Devon 1 0.09x
Northumberland 1 0.12x
Roxburghshire 1 0.98x
West Lothian 1 1.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 70 Duncansons recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.52x.

Place Total Index
Govan 70 15.52x
Barony 60 13.00x
Glasgow 51 15.75x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 27 8.89x
Dunfermline 22 42.87x
Alloa 20 88.57x
Melrose 17 132.40x
St Ninians 17 82.48x
Tulliallan 14 326.34x
Kincardine 12 459.77x
Scarborough 12 23.64x
Kilmarnock 11 21.90x
Dunbar 10 95.51x
Everton 10 4.69x
Battersea 9 4.34x
Burntisland 8 85.74x
Kilmadock 8 137.46x
Berwick North 7 133.84x
Cardross 7 38.48x
Lymington 7 82.45x
Stenton 7 608.70x
Stirling 7 26.70x
Airth 6 227.27x
Bromley 6 20.46x
Cathcart 6 25.38x
Dunblane 6 99.01x
Dundee 6 3.08x
Edinburgh New 6 102.21x
Redgorton 6 213.52x
Tillicoultry 6 57.92x
York St Mary 6 25.93x
Callander 5 119.90x
Edinburgh Greenside 5 50.10x
Gate Fulford 5 38.31x
Liverpool 5 1.23x
Perth St Pauls 5 85.32x
Alva 4 40.32x
Bonhill 4 16.45x
Hamilton 4 7.86x
Liff Benvie 4 5.04x
Logie 4 44.05x
Paisley Middle Church 4 15.72x
Pembroke St Mary 4 17.33x
Perth Middle Church 4 42.02x
West Ham 4 1.63x
Crieff 3 31.88x
Eastwood 3 11.15x
Falkirk 3 6.16x
Kippen 3 107.14x
Monkwearmouth 3 18.68x
Caldecote 2 952.38x
Carnock 2 98.04x
Girvan 2 18.89x
Huntington 2 176.99x
Kilbarchan 2 15.07x
Kilsyth 2 15.08x
Port Of Monteith 2 87.72x
St Marylebone London 2 0.66x
West Greenock 2 2.55x
Abbey 1 1.50x
Abercorn 1 59.52x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 0.68x
Auchterarder 1 14.16x
Baldernock 1 90.91x
Belsay 1 131.58x
Dalkeith 1 6.71x
Douglas 1 19.01x
Great Crosby 1 5.48x
Larbert 1 8.05x
Lecropt 1 84.03x
Logierait 1 22.47x
Melrose 1 11.33x
Peterculter 1 27.17x
Plympton St Mary 1 14.75x
Saline 1 54.05x
South Leith 1 1.18x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 6
Thomas 4
William 4
Edward 3
Frederick 3
George 3
Henry 3
Alexr. 2
Archibald 2
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Chas. 1
Harry 1
James 1
Walter 1
Wm. 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 Duncanson households.

FAQ

Duncanson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Duncanson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 579 people were recorded with the Duncanson surname. That placed it at #6,018 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Duncanson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 646 in 2016. That gives Duncanson a modern rank of #8,212.

What does the Duncanson surname mean?

From Gaelic, meaning "son of the brown warrior" or "descendant of Duncan".

What does the Duncanson map show?

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