NameCensus.

UK surname

Dunham

From the Old English for "homestead on a hill" or "village by a hill."

In the 1881 census there were 1,531 people recorded with the Dunham surname, ranking it #2,741 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,682, ranked #3,720, down from #2,741 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, London parishes and Haynes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Fenland and Broadland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dunham is 2,019 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.9%.

1881 census count

1,531

Ranked #2,741

Modern count

1,682

2016, ranked #3,720

Peak year

1911

2,019 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dunham had 1,531 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,741 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,682 in 2016, ranked #3,720.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,019 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Dunham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dunham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dunham 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 1,046 #2,678
1861 historical 1,104 #2,543
1881 historical 1,531 #2,741
1891 historical 1,644 #2,729
1901 historical 1,859 #2,830
1911 historical 2,019 #2,466
1997 modern 1,760 #3,396
1998 modern 1,788 #3,466
1999 modern 1,782 #3,509
2000 modern 1,750 #3,553
2001 modern 1,721 #3,534
2002 modern 1,752 #3,556
2003 modern 1,704 #3,574
2004 modern 1,700 #3,582
2005 modern 1,655 #3,626
2006 modern 1,641 #3,658
2007 modern 1,654 #3,661
2008 modern 1,640 #3,719
2009 modern 1,706 #3,653
2010 modern 1,714 #3,727
2011 modern 1,691 #3,723
2012 modern 1,645 #3,748
2013 modern 1,689 #3,727
2014 modern 1,710 #3,697
2015 modern 1,697 #3,693
2016 modern 1,682 #3,720

Geography

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Where Dunhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, London parishes, Haynes, Luton and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Fenland, Broadland and East Lindsey. 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 Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth Cambridgeshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Haynes Bedfordshire
4 Luton Bedfordshire
5 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 011 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Fenland 007 Fenland
3 Broadland 008 Broadland
4 East Lindsey 004 East Lindsey
5 Broadland 015 Broadland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dunham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dunham

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Dunham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Dunham household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Dunham is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dunham 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

Dunham 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 Dunham 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 Dunham, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dunham

The surname Dunham has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from a place name, derived from the Old English words "dun" meaning hill or down, and "ham" meaning homestead or village. This suggests that the name may have referred to someone who lived in a homestead situated on or near a hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Dunham" in various counties across England, such as Norfolk, Essex, and Buckinghamshire. This indicates that the name was already well-established by the time of the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "Doneham," "Dunham," and "Dunnam," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that period. Records from this time show individuals bearing the name Dunham living in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk.

One notable historical figure with the surname Dunham was John Dunham, born around 1589 in Leiden, Netherlands. He was one of the early Puritan settlers of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, arriving on the ship Mayflower in 1620. His descendants went on to become prominent figures in American history.

Another significant individual was Josiah Dunham, born in 1692 in Woodbridge, New Jersey. He was a renowned clockmaker and silversmith, known for his intricate and highly sought-after works of art. His clocks and silverware are now considered valuable antiques and can be found in various museums and private collections.

In the literary world, the name is associated with Samuel Astley Dunham, born in 1800 in England. He was a prolific writer and editor, known for his works on history, literature, and travel. One of his most notable publications was "The History of Spain and Portugal," a comprehensive account of the Iberian Peninsula.

The name Dunham has also been linked to several notable military figures. One such individual was Cyrus Dunham, born in 1779 in Connecticut. He served as a brigadier general in the United States Army during the War of 1812 and played a crucial role in the defense of Fort Erie.

Another noteworthy bearer of the surname was Mary Dunham, born in 1890 in New York. She was a pioneering aviator and one of the first women to obtain a pilot's license in the United States. Her achievements paved the way for many women in the field of aviation.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dunham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dunham 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. Norfolk leads with 199 Dunhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.70x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 199 8.70x
Bedfordshire 167 21.68x
Lincolnshire 149 6.26x
Middlesex 145 0.97x
Cambridgeshire 125 13.27x
Surrey 119 1.64x
Hertfordshire 100 9.75x
Yorkshire 92 0.62x
Dorset 82 8.40x
Lancashire 66 0.37x
Kent 46 0.91x
Northamptonshire 45 3.22x
Somerset 23 0.96x
Essex 22 0.75x
Buckinghamshire 20 2.22x
Huntingdonshire 18 6.09x
Suffolk 14 0.77x
Devon 11 0.36x
Staffordshire 11 0.22x
Warwickshire 9 0.24x
Berkshire 7 0.63x
Northumberland 7 0.32x
Westmorland 7 2.14x
Derbyshire 5 0.21x
Durham 5 0.11x
Worcestershire 5 0.26x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.20x
Wiltshire 4 0.30x
Cheshire 3 0.09x
Glamorgan 3 0.12x
Hampshire 2 0.07x
Oxfordshire 2 0.22x
Sussex 2 0.08x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.17x
Cumberland 1 0.08x
Leicestershire 1 0.06x
Midlothian 1 0.05x
Monmouthshire 1 0.09x
Rutland 1 0.92x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hawnes in Bedfordshire leads with 40 Dunhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 840.34x.

Place Total Index
Hawnes 40 840.34x
Luton 36 27.00x
Manea 32 538.72x
Bridport 31 154.23x
Camberwell 28 2.95x
Wheathampstead 27 227.85x
Holy Trinity 26 7.33x
Lakenham 26 80.00x
Bedford St Paul 23 43.54x
Croydon 23 5.72x
Hatfield 21 101.01x
Doddington 20 289.02x
Islington London 19 1.32x
Upton Cum Chalvey 19 53.01x
St Albans 18 85.67x
Witchford 18 800.00x
Acton 17 19.49x
Allington 17 195.18x
Toddington 17 153.99x
Hackney London 15 1.80x
Richmond 15 14.77x
Wimblington 15 269.78x
Chatteris 14 58.24x
Spotland 14 7.13x
Silsoe 13 375.72x
Toxteth Park 13 2.17x
Bedford St Peter 12 59.97x
Easton 12 937.50x
North Somercotes 12 192.62x
Oundle 12 76.73x
St George Hanover Square 12 4.58x
Aylsham 11 80.76x
Broughton In Salford 11 6.81x
Erith 11 22.00x
Erpingham 11 594.59x
Meppershall 11 277.78x
Newington 11 2.00x
Kirkby Upon Bain 10 751.88x
Leeds 10 1.20x
Whitlingham 10 2777.78x
Wimbotsham 10 343.64x
Aston 9 0.87x
Kimpton 9 187.11x
Lympston 9 162.75x
Newington 9 22.17x
Northampton St Giles 9 16.89x
Oulton 9 147.06x
Powerstock 9 215.31x
St Marylebone London 9 1.13x
Swanscombe 9 39.47x
Walsall Foreign 9 3.47x
Battersea 8 1.46x
Burton Bradstock 8 165.98x
Calcethorpe 8 1081.08x
Combe St Nicholas 8 138.17x
Coveney 8 322.58x
Heigham 8 6.52x
Honingham 8 457.14x
Horncastle 8 32.59x
Horsey 8 792.08x
Lambeth 8 0.62x
Northampton All Sts 8 16.85x
Norwich St Benedict 8 78.51x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 8 53.91x
Paddington London 8 1.46x
South Elkington 8 441.99x
West Ham 8 1.23x
Baldock 7 72.61x
Dunstable 7 29.57x
East Ardsley 7 54.82x
Kendal 7 11.70x
Longbenton 7 7.47x
Loughton 7 48.21x
Scawby 7 89.06x
Sculcoates 7 3.00x
Streatham 7 6.34x
Wardleworth 7 6.94x
Barnsley 6 3.95x
Bixley 6 740.74x
Great Grimsby 6 3.97x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 102
John 76
George 57
Charles 43
James 35
Thomas 33
Henry 28
Robert 27
Joseph 22
Alfred 20
Samuel 20
Arthur 17
Frederick 17
David 13
Herbert 11
Edward 10
Albert 9
Benjamin 8
Walter 8
Harry 7
Daniel 6
Isaac 5
Richard 5
Chas. 4
Abraham 3
Ebenezer 3
Edmund 3
Ernest 3
Fisher 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Fred 3
Horace 3
Jeremiah 3
Levi 3
Sidney 3
Tom 3
Barrel 2
Edwin 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Infield 2
Jesse 2
Joshua 2
Philip 2
R. 2
Reuben 2
Willie 2
Wm. 2
Wm.Robt. 1

FAQ

Dunham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dunham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,531 people were recorded with the Dunham surname. That placed it at #2,741 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dunham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,682 in 2016. That gives Dunham a modern rank of #3,720.

What does the Dunham surname mean?

From the Old English for "homestead on a hill" or "village by a hill."

What does the Dunham map show?

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