NameCensus.

UK surname

Dutta

A surname of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "dutta," meaning "given" or "granted."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Slough and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dutta is 637 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

632

2016, ranked #8,362

Peak year

2014

637 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 632 in 2016, ranked #8,362.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Dutta surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dutta surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dutta 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 #33,412
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1997 modern 334 #12,591
1998 modern 360 #12,300
1999 modern 388 #11,696
2000 modern 381 #11,814
2001 modern 387 #11,484
2002 modern 417 #11,104
2003 modern 397 #11,316
2004 modern 423 #10,816
2005 modern 425 #10,667
2006 modern 483 #9,722
2007 modern 503 #9,524
2008 modern 536 #9,139
2009 modern 551 #9,155
2010 modern 595 #8,844
2011 modern 613 #8,539
2012 modern 625 #8,327
2013 modern 632 #8,391
2014 modern 637 #8,390
2015 modern 636 #8,338
2016 modern 632 #8,362

Geography

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Where Duttas 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 Kensington and Chelsea, Slough, Barnet and Barnsley. 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 Kensington and Chelsea 010 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Slough 004 Slough
3 Barnet 019 Barnet
4 Slough 002 Slough
5 Barnsley 020 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dutta

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dutta

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Dutta surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Dutta 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Dutta 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

Dutta 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

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

Meaning and origin of Dutta

The surname Dutta has its origins in India, tracing back to the ancient Sanskrit language. It is believed to have been derived from the word "dutta," meaning "messenger" or "envoy." This name was likely adopted by individuals who served as messengers or envoys in the past.

The earliest records of the Dutta surname can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts dating back to the 5th century BCE. It was mentioned in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, which recounts the story of a great war and the events leading up to it.

During the medieval period, the Dutta surname was particularly prevalent in the eastern regions of India, including the states of Bengal, Assam, and Odisha. Historical records from the 12th century mention Duttas serving as ministers and advisors to various kings and rulers in these regions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Dutta surname was Shri Ananta Dutta, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 15th century. He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of Bengal and is remembered for his contributions to Sanskrit literature.

Another notable figure was Pandit Iswar Chandra Dutta, a distinguished writer, educator, and social reformer from Bengal in the 19th century (1829-1900). He played a significant role in the Bengal Renaissance and advocated for the education of women and the abolition of social evils.

In the 20th century, the Dutta surname gained further recognition with individuals like Bhanu Dutta (1888-1948), a renowned writer and journalist from Assam who contributed immensely to the development of Assamese literature and language.

Nalinaksha Dutta (1919-2011), a prominent Indian freedom fighter and politician, also carried the Dutta surname. He played an active role in the Indian independence movement and served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.

Lastly, Soumitra Dutta (1944-2022) was a renowned Indian economist and professor who served as the founder and president of the Portulans Institute, a non-profit research institute focused on innovation and competitiveness.

The Dutta surname has a rich history and has been associated with various notable figures throughout the centuries, particularly in the fields of literature, education, social reform, and politics in India.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Dutta surname: questions and answers

How common is the Dutta surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 632 in 2016. That gives Dutta a modern rank of #8,362.

What does the Dutta surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "dutta," meaning "given" or "granted."

What does the Dutta map show?

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