UK surname
An English occupational surname derived from the Old English word "deor" meaning "wild animal."
In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Dyar surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 13, ranked #37,278, down from #31,914 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Glossop, Dalziel and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dyar is 101 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8.3%.
1881 census count
12
Ranked #31,914
Modern count
13
2016, ranked #37,278
Peak year
1861
101 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dyar surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dyar surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 44 | #25,328 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 12 | #31,914 |
| 1891 | historical | 35 | #31,540 |
| 1901 | historical | 24 | #31,365 |
| 1911 | historical | 5 | #33,427 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 8 | #37,367 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 12 | #37,307 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 13 | #37,251 |
| 2016 | modern | 13 | #37,278 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Glossop, Dalziel, Edinburgh, St Leonard Bromley and Dean. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glossop | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Dalziel | Lanark |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | St Leonard Bromley | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | Dean | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dyar surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dyar, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Dyar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dyar household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Dyar is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dyar is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dyar, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname DYAR is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the early medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "deor," which translates to "deer" or "wild animal." The name likely originated as an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as a hunter or deerstalker.
In the Domesday Book, a renowned survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are records of individuals with the surname DYAR or similar spellings, such as "Dyer" or "Deare." These early examples demonstrate the name's longstanding presence in English history.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname DYAR was Sir John Dyar, a prominent English landowner and knight who lived during the late 13th and early 14th centuries. He held significant estates in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire and played a role in the conflicts between King Edward II and his barons.
In the 15th century, the DYAR surname was associated with the village of Dyrham in Gloucestershire, which was once known as "Dyar's Homm" or "Dyar's Ham," suggesting a connection to an early bearer of the name who may have resided or held land in that area.
Another notable figure was Sir Lewis Dyar, who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. He was a member of Parliament and served as a High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1592.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Colonel William Dyar fought on the Parliamentarian side and was known for his roles in several battles, including the Siege of Colchester in 1648.
In the realm of literature, the name DYAR is associated with Sir Thomas Dyar, an English poet and scholar who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was renowned for his translations of classical works and his contributions to the development of English poetry.
These are just a few examples of individuals bearing the surname DYAR who left their mark on English history and culture over the centuries, demonstrating the rich heritage and significance of this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dyar surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Dorset leads with 4 Dyars recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.15x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dorset | 4 | 52.15x |
| Shropshire | 3 | 29.70x |
| Somerset | 3 | 15.95x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 6.39x |
| Montgomeryshire | 1 | 37.31x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oborne in Dorset leads with 4 Dyars recorded in 1881 and an index of 40000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Oborne | 4 | 40000.00x |
| Bedminster | 3 | 169.49x |
| Oswestry Town | 3 | 937.50x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 15.87x |
| Pool | 1 | 500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dyar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Dyar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Dyar households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Ag Laborer | 1 |
| Builder Emp 4 Men 2 Boys | 1 |
| Glover (Kid) | 1 |
| Housekeeper (Dom) | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Masons Lab | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Dyar surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 13 in 2016. That gives Dyar a modern rank of #37,278.
An English occupational surname derived from the Old English word "deor" meaning "wild animal."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dyar bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.