Find out how popular the first name Dorsey has been for the last 45 years (from 1974 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dorsey by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Dorsey is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 89% of people named Dorsey being male.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dorsey.

The history of the first name Dorsey

The given name Dorsey has its origins in the Old English language, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word 'dor', meaning door or gate, and the suffix '-ey', indicating a person or place associated with something. The name was likely initially used to refer to someone who lived near a gate or door or worked as a gatekeeper.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dorsey can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as 'Dorsai', referring to a landowner or tenant in the county of Dorset.

In the 12th century, the name Dorsey gained prominence through the de Dorsey family, a Norman noble family that settled in England after the Norman Conquest. The family name was derived from the town of Dorsey in Normandy, France, and members of the family held significant lands and titles in England during this period.

One notable figure bearing the name Dorsey was Thomas Dorsey (c. 1500-1577), an English Jesuit priest and scholar who served as a professor of divinity at the University of Oxford. He was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church during the Reformation and wrote several theological works.

In the 17th century, the name Dorsey was associated with the American colonial era. Edward Dorsey (c. 1620-1695) was an English settler who arrived in Maryland in the 1660s and became a prominent landowner and politician in the colony. His descendants played significant roles in the development of Maryland and other parts of the United States.

Another important figure with the name Dorsey was Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993), an American gospel music composer and musician known as the "Father of Gospel Music." He was a pioneer in the development of gospel music and wrote numerous influential songs, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley."

In the 20th century, the name Dorsey was also associated with the American civil rights movement. Reverend Howard Thurman (1899-1981), whose birth name was Howard Dorsey, was an influential African American author, philosopher, and theologian. He played a significant role in the early stages of the civil rights movement and was a mentor to leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Dorsey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dorsey, please contact us.

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