Dolman
A surname derived from a type of long, loose cloak or robe worn in the Middle Ages.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 788 Americans carry the last name Dolman. That puts it at #33,567 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.23 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 434,967 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Dolman surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
788
1 in 434,967
Census rank
#33,567
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
679
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 679 bearers of the surname Dolman in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 33567th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Dolman, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.0%. The next largest groups are Black (15.3%) and Hispanic (5.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Dolman
The surname Dolman originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "doel," meaning a boundary or limit, combined with the word "mann," meaning a man or servant. This suggests that the name may have referred to a person responsible for maintaining boundaries or borders.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is listed as "Doleman" in this historical document. Over time, variations in spelling emerged, including Dolman, Doleman, and Dolemannus.
In the 13th century, records show a John Dolman residing in Worcestershire, England. Another notable individual was William Dolman, born in 1572 in Worcestershire, who became a prominent theologian and served as the Rector of Pocklington in Yorkshire.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Dolman was associated with several notable figures. Thomas Dolman (1539-1599) was an English Catholic martyr who was executed for his faith during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Robert Dolman (1597-1638) was a Jesuit priest and philosopher who wrote extensively on theological and philosophical subjects.
In the 18th century, John Dolman (1711-1795) was a renowned English architect known for designing various churches and public buildings in the neoclassical style. He was also responsible for the renovation of several historic structures, including the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.
Another prominent individual was Sir John Dolman (1806-1895), a British civil engineer and railway contractor. He played a significant role in the construction of various railway lines in England and India, contributing to the development of transportation infrastructure during the Victorian era.
The surname Dolman has also been found in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and intermarriage. However, its roots can be traced back to its English origins, reflecting the rich history and linguistic influences that have shaped surnames over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Dolman
Among Census respondents with the surname Dolman, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.0%. The next largest groups are Black (15.3%) and Hispanic (5.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Dolman bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Dolman surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White76.0%
- Black or African American15.3%
- Hispanic or Latino5.9%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Unknown or suppressed1.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Dolman surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #28,326 | #33,567 | -18.5% |
| Count | 794 | 679 | -14.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.29 | 0.23 | -20.7% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Dolman bearers went from 794 to 679 (-14.5% change). The surname moved down 5,241 positions in the national ranking, going from #28,326 to #33,567.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Dolman
FAQ
Dolman surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Dolman?
The surname Dolman holds position #33,567 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 788 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Dolman surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Dolman, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.0%. The next largest groups are Black (15.3%) and Hispanic (5.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.