Find out how popular the last name Dolson is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Dolson.

Dolson, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Dolson surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dolson in America

Dolson is the 19062nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dolson surname appeared 1,428 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Dolson.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dolson to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Dolson

The surname Dolson has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "dol" meaning "valley" and "son" denoting "son of." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to individuals who lived in or were associated with a particular valley.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Dolson can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Dol-sone," indicating its early existence and geographic ties.

In the 13th century, records show various spellings of the name, including "Dolsoun," "Dolsoune," and "Dolson," reflecting the evolution of the English language and regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions.

One notable figure bearing the Dolson surname was John Dolson, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the village of Dolston, Cambridgeshire, in the late 14th century. Historical documents reveal that he played a significant role in the local community and was a respected figure in his time.

During the 16th century, the Dolson family expanded their presence across England, with branches settling in various counties. One prominent member was William Dolson (1542-1619), a wealthy landowner and magistrate in the county of Norfolk. His descendants continued to hold influential positions in the region for several generations.

In the 17th century, the Dolson name gained further recognition with the birth of Thomas Dolson (1622-1697), a scholar and clergyman who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. His writings and sermons were widely circulated and contributed to the intellectual discourse of the time.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Dolson (1678-1748), a pioneering businesswoman who established a successful textile trade in the city of London. Her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen paved the way for future generations of women in commerce.

As the centuries progressed, the Dolson surname continued to be associated with various professions and areas of influence, including academia, politics, and the arts. One such individual was Samuel Dolson (1832-1911), a renowned painter and illustrator whose works captured the landscapes and rural life of Victorian England.

Throughout its history, the surname Dolson has maintained a strong presence in various parts of England, with concentrations found in counties like Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. While the name has also spread to other parts of the world through migration, its roots remain firmly grounded in the English countryside and the medieval era.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dolson

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Dolson.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Dolson was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Dolson has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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