Dors
A surname denoting someone from the French town of Dors or a nearby place.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Dors. That puts it at #127,494 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Dors 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
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#127,494
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
134
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 134 bearers of the surname Dors in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 127494th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Dors, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Dors
The surname DORS originated in England during the medieval period, deriving from the Old English word "dor," meaning a door or gate. It was likely an occupational name given to someone who worked as a gatekeeper or doorkeeper, responsible for guarding the entrance to a castle, manor, or town.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name DORS can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Dore" in this historical record, suggesting its early presence in the region.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname DORS began to spread across various parts of England, particularly in areas like Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. Some variations of the name included Dore, Dors, and Dorrs, with the latter spelling becoming more prevalent in certain regions.
One notable individual bearing the surname DORS was Sir John Dors (c. 1480-1556), a prominent English politician and courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as a Member of Parliament and played a significant role in the dissolution of the monasteries in England.
Another historical figure was Richard Dors (1573-1636), an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Arches and Master of the Faculties to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was known for his works on ecclesiastical law and canon law.
In the 18th century, John Dors (1705-1769) was a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford and the Codrington Library in All Souls College, Oxford.
During the 19th century, the surname DORS was also associated with places like Dors Hill in Oxfordshire and Dors Close in Gloucestershire, further reinforcing its geographical connections within England.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname DORS was the English actress Diana Dors (1931-1984), who was a popular sex symbol and film star during the 1950s and 1960s, often referred to as the "English Marilyn Monroe."
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Dors
Among Census respondents with the surname Dors, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%.
The bar chart below shows how Dors 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 Dors surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.0%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Dors 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #127,494 | #127,494 | 0.0% |
| Count | 134 | 134 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Dors bearers went from 134 to 134 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #127,494 to #127,494.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Dors
FAQ
Dors surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Dors?
The surname Dors holds position #127,494 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Dors surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Dors, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. 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.