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

Dorsey, 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 Dorsey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dorsey in America

Dorsey is the 793rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dorsey surname appeared 43,631 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 15 people would have the surname Dorsey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dorsey 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 Dorsey

The surname Dorsey is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English words "deor" meaning "deer" and "sæte" meaning "dweller," suggesting that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a deer habitat or forest.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Doresate." This medieval census, commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded landowners and their holdings throughout England.

Over time, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Dorsett, Dorset, and Dorsey. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions and the influence of regional dialects.

In the 13th century, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a record of landholders and their holdings. The entry "Robertus de Dorsete" is mentioned, indicating the presence of the name in the region.

One notable figure with the surname Dorsey was Sir John Dorsey (c. 1470-1530), a prominent English diplomat and courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as the Sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire and was knighted for his service to the Crown.

Another prominent individual was Edward Dorsey (1646-1705), an English settler who emigrated to the American colonies in the late 17th century. He established himself in Maryland and became a prominent landowner and politician, serving as a member of the Maryland General Assembly.

In the 18th century, John Dorsey (1734-1818) was a notable American politician and jurist from Maryland. He served as a member of the Continental Congress and later became a judge on the Maryland Court of Appeals.

The name also has connections to various place names in England, such as Dorset, a county in the southwest region. The similarity in spelling suggests a potential link between the surname and the geographical location.

Thomas Dorsey (1899-1993), known as the "Father of Gospel Music," was an influential American musician and composer who helped popularize gospel music in the 20th century. His compositions, including "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," became widely recognized and influential in the genre.

Throughout history, the Dorsey surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, diplomats, landowners, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dorsey

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

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 Dorsey 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 Dorsey 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 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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