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

Dout, 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 Dout surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Dout in America

Dout is the 139757th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dout surname appeared 110 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Dout.

The history of the last name Dout

The surname Dout is believed to have its origins in France, with historical roots stretching back to the medieval period. The name is thought to have derived from an occupational or locational source, possibly relating to the Old French word "doute," which means "doubt" or "fear." This could indicate a family lineage associated with responsibilities where discernment and caution were paramount, such as judicial roles or community leadership.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Dout appears in a 13th-century French manuscript, where a Pierre Dout is mentioned as a local magistrate in the Normandy region. This indicates that the name was already established and linked to positions of authority during that time. Variations in spelling over subsequent centuries included Doute and Douts, reflecting the evolving nature of language and record-keeping practices.

In the late 14th century, the surname Dout migrated to England, likely due to the movements of families during the Hundred Years' War. One of the first recorded instances in England is the mention of Thomas Dout in a 1395 land grant document in Sussex. The migration of the name suggests that it may have been carried by families seeking new opportunities or fleeing conflict.

Throughout history, several individuals bearing the surname Dout gained prominence. Jean-Philippe Dout, born in 1652 and died in 1711, was a notable French merchant who established extensive trade connections between France and the Mediterranean. Anne-Marie Dout, born in 1720 and died in 1784, became a celebrated author in Paris, known for her collections of essays and poetry reflecting Enlightenment ideals.

In the annals of English history, Robert Dout, born in 1607 and died in 1676, served as a parliamentarian during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War. His contributions to the parliamentary committee on legal reforms were well-documented. Another notable figure is Mary Dout, born in 1823 and died in 1891, a pioneering social reformer who worked tirelessly for women's education and prison reforms in Victorian England.

In the 19th century, the surname Dout made its way to the United States, brought by immigrants seeking new beginnings. Samuel Dout, born in 1835 and died in 1904, became a prominent industrialist in Pennsylvania, contributing to the growth of the steel industry in the region.

The shifting spellings and migratory patterns of those bearing the surname Dout illustrate the adaptability and perseverance of the families who carried the name through various social and historical landscapes. The legacy left by figures such as Jean-Philippe Dout and Mary Dout highlights the surname's association with leadership, commerce, and social progress.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dout

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Dout 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.

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 Dout was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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