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Dingwall Family History

Dingwall Surname Meaning

Scottish: habitational name from Dingwall, a place in Ross-shire, probably named from Old Norse thing ‘parliament, assembly’.

It is believed that the name reflects the historical significance of the location as a site for gatherings and important discussions.

The combination of the two Old Norse words, thing and vǫllr, gives insight into the cultural and political practices of the Norse people.

This etymology underscores the importance of communal decision-making in Scottish history.

As a result, Dingwall holds a unique place in Scotland's heritage, representing a blend of linguistic and historical influences.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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Where is the Dingwall family from?

You can see how Dingwall families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Dingwall family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Dingwall families were found in and Scotland in 1841. In 1891 there were 44 Dingwall families living in Lancashire. This was about 24% of all the recorded Dingwall's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Dingwall families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Dingwall surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Dingwall ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Dingwall. 40% of Dingwall men worked as a General Labourer and 87% of Dingwall women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Dingwall were Motor Driver and Private Means.

View Census Data for Dingwall | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    40%
  • Builder contractor
    20%
  • Railway Clerk
    20%
  • Motor Driver
    20%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    87%
  • Incapacitated
    5%
  • Dressmaker
    4%
  • Private Means
    3%

What Dingwall family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 23,000 census records available for the last name Dingwall. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Dingwall census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Dingwall

Passenger Lists

There are 4,000 immigration records available for the last name Dingwall. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Dingwall immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Dingwall. For the veterans among your Dingwall ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Dingwall military records

You've only scratched the surface of Dingwall family history

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What is the average Dingwall lifespan?

Between 1952 and 2004, in the United States, Dingwall life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1952, and highest in 1976. The average life expectancy for Dingwall in 1952 was 27, and 80 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Dingwall

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Dingwall ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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