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Dorking Family History

Dorking Surname Meaning

The name Dorkin is a variant of Dorkin, which may originate from Middle English Dorkin or as an alternative spelling from the mid-18th to 19th century of Dawkin(g).

For reference, Jacob Dawking is mentioned in 1802 in the IGI from Sheering, Essex, suggesting it could be a variant of either name.

The name Dorkin is also linked to Dorking in Surrey, and it might have persisted in forms like Dorkin, Dorkings, and Derkin.

However, it is more commonly seen as Darkin and Darkings, as noted in Darkin (2).

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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Where is the Dorking family from?

You can see how Dorking families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Dorking family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1880 and 1920. The most Dorking families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 32 Dorking families living in Essex. This was about 52% of all the recorded Dorking's in United Kingdom. Essex had the highest population of Dorking families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Dorking 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 Dorking ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Bricklayer Heavy Worker and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Dorking. 30% of Dorking men worked as a Bricklayer Heavy Worker and 78% of Dorking women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Dorking were Lorry Driver Commerci and Unpaid Domestic.

View Census Data for Dorking | 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

  • Bricklayer Heavy Worker
    30%
  • Incapacitated
    30%
  • Bricklayer (retired)
    20%
  • Lorry Driver Commerci
    20%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    78%
  • Kitchen Hand
    8%
  • Housewife
    5%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    5%

What Dorking family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Dorking. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Dorking census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Dorking

Passenger Lists

There are 154 immigration records available for the last name Dorking. 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 Dorking immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 108 military records available for the last name Dorking. For the veterans among your Dorking ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Dorking military records

You've only scratched the surface of Dorking family history

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What is the average Dorking lifespan?

Between 1977 and 2004, in the United States, Dorking life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1983, and highest in 1995. The average life expectancy for Dorking in 1977 was 75, and 69 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Dorking

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Dorking 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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