This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Dorter family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Dorter Family History

Dorter Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Porter, Dormer, Doster, Horter, Dorer, Morter, Sorter, Dokter, Dorner

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Dorter family from?

You can see how Dorter families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Dorter family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1861 and 1920. The most Dorter families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1891 there were 5 Dorter families living in Derbyshire. This was about 83% of all the recorded Dorter's in United Kingdom. Derbyshire had the highest population of Dorter families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Dorter surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Dorter ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Clerk were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Dorter. 30% of Dorter men worked as a Laborer and 20% of Dorter women worked as a Clerk. Some less common occupations for Americans named Dorter were Salesman and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Dorter | 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.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    30%
  • Farmer
    16%
  • Clerk
    8%
  • Salesman
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Clerk
    20%
  • Teacher
    20%
  • Seamstress
    16%
  • Housekeeper
    12%

What Dorter family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Dorter. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Dorter census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Dorter

Passenger Lists

There are 254 immigration records available for the last name Dorter. 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 Dorter immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 92 military records available for the last name Dorter. For the veterans among your Dorter ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Dorter military records

You've only scratched the surface of Dorter family history

Discover More

What is the average Dorter lifespan?

Between 1967 and 1996, in the United States, Dorter life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1981, and highest in 1979. The average life expectancy for Dorter in 1967 was 75, and 82 in 1996.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Dorter

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Dorter 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.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Dorter family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial