Surname Dawtry - Meaning and Origin

Dawtry: What does the surname Dawtry mean?

The last name Dawtry is of English origin. It is an occupational name derived either from work as or association with a dorter, a term used in English medieval monasteries for the room in which the monks would sleep. This occupation could involve overseeing the quarters of other monks, making beds and dormitories, and generally managing the sleeping quarters of the monastery. This name may also have been derived from the Latin word "dormitorium" meaning sleep or dormitory.

The name Dawtry is believed to have been first used in the 13th century in East Anglia and Somerset, two of the earliest recorded English counties. It was later found in other parts of England as well as Scotland, and is still used in both countries today.

The surname continues to be quite common in the English language and is still associated with the original occupations of dorter, dormitory manager, or dormitory supervisor. It is also sometimes associated with people named Porter, especially in Scotland.

The name Dawtry has a unique meaning and long history. It is still used throughout England and Scotland today, and the original occupations associated with the name remain a part of its legacy.

Dawtry: Where does the name Dawtry come from?

The last name Dawtry is not particularly common nowadays - it is not listed as one of the top thousand surnames in England and Wales according to the 2019 Office for National Statistics survey, nor is it common in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security’s 2020 statistics.

The earliest recorded bearer of the Dawtry surname was Richard de Dawtre in 1220 in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire, England. The name seems to originate from as early as 1185 with a place name - Dawtree - which was recorded in the 1186 Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire. Evidence suggests that the name was also used in pre-Conquest times as land owned by a “Dawtre” was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The name Dawtry now survives mainly in the vicinity of its origin - primarily in England and also in some parts of Ireland. The most significant numbers of people bearing the Dawtry name can be found in and around Cambridgeshire, East Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Suffolk and Lancashire. It is slightly more common in Scotland, with numbers highest in Perthshire and Angus.

In recent decades, many members of the Dawtry family have emigrated, scattering the surname in small pockets around the world, particularly Australia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand. So, while it is not overwhelmingly common, the Dawtry surname has an interesting history and is still carried by a number of families around the world.

Variations of the surname Dawtry

Dawtry is an English surname, derived from place names in the North of England and Denmark. It is believed to originate from several variants of a Middle English word meaning ‘dairy’.

Some of the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Dawtry include:

-Dawtrey

-Dawtrye

-Dawtree

-Dautry

-Dawtree

-Dobbery

-Dauberry

-Dobree

The surname Dawtry is also closely related to other surnames from Northern England and Denmark such as Dutter and Dutray. Noted historical figures bearing this surname include Francis Dawtry, a Member of Parliament for Lincoln (1572 - 1574); John Dowtry (1740 - 1795), English poet, lawyer, and gentleman of the Inns of Court; William Dawtry (1648-1702, English clergyman.

In Scotland, variations of the surname Dawtry include Dawrett, Dauthret, and D'Autret, as well as Dowtry and Dowtrey, all of which are recorded in the old parish registers of Scotland. The etymology of these surnames is believed to be from d'autre, meaning "the other". Other variants of the surname are Doherty in Ireland, Dahltry in Belgium and the Netherlands, and Dautry in France.

Overall, the surname Dawtry is one of many derivations of a word that has been in use since the Middle Ages, with many branches spread throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Dawtry

• Jodie Dawtry: British singer, songwriter and musician known for her critically-acclaimed solo album 'Wild Ride'.
• Thomas Dawtry: British actor who has appeared in a number of television and feature films, including The Farthest Shore, The Whistleblower and Divergent.
• William Dawtry: British architect, designer and urban planner who won numerous awards for his work, including the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal.
• John Dawtry: British comic book artist known for his work on the Justice League Unlimited and Young Justice series.
• Alex Dawtry: British soccer player who played in the Premier League for Aston Villa and is currently captain of Queens Park Rangers.
• Eileen Dawtry: British entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Dawtry Foundation to fund research and projects that improve the quality of life for people around the world.
• Rosemary Dawtry: British fashion designer and modern-day couturier, whose acclaimed collections have been made available in world-renowned fashion houses and stores.
• Sarah Dawtry: British journalist who is the author of six books on human rights and social justice issues, including The Unheard Voices and Living in the Shadows.
• David Dawtry: British politician who was the leader of the British Labour Party from 2002 to 2007, and served as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010.
• Benjamin Dawtry: British actor known for his comedic roles in theatre and film, including The Riot Club, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Other surnames

Dawtrey