The name Dorsey is of English origin and is derived from the Norman-French surname "Dorset", which was originally an Old English word meaning "from Dorset". The county of Dorset in England takes its name from the Old English words "Dors" and "scir" meaning "south" and "shire" respectively, indicating that the land belonged to the south shire. The surname Dorsey is believed to have been brought to Britain by William the Conqueror in 1066 when he invaded England.
The name Dorsey has a long history and can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. It was first recorded as a family name in the Domesday Book of 1086, which is an ancient survey of England conducted by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Dorset" and refers to someone who came from Dorset or held land there.
Over time, the spelling of the name has varied, with some records showing it as Dorsey, Dorsy, Dursey, and even Doarsey. Despite these variations, the name has remained a distinctive one, associated with families who have lived in Britain for generations.
Today, Dorsey is still considered a rare and unusual name, although it has been used as a given name more frequently in recent years. It is often associated with individuals of English descent but can also be found among people from other backgrounds who appreciate its unique sound and history.
In summary, the name Dorsey is of English origin and is derived from the Norman-French surname Dorset. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and has a long history of use as both a family name and a given name. Despite variations in spelling over time, the name remains distinctive and unique, reflecting its English roots and medieval origins.
The name Dorsey has been given to a total of 817 babies born in the United States between the years 1905 and 1994, according to the statistics provided.
The number of births with the name Dorsey varied over time. The peak year for this name was 1922, with a total of 23 births. However, it's important to note that the popularity of any given name can fluctuate greatly from year to year.
After 1965, the number of babies named Dorsey started to decline significantly, with only 7 or fewer births per year between 1967 and 1994. This indicates that the name became less common during this period.
Overall, while the name Dorsey was not extremely popular in any given year, it has been consistently used as a baby name in the United States over the course of nearly nine decades.