Dorsey is a surname of English origin that is derived from the Old Norse given name Þórðr, which means "thunder god." The name Þórðr is composed of the elements þór, meaning "thunder," and dr, meaning "gift." Therefore, the name Dorsey can be interpreted as "gift of Thor."
The surname Dorsey is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was brought to America by early English settlers who migrated to the New World in search of new opportunities and religious freedom.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Dorsey. One of the most famous was Thomas Roderick Dew (1790-1846), a Virginia lawyer, politician, and professor of law at the College of William & Mary. Another notable figure was John W. Dorsey (1816-1865), who served as a Union general during the American Civil War.
Today, the surname Dorsey is still carried by many individuals around the world, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. While it is not one of the most common surnames, it remains a distinctive and historic name with a rich heritage dating back centuries.
The name Dorsey has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, there was a notable fluctuation in the number of births each year with this name, ranging from as low as 6 to as high as 160.
Interestingly, the decade starting from 1910 saw a significant increase in popularity for the name Dorsey. The years 1912 and 1915 saw peaks with 51 and 94 births respectively, suggesting that these years were particularly popular for naming children Dorsey. This trend continued into the following decade, with 160 births recorded in 1916.
However, as we move towards the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Dorsey began to decline. The number of annual births fell below 50 each year from 1934 onwards, indicating that the name was becoming less common during this period.
By the late 20th century and early 21st century, the popularity of the name Dorsey had significantly decreased. From 1980 onwards, there were fewer than 30 births each year with this name, with some years even dropping below 10. The most recent data available shows that in 2018, there were only 5 births recorded for the name Dorsey.
Overall, while the name Dorsey has seen periods of popularity and decline over time, it is clear that its usage as a given name in the United States has generally decreased in recent years.