Dorsett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Dorsett is an ancient name dating from the times of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a person who was a good-tempered person. The surname Dorsett is derived from the Old English words douce and dowce, which mean sweet, pleasant. These words, which later became doux, were ultimately derived from the Old French words dolz and dous, which had the same meaning. As a personal name, Dorsett was often given to females and occasionally was borne by males.

Early Origins of the Dorsett family

The surname Dorsett was first found in Wiltshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Dorsett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dorsett research.

Dorsett Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person’s name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Dorsett include Dowse, Dowcett, Dowsett, Dorset, Dorsett, Dowser, Dowsey and many more.

Early Notables of the Dorsett family (pre 1700)

Notables of the family at this time include William Dowse of Collingborn; Edward Dowse (1582-1648), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1648; and Thomas Dowse.

Dorsett Ranking

In the United States, the name Dorsett is the 6,445^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [1]

 Migration of the Dorsett family to Ireland

Some of the Dorsett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Dorsett migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Dorsett were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 

Dorsett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Jon Dorsett, who landed in Virginia in 1643 [2]
• Mark Dorsett, who arrived in Maryland in 1657 [2]

 Dorsett migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Dorsett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Nancy Dorsett, aged 31, a housemaid, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship “Epaminondas” [3]
• William Dorsett, aged 24, a carrier, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship “Oriental,”

Contemporary Notables of the name Dorsett (post 1700) +

• Katie G. Dorsett (b. 1932), American politician, Member of the North Carolina Senate (2003-2010)
• Tony Dorsett (b. 1954), American actor, known for his role in Blood Equity (2009), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and Battle of the Network Stars XIV (1983)
• Emily Dorsett, American actress
• David John “Jack” Dorsett (b. 1956), American Vice President for Cyber and C4 at Northrop Grumman, retired vice admiral of the U.S. Navy
• Anthony Drew Dorsett Jr. (b. 1973), American NFL football safety, son of the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett
• Brian Richard Dorsett (b. 1961), American retired Major League Baseball player who played from 1987 to 1996
• Anthony “Tony” Drew Dorsett (b. 1954), American former NFL football running back, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame
• Martha Angle Dorsett (1851-1918), born Martha A. Angle, the first woman admitted to the bar in the state of Minnesota
• Joseph Arthur Harold “Joe” Dorsett (1888-1951), English professional footballer who played from 1908 to 1921
• George Dorsett (1881-1943), English footballer who played from 1901 to 1912, brother of Joe Dorsett