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    • Main contributor: James L. Tanner
    Monsal Dale from railway station Derbyshire England.

    Derbyshire, a county located in the East Midlands region of England, is renowned for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Bordering Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, Derbyshire offers a unique blend of rural charm and urban sophistication.[1] With an area of area 1,029 square miles, or 658,803 statute acres. Derbyshire is a relatively large county.[2] The largest town is Derby, with a population of 263,490 in 2022.[3]

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    Derbyshire landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractionsDerbyshire landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions

    Derbyshire's landscape is characterized by its dramatic contrast between the rugged Peak District National Park in the north and the rolling hills and fertile valleys of the south. The Peak District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its stunning moorlands, limestone cliffs, and picturesque villages.  

    Derbyshire has a long history of industrial activity, primarily centered around mining, manufacturing, and engineering. In the past, the county was a major producer of coal, lead, and iron. Today, while mining has declined, Derbyshire's economy continues to be supported by manufacturing industries, as well as tourism, agriculture, and services. Derbyshire is home to over 29,700 businesses that employ around 293,000 people. The area has significant strengths in the advanced manufacturing sector, with a number of world class companies such as Toyota, Rolls Royce, JCB and Bombardier choosing to locate and invest in the county and its surrounding area.[4]

    Agriculture has been an important part of Derbyshire's economy for centuries. The county's fertile valleys and rolling hills provide ideal conditions for farming. Dairy farming, livestock rearing, and arable farming are among the main agricultural activities in Derbyshire.[5]

    Derbyshire is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic Peak District National Parka popular destination for hiking, climbing, and cycling.[6] The county is also home to numerous historic houses and gardens, including Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, and Hardwick Hall. Other notable attractions include the Peak District Mining Museum, the Derbyshire County Cricket Club, and the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Works.   

    Derbyshire historyDerbyshire history

    Early settlements found in the Peak District, with evidence of Bronze Age agriculture and hut circles.[7] The Peak District is located between Manchester and Sheffield in the central part of England. Romans established forts at strategic locations like Derby (Derventio), Chesterfield, and Buxton (Roman name Aquae Arnemetiae), primarily due to the area's rich lead deposits.[1] Following the Roman withdrawal, the Anglo-Saxons settled in Derbyshire,[8] with the Peak District being divided into different administrative areas under King Aethelred the Unready, eventually forming the county of Derbyshire.[9]

    In 1066, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invaded England and defeated the Anglo-Saxon king, Harold II, in the Battle of Hastings.[10] This marked the beginning of the Norman Conquest and the end of the Anglo-Saxon era. The Normans brought their own language and culture, merging it with the existing Anglo-Saxon society to create a new English identity.[11] Several Brough families of Staffordshire controlled substantial properties in Derbyshire in the 1600s.[12] In the late 16th century, smelting mills in Derbyshire used bellows driven by foot or water power to smelt lead ore. The mills were fueled by "white coal," which was kiln-dried branch wood.[13]

    The Industrial Revolution brought about the development of textile mills in the Derbyshire valleys, leading to increased population and urbanization.[1] The Industrial Revolution brought about the development of textile mills in the Derbyshire valleys, leading to increased population and urbanization. In the 19th Century coal mining became a major industry in the eastern and southern parts of the county, contributing to further economic growth.[14]

    In the 20th Century, the decline of traditional industries like coal mining and textiles led to economic diversification, with a focus on tourism and service sectors.[6]

    Derbyshire parishes and unparished areasDerbyshire parishes and unparished areas

    Parish and town councils (sometimes called civil parishes) are one of the 3 tiers of local government, along with the county and district, borough or city councils. There are 204 parish and town councils in Derbyshire.[15]

    Derbyshire geographyDerbyshire geography

    Derbyshire is a midland county of England, having Yorkshire on the north, Nottingham on the east, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire on the south and Staffordshire and Cheshire on the west. The length of the county,north and south, is 52 miles The greatest breadth is 85 miles and the average breadth is 20 miles. The area of Derbyshire is 658,624 acres and the population is approximately 461,914. The surface in the south is either flat or undulating, irregular in the middle and northeast and mountainous in the NW. or Peak district. The principal rivers are the Trent, Derwent, Dove, and Wye; river communication is supplemented by the Erewash and Grand Trunk Canals. The road and railway systems are highly developed. The soil in the Vale of the Trent is alluvial and very productive. In the hilly districts the land is mostly in pasture; much of it is rocky and unproductive. Oats, barley, potatoes, and wheat are cultivated; and there are many excellent dairy-farms.[16]

    Researching family history in DerbyshireResearching family history in Derbyshire

    The Derbyshire County Council has a helpful webpage about Family History. The main family history collection for the county is kept at the local studies library in the Derbyshire Record Office. The GENUKI page for Derbyshire has an extensive list of the links to genealogical resources. FreeReg is a volunteer website that provides free internet searches of baptism, marriage, and burial records. The National Archives has extensive records from Derbyshire.

    Ethnicities in DerbyshireEthnicities in Derbyshire

    The demographic distribution of the Derbyshire population is as follows:[17]

    According to the 2011 Census, 80.2% of the population is white. Breaking down the population further, 12.6% of Derby’s population is Asian, 3.0% is Black British, 2.9% is Mixed, and 1.3% identify as another race. Per census data, 5.9% of the population is comprised of the Pakistani community. The black and minority ethnic population increased significantly between the censuses taken in 2001 and 2011, jumping to almost one-quarter of the people. The population grew nearly 8% during the same ten-year period. There was also a significant increase in the number of people in the 20 to 29 year demographic, increasing by 5,500 people between the two censuses. Almost 14% of the people who reside in Derby were born outside of the United Kingdom.

    Surnames in DerbyshireSurnames in Derbyshire

    The demographic distribution of Derbyshire surnames is as follows:[18]

    Surname Incidence Frequency
    Smith 15,357 1:67
    Taylor 7,093 1:146
    Brown 6,201 1:167
    Jones 6,067 1:171
    Walker 4,875 1:213
    Wright 4,587 1:226
    Johnson 4,583 1:226
    Wilson 4,216 1:246
    Hall 4,205 1:246
    Clarke 3,981 1:260

    Explore more about English CountiesExplore more about English Counties

    MyHeritage.com has 351 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a huge variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.

    See alsoSee also

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Derbyshire | England, Map, History, & Facts | Britannica
    2. ↑ Genuki: DERBYSHIRE, England - History and Description, 1868, Derbyshire
    3. ↑ How life has changed in Derby: Census 2021
    4. ↑ Businesses - Derbyshire Observatory
    5. ↑ The Challenges Faced by Farmers | Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Derbyshire and the Peak District history
    7. ↑ The Prehistory of the Peak District: A Comprehensive Journey Through Time and Sites
    8. ↑ Anglo-Saxon Period
    9. ↑ Anglo-Saxon Derbyshire: Birth of the County
    10. ↑ What Happened at the Battle of Hastings
    11. ↑ Anglo-Saxon Settlement Of Britain | History Timeline
    12. ↑ Brough Family Organization - England - Derbyshire
    13. ↑ Lead Mining
    14. ↑ Derbyshire Coalfield - Derby Area
    15. ↑ Town and parish councils - Derbyshire County Council
    16. ↑ Genuki: Derbyshire, Derbyshire
    17. ↑ Derby, United Kingdom Population 2024
    18. ↑ Most Common Surnames in Derbyshire, With Meanings
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