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    • Main contributor: James L. Tanner
    Corfe, Dorset, England, 1965.

    Dorset, a county situated in Southwest England, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, rich historical heritage, and charming towns and villages. Covering an area of approximately 2,653 square kilometers (1,024 square miles), Dorset shares borders with Somerset and Wiltshire to the north, Hampshire to the east, and Devon to the west.[1]

    Bournemouth, the county's largest town, is officially part of Dorset but is administratively located within the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole unitary authority area. Renowned for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and cultural attractions, Bournemouth is a major coastal resort town.[2]

    Dorset is celebrated for its stunning coastline, including the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its geological significance and fossil discoveries. The county also boasts a diverse array of historical landmarks, picturesque villages, and natural reserves, further enriching its landscape and cultural tapestry.

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    Dorset landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractionsDorset landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions

    The landscape of Dorset is heavily shaped by its geology. The underlying rock types, erosion by weather and sea, and geological processes like folding and tilting have all played a major role. The variety of rock types, from chalk and limestone to clay and sand, creates a diverse landscape with features like heathland, cliffs, and valleys. These physical influences not only create the beauty of the Dorset landscape but also support its unique wildlife habitats. The variation in rock types and soil conditions provides homes for a wide range of plants and animals.[3] Manufacturing is important in parts of Dorset, including pottery and brick production, engineering, electronics, pharmaceutical products, and chemicals.[1] Dorset is the birthplace of the modern trade union movement, after six farm laborers formed a union in 1834 to protest falling wages.[4] These laborers, known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, were arrested and sentenced to transportation, but were pardoned after mass protests.[4] Dorset is one of the foremost dairying areas in England especially on the Levels and Moors. More diverse farming methods are seen on the higher grounds, but a shift has occurred from orchards to peat working. Historically Dorset was renowned as a source of building stone (the quarries at Purbeck). The county continues to be an important source of minerals, particularly limestone.[5]

    Dorset has an abundance of attractions. Kingston Lacy is a lavish family home re-imagined as a Venetian Palace in the rural Dorset countryside. Bournemouth Beach is the best beach in the United Kingdom. Nothe Fort is Weymouth’s number one museum and heritage attraction. Mayor of Casterbridge's House, a red-brick building that inspired the home of Thomas Hardy's Mayor of Casterbridge. The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks. Durdle Door is an amazing sea arch and a major Dorset attraction.

    Dorset historyDorset history

    Dorset has a rich prehistoric history, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Mesolithic period (around 12,500 BC). Early settlers were hunter-gatherers who used stone tools and fire to clear forests for herding prey. Notable prehistoric sites include Maiden Castle, one of the largest hill forts in Europe.[1]

    The Romans occupied Dorset from around 43 AD, establishing settlements and infrastructure. They built Roman roads, villas, and baths, and the area became part of the Roman Empire's network of trade and communication.[6] After the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the early 5th century, Dorset saw the arrival of Anglo-Saxon settlers. The region became part of the West Saxon kingdom in the 7th century, and the Saxons established several settlements and churches.[7]

    During the 18th and 19th centuries, Dorset experienced significant changes due to the Industrial Revolution.[8] The county saw the development of agriculture, fishing, and trade, with the growth of towns like Dorchester and Poole. The Victorian era brought improvements in transportation and public health, with the construction of railways and better sanitation systems.[9]

    In the 20th century, Dorset continued to evolve, with the impact of both World Wars[10] and the subsequent rebuilding efforts.[11] The county became a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty and historical sites. Today, Dorset is a mix of rural landscapes and modern developments, with a growing population and diverse communities.[12]

    In recent years, Dorset has seen an increase in immigration, with people from various parts of the world moving to the area for work, education, and a better quality of life. The county's welcoming community and picturesque surroundings[13] make it an attractive place to live.[14]

    Dorset parishes and unparished areasDorset parishes and unparished areas

    The ceremonial county of Dorset, England has 269 civil parishes. The Dorset History Centre has historic parish registers for 300 parishes in Dorset, which contain records of baptisms, marriages, and burials.[15]. There are several unparished areas in Dorset County, England. The exact number can vary slightly over time due to changes in local government boundaries.The largest unparished area is the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation, which covers a significant portion of the county. There are also several smaller unparished areas scattered throughout Dorset.[16]

    Dorset geographyDorset geography

    Dorset is a county located in the middle of the south coast of England. It lies between the latitudes 50.512°N and 51.081°N and the longitudes 1.682°W and 2.958°W, and occupies an area of 2,653 km2 (1,024 sq mi). It spans 90 kilometres (56 mi) from east to west and 63 kilometres (39 mi) from north to south. Dorset has a mild climate with warm summers and mild winters. The south coast counties of Dorset and others receive more sunshine than anywhere else in the UK.[17]

    Dorset, England has a varied geography, including chalk uplands, a Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and a number of rivers.[18] The entire coastline of Dorset is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which stretches from Studland to Exmouth in Devon. The coastline features many different coastal landforms, including Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, and Golden Cap, the highest cliff on the south coast of England.[19] The North and South Dorset Downs are chalk uplands that stretch through the county. The North Dorset Downs extend from Wiltshire county, while the South Dorset Downs run east to Swanage.

    The main rivers in Dorset are the Stour, Frome, and Piddle. The Stour is the largest river in the county, but its source is in Wiltshire. The Frome and Piddle both flow entirely within Dorset.[20]

    Researching family history in DorsetResearching family history in Dorset

    The Dorset History Centre holds parish registers for 300 different parishes around Dorset. The registers contain records of baptisms, marriages, and burials around the county.[21] The Dorset Council Archive catalogue as about 300 collections of records from parishes around the county. The Dorset Family History Society maintains the TreeTops Research Centre, that contains a large amount of research materials.

    Ethnicities in DorsetEthnicities in Dorset

    The demographic distribution of the Dorset population is as follows:[22]

    Ethnic minorities who are residents of Dorset and who are not 'White British:

    6.1% of Dorset residents are from an ethnic minority, much lower than the country as a whole. The highest proportion (40%) of Dorset’s ethnic minority population are classified as 'White Other'. This classification includes people who identify as white but who do not have UK national identity (English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish and British). An example would be Polish or Bulgarian. The next highest are Mixed Multiple ethnic groups which make up 19% of ethnic minorities followed by Asian, Asian British that make up 18% of the ethnic minority groups in Dorset Council area.

    Surnames in DorsetSurnames in Dorset

    The demographic distribution of Dorset surnames is as follows:[23]

    Surname Incidence Frequency
    Smith 8,300 1:92
    Jones 4,981 1:154
    Brown 4,089 1:187
    Taylor 3,999 1:191
    Williams 3,936 1:194
    White 3,837 1:199
    Harris 2,609 1:293
    King 2,454 1:312
    Davies 2,438 1:314
    Baker 2,390 1:320

    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 Dorset | England, Map, History, & Facts | Britannica
    2. ↑ Bournemouth | England, Map, & Population | Britannica
    3. ↑ Physical Influences on the Dorset landscape
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Early Unions | Tolpuddle Martyrs
    5. ↑ Eurostat
    6. ↑ Roman Dorset – Wilcuma
    7. ↑ The Saxons in Dorset | The Dorset Guide
    8. ↑ Statewide Dual Credit World History, European Imperialism and Crises 1871-1919 CE, Chapter 10: Enlightenment and Colonization, Social Consequences of Industrial Revolution in Europe
    9. ↑ Victorian Food and Health
    10. ↑ Dorset during WW1: how life in the county changed - but continued - 100 years ago | Bournemouth Echo
    11. ↑ Reconstructing Britain after World War Two - Commonwealth immigrants in the Modern Era, 1948-present - OCR B - GCSE History Revision - OCR B
    12. ↑ Dorset, England - genealogy heraldry and history
    13. ↑ Discover Dorset: Everything you need to plan your break to Dorset| Visit Dorset
    14. ↑ Migration in Dorset: five things you might find surprising
    15. ↑ Historic parish registers and records
    16. ↑ Welcome to BCP Council
    17. ↑ Dorset, England
    18. ↑ Dorset | England, Map, History, & Facts | Britannica
    19. ↑ All you need to know about Dorset - Stay In Dorset
    20. ↑ Dorset's rivers and catchments | Dorset Wildlife Trust
    21. ↑ Dorset History Centre
    22. ↑ Diversity Topic Data - Dorset Council
    23. ↑ Most Common Last Names In Dorset
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