These are the most common Black or African American last names beginning with D in the United States.
Our list takes surnames from the 2010 census where 50% or more holders declared that they were Black.
Of course, many African Americans have surnames that fall below this percentage. We simply use it as a cut-off for this list.
Details Behind The List
The U.S. census of 2010 included a question that asked if the person was Black or another ethnicity (or mix).
Our details include the black percentage in 2010 for each name. The census provides a percentage with two decimal points. We rounded it to a whole number.
We also checked the censuses of 1940 and 1910 for the number of people of each name who were documented as black.
This article uses the terms Black and African American interchangeably.
The public details from the 2010 census do not include nationality so our numbers cannot be exact. Take them as a guide.
Black Or African American Surnames Beginning With D
The surnames are listed in order of how common they are in America.
We included the names who had at least one thousand bearers in 2010. It should be interesting to compare the numbers we provide from the earlier censuses.
You may be surprised not to find “Davis” here because it is a very common name. But it isn’t at least 50% black. Our sister website has a separate in-depth look at the black genealogy of the Davis surname.
Dorsey
The 2010 census had a total of 43,631 people with the last name Dorsey.
About 52% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 9,332 people named Dorsey were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 5,773 name holders were documented as black.
Historical figures
Thomas J. Dorsey was born into slavery in 1812 in Maryland. He and his brother Basil escaped in their early twenties by fleeing to Pennsylvania with help from the Underground Railroad.
Thomas was captured and returned to face trial. But his friends in Philadelphia raised enough funds to buy his freedom in 1850.
Dorsey gained work in Philadelphia as a waiter and went on to start a catering business. He became one of the most renowned caterers in the city.
He was also a strong supporter of desegregation, and a friend of Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass.
Dukes
The 2010 census had a total of 22,187 people with the last name Dukes.orse
About 51% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 3,658 people named Dukes were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,682 name holders were documented as black.
Historical figures
Let’s look at two different Dukes from Alabama, both born in 1932.
Hazel Dukes was born in Montgomery. Her father was a friend of civil rights leader E.D. Nixon and their discussions drew her into activism.
She was elected President of the New York NAACP in 1975 and spent over forty years at the helm.
Ofield Dukes was the son of cotton share croppers. After serving in the army, he graduated from Wayne State with a degree in journalism.
After working as a journalist and winning awards, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Ofield to steer public relations for several important rights bills.
Ofield opened his own public relations firm in 1969. Motown Records were his first clients. He would go on to be a key driver with Stevie Wonder in creating the national holiday to honor Dr Martin Luther King.
Dawkins
The 2010 census had a total of 15,431 people with the last name Dawkins.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 2,733 people named Dawkins were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,367 name holders were documented as black.
Diggs
The 2010 census had a total of 14,467 people with the last name Diggs.
About 68% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 3,708 people named Diggs were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 2,807 name holders were documented as black.
Historic figures
Elder Watson Diggs was born in Kentucky in 1883. He enrolled in Indiana University in 1910.
He and nine other African American students formed a fraternity a year later. This became Kappa Alpha Psi. Diggs was the president (grand polemarch) for six years.
He went on to be a teacher and principal in Indianapolis after serving in the army during WWI.
Darden
The 2010 census had a total of 13,414 people with the last name Darden.
About 58% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 2,747 people named Darden were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,616 name holders were documented as black.
Drayton
The 2010 census had a total of 7,648 people with the last name Drayton.
About 78% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,989 people named Drayton were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,307 people of this name were documented as black.
Diallo
The 2010 census had a total of 7,502 people with the last name Diallo.
About 95% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Dabney
The 2010 census had a total of 7,376 people with the last name Dabney.
About 56% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,333 people named Dabney were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 1,023 people of this name were documented as black.
Dinkins
The 2010 census had a total of 6,242 people with the last name Dinkins.
About 54% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 962 people named Dinkins were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 473 people of this name were documented as black.
Dancy
The 2010 census had a total of 5,551 people with the last name Dancy.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 926 people named Dancy were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 633 people of this name were documented as black.
Dowdell
The 2010 census had a total of 4,976 people with the last name Dowdell.
About 62% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 1,000 people named Dowdell were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 503 people of this name were documented as black.
Dortch
The 2010 census had a total of 4,817 people with the last name Dortch.
About 60% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 626 people named Dortch were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 298 people of this name were documented as black.
Dingle
The 2010 census had a total of 4,301 people with the last name Dingle.
About 58% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 760 people named Dingle were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 457 people of this name were documented as black.
Desir
The 2010 census had a total of 4,241 people with the last name Desir.
About 90% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, three people named Desir were documented as black.
Two were a couple living in New York. The husband Joseph was born in the West Indies and his wife Elsie was born in North Carolina.
The other person was a married woman, also in New York, living with her widowed mother.
There were no black holders of the name in the 1910 U.S. census.
Dandridge
The 2010 census had a total of 4,201 people with the last name Dandridge.
About 73% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 927 people named Dandridge were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 767 people of this name were documented as black.
Dantzler
The 2010 census had a total of 4,117 people with the last name Dantzler.
About 70% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 797 people named Dantzler were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 433 people of this name were documented as black.
Dunson
The 2010 census had a total of 4,088 people with the last name Dunson.
About 53% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 744 people named Dunson were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 470 people of this name were documented as black.
Daye
The 2010 census had a total of 3,958 people with the last name Daye.
About 62% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 130 people named Daye were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 34 people of this name were documented as black.
Dunston
The 2010 census had a total of 3,702 people with the last name Dunston.
About 60% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 687 people named Dunston were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 389 people of this name were documented as black.
Dansby
The 2010 census had a total of 3,019 people with the last name Dansby.
About 52% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 677 people named Dansby were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 389 people of this name were documented as black.
Dominique
The 2010 census had a total of 2,943 people with the last name Dominique.
About 53% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 99 people named Dominique were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 78 people of this name were documented as black.
Depina (or de Pina)
The 2010 census had a total of 2,849 people with the last name Depina.
About 56% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 15 people named Depina were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, one person of this name was documented as black. Philip de Pina was born in Portugal and was now living in Connecticut.
Dennard
The 2010 census had a total of 2,819 people with the last name Dennard.
About 61% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 506 people named Dennard were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 264 people of this name were documented as black.
Debose
The 2010 census had a total of 2,727 people with the last name Debose.
About 79% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 661 people named Debose were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 412 people of this name were documented as black.
Deshields
The 2010 census had a total of 2,688 people with the last name Deshields.
About 60% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 562 people named Deshields were documented as black. However, there were no black holders of the name in the 1910 U.S. census.
Dismuke
The 2010 census had a total of 2,676 people with the last name Dismuke.
About 58% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 352 people named Dismuke were documented as black. However, there were no black holders of the name in the 1910 U.S. census.
Demery
The 2010 census had a total of 2,516 people with the last name Demery.
About 53% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Dade
The 2010 census had a total of 2,364 people with the last name Dade.
About 62% identified as Black or African American.
560 people named Dade were documented as black in the 1910 U.S. census. But in 1940 there were no holders of the name documented as black.
Diop
The 2010 census had a total of 2,246 people with the last name Diop.
About 91% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Deloatch
The 2010 census had a total of 2,206 people with the last name Deloatch.
About 88% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 400 people named Deloatch were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 146 people of this name were documented as black.
Drummer
The 2010 census had a total of 2,143 people with the last name Drummer.
About 57% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 378 people named Drummer were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 210 people of this name were documented as black.
Devaughn
The 2010 census had a total of 2,099 people with the last name Devaughn.
About 52% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 287 people named Devaughn were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 137 people of this name were documented as black.
Dews
The 2010 census had a total of 2,067 people with the last name Dews.
About 54% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 254 people named Dews were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 135 people of this name were documented as black.
Dublin
The 2010 census had a total of 2,011 people with the last name Dublin.
About 52% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 323 people named Dublin were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 164 people of this name were documented as black.
Deloney
The 2010 census had a total of 1,942 people with the last name Deloney.
About 56% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 326 people named Deloney were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 171 people of this name were documented as black.
Dargan
The 2010 census had a total of 1,884 people with the last name Dargan.
About 52% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 281 people named Dargan were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 224 people of this name were documented as black.
Delva
The 2010 census had a total of 1,869 people with the last name Delva.
About 88% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1910 U.S. census, two people of this name were documented as black. One was born in Louisiana and the other in Oklahoma.
Neither of these two ladies appear thirty years later in the 1940 census.
In the 1940 U.S. census, one person named Delva was documented as black. Her birthplace was Haiti.
Drakeford
The 2010 census had a total of 1,793 people with the last name Drakeford.
About 86% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 471 people named Drakeford were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 201 people of this name were documented as black.
Dedeaux
The 2010 census had a total of 1,732 people with the last name Dedeaux.
About 54% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 269 people named Dedeaux were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, one person of this name was documented as black. Rosa Dedeaux was born in Mississippi in 1857.
Days
The 2010 census had a total of 1,678 people with the last name Days.
About 67% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 604 people named Days were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 385 people of this name were documented as black.
Demps
The 2010 census had a total of 1,581 people with the last name Demps.
About 83% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 384 people named Demps were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 229 people of this name were documented as black.
Deramus
The 2010 census had a total of 1,572 people with the last name Deramus.
About 51% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 279 people named Deramus were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 113 people of this name were documented as black.
Ducksworth
The 2010 census had a total of 1,488 people with the last name Ducksworth.
About 89% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 310 people named Ducksworth were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 94 people of this name were documented as black.
Dunmore
The 2010 census had a total of 1,469 people with the last name Dunmore.
About 68% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 432 people named Dunmore were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 238 people of this name were documented as black.
Demby
The 2010 census had a total of 1,423 people with the last name Demby.
About 70% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 305 people named Demby were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 237 people of this name were documented as black.
Duhart
The 2010 census had a total of 1,370 people with the last name Duhart.
About 78% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 423 people named Duhart were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 103 people of this name were documented as black.
Desta
The 2010 census had a total of 1,291 people with the last name Desta.
About 94% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Danzy
The 2010 census had a total of 1,193 people with the last name Danzy.
About 77% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 262 people named Danzy were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 115 people of this name were documented as black.
Drakes
The 2010 census had a total of 1,177 people with the last name Drakes.
About 72% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 217 people named Drakes were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 67 people of this name were documented as black.
Deveaux
The 2010 census had a total of 1,173 people with the last name Deveaux.
About 67% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 209 people named Deveaux were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 167 people of this name were documented as black.
Dorvil
The 2010 census had a total of 1,162 people with the last name Dorvil.
About 92% identified as Black or African American.
Nobody of this name was documented as black in the 1900 or 1940 censuses.
Dia
The 2010 census had a total of 1,145 people with the last name Dia.
About 54% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 4 people named Dia were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 7 people of this name were documented as black.
Degree
The 2010 census had a total of 1,139 people with the last name Degree.
About 52% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 112 people named Degree were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 33 people of this name were documented as black.
Dunklin
The 2010 census had a total of 1,102 people with the last name Dunklin.
About 62% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 210 people named Dunklin were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 235 people of this name were documented as black.
Destin
The 2010 census had a total of 1,069 people with the last name Destin.
About 82% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 11 people named Destin were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 25 people of this name were documented as black.
Dada
The 2010 census had a total of 1,018 people with the last name Dada.
About 53% identified as Black or African American.
In the 1940 U.S. census, 10 people named Dada were documented as black.
In the 1910 U.S. census, 3 people of this name were documented as black. One was born in Virginia and two in Mississippi.