NameCensus.

UK surname

Laher

A surname of German origin meaning a person who lived near a pond or marsh.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Laher surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 539, ranked #9,438, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees and Blackburn with Darwen.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Laher is 559 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 53800.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

539

2016, ranked #9,438

Peak year

2011

559 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Laher had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 539 in 2016, ranked #9,438.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 22 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Laher surname distribution map

The map shows where the Laher surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Laher surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Laher over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 22 #31,140
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 377 #11,508
1998 modern 378 #11,871
1999 modern 397 #11,503
2000 modern 410 #11,204
2001 modern 381 #11,637
2002 modern 394 #11,561
2003 modern 415 #10,962
2004 modern 437 #10,557
2005 modern 467 #9,925
2006 modern 494 #9,569
2007 modern 504 #9,508
2008 modern 521 #9,342
2009 modern 544 #9,247
2010 modern 537 #9,543
2011 modern 559 #9,139
2012 modern 529 #9,461
2013 modern 523 #9,697
2014 modern 526 #9,731
2015 modern 531 #9,584
2016 modern 539 #9,438

Geography

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Where Lahers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees and Blackburn with Darwen. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 013 Kirklees
2 Kirklees 012 Kirklees
3 Kirklees 010 Kirklees
4 Blackburn with Darwen 007 Blackburn with Darwen
5 Blackburn with Darwen 003 Blackburn with Darwen

Forenames

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First names often paired with Laher

These lists show first names that appear often with the Laher surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Laher

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Laher, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Laher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Laher household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Laher is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Laher is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Laher falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Laher is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Laher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Laher

The surname "Laher" is thought to have originated in Germany, with roots dating back to the 13th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old German word "lah," which means "meadow" or "pasture," indicating that the earliest bearers of this name may have lived in or near a meadow.

One of the earliest known records of the surname "Laher" can be found in the medieval German manuscripts from the city of Cologne, where a family bearing this name is mentioned in the local tax records from the year 1275. The name was also prevalent in the nearby regions of the Rhineland and the Palatinate during this time period.

In the 15th century, the surname "Laher" appeared in various spellings, such as "Lahr," "Lair," and "Laire," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of that era. Some of these variations may have been influenced by the place names of towns or villages where the name holders resided.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name "Laher" became more widely dispersed across Germany, with notable bearers of this surname emerging in various fields. One such individual was Johann Laher (1492-1560), a renowned scholar and theologian from Nuremberg, who made significant contributions to the Protestant Reformation.

Another prominent figure was Hans Laher (1567-1635), a skilled artisan and master craftsman from Augsburg, who was renowned for his intricate woodcarvings and furniture designs. His creations were highly sought after by the nobility and wealthy patrons of the time.

In the 18th century, the name "Laher" gained further recognition with the birth of Wilhelm Laher (1721-1789), a respected military officer who served in the Prussian Army during the Seven Years' War. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield earned him several honors and commendations.

As the 19th century dawned, the Laher family continued to make its mark in various fields. One noteworthy individual was Maria Laher (1845-1924), a celebrated opera singer from Berlin, whose exceptional vocal talents and stage presence made her a beloved figure in the world of classical music.

Finally, in the early 20th century, the name "Laher" was carried by Otto Laher (1892-1971), a pioneering engineer and inventor from Hamburg. His innovative designs and patents in the field of automotive technology played a significant role in the development of modern automobiles.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Laher families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Laher surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 1 Lahers recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hammersmith London in Middlesex leads with 1 Lahers recorded in 1881 and an index of 416.67x.

Place Total Index
Hammersmith London 1 416.67x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Laher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Marion 1

FAQ

Laher surname: questions and answers

How common was the Laher surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Laher surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Laher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 539 in 2016. That gives Laher a modern rank of #9,438.

What does the Laher surname mean?

A surname of German origin meaning a person who lived near a pond or marsh.

What does the Laher map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Laher bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.