NameCensus.

UK surname

Laine

A Finnish surname derived from a place name or topographic feature, such as a bay or cove.

In the 1881 census there were 111 people recorded with the Laine surname, ranking it #18,597 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 310, ranked #14,406, up from #18,597 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Darlington, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, Haringey and Swindon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Laine is 323 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 179.3%.

1881 census count

111

Ranked #18,597

Modern count

310

2016, ranked #14,406

Peak year

2010

323 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Laine had 111 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,597 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016, ranked #14,406.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 114 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Laine surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Laine surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Laine 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
1851 historical 72 #20,720
1861 historical 91 #22,206
1881 historical 111 #18,597
1891 historical 87 #25,802
1901 historical 109 #21,712
1911 historical 114 #21,064
1997 modern 260 #14,880
1998 modern 283 #14,442
1999 modern 297 #14,053
2000 modern 285 #14,422
2001 modern 263 #14,999
2002 modern 274 #14,849
2003 modern 261 #15,180
2004 modern 255 #15,504
2005 modern 254 #15,480
2006 modern 267 #15,042
2007 modern 270 #15,080
2008 modern 272 #15,152
2009 modern 289 #14,809
2010 modern 323 #14,005
2011 modern 304 #14,475
2012 modern 317 #13,960
2013 modern 309 #14,451
2014 modern 314 #14,371
2015 modern 307 #14,504
2016 modern 310 #14,406

Geography

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Where Laines are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Darlington, London parishes, Gateshead and Merthyr Tydfil. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, Haringey, Swindon and Copeland. 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 Darlington Durham
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 032 Sunderland
2 Haringey 036 Haringey
3 Haringey 028 Haringey
4 Swindon 022 Swindon
5 Copeland 002 Copeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Laine

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Laine

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Laine, 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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Laine surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Laine household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Laine 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

Laine 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

Laine falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Laine is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Laine

The surname Laine originated in France, where it first emerged in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "laine," which means "wool" or "woolen cloth." This suggests that the name was likely associated with individuals involved in the wool trade or textile industry.

The earliest recorded instances of the Laine surname can be found in medieval French records and documents, such as tax rolls, parish registers, and property deeds. Some of these records date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, indicating the name's long-standing presence in French history.

The surname Laine may also have connections to various place names in France that incorporate the word "laine." For instance, the village of Laines in the department of Eure-et-Loir could potentially be a source for the surname. Additionally, variations like Delaine or Delaines may have originated from place names prefixed with the French preposition "de," signifying origin or residence.

In terms of historical figures bearing the Laine surname, one notable example is Étienne de Laine (c. 1518-1594), a French scholar and religious reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation in France. Another individual of note is François Laine (1662-1744), a French architect who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the church of Saint-Louis-en-l'Île.

Pierre Laine (1726-1807) was a prominent French engineer and architect who contributed to the construction of several important structures, such as the Palais de la Bourse (Stock Exchange) in Bordeaux. Nicolas Joseph Laine (1787-1835), a French soldier and politician, served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies during the Bourbon Restoration and the July Monarchy.

Lastly, Édouard Laine (1870-1928) was a French sculptor and medalist known for his works in bronze and marble, as well as his participation in the Art Nouveau movement.

While the Laine surname may have originated in France, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its roots can be traced back to the wool and textile industries of medieval France, reflecting the diverse occupations and origins that have shaped many European surnames over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Laine families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Laine 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. Channel Islands leads with 133 Laines recorded in 1881 and an index of 189.35x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 133 189.35x
Middlesex 14 0.59x
Yorkshire 12 0.51x
Durham 8 1.13x
Lancashire 7 0.25x
Midlothian 7 2.20x
Fife 6 4.28x
Surrey 6 0.52x
Devon 5 1.01x
Glamorgan 5 1.21x
Sussex 5 1.25x
Lanarkshire 4 0.52x
Norfolk 4 1.10x
Northumberland 4 1.13x
Staffordshire 4 0.50x
Worcestershire 4 1.29x
Cheshire 3 0.57x
Cornwall 3 1.12x
Wiltshire 2 0.95x
Bedfordshire 1 0.81x
Derbyshire 1 0.27x
Gloucestershire 1 0.22x
Hertfordshire 1 0.61x
Kent 1 0.12x
Leicestershire 1 0.38x
West Lothian 1 2.80x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Sampson in Channel Islands leads with 39 Laines recorded in 1881 and an index of 1230.28x.

Place Total Index
St Sampson 39 1230.28x
St Peter Port 35 269.44x
St Maryde Castro 18 1040.46x
St Saviour 11 283.51x
St Andrew 9 967.74x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 5.48x
Golborne 7 190.74x
Rawdon 7 252.71x
St Lawrence 7 364.58x
Anstruther Easter 5 495.05x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 13.15x
Banstead 4 127.80x
Elswick 4 14.21x
Forest 4 816.33x
Kidderminster Borough 4 22.08x
Merthyr Tydfil 4 10.08x
St Michaelinthe Vale 4 159.36x
East Dereham 3 65.22x
Huddersfield 3 8.77x
Old Monkland 3 9.86x
South Shields 3 47.77x
St Clement 3 280.37x
St Luke London 3 7.89x
Stoke Newington London 3 16.25x
Brighton 2 2.48x
Melksham 2 54.95x
St Giles 2 45.45x
St Ives 2 38.10x
St Martin 2 46.51x
Stockport 2 7.43x
Walsall Borough 2 32.21x
Bagworth 1 204.08x
Barony 1 0.52x
Bathgate 1 12.90x
Bedford St Paul 1 11.88x
Bishop Stortford 1 18.32x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.65x
Brightling 1 181.82x
Bristol St Augustine 1 13.33x
Darlington 1 3.67x
Eastbourne 1 5.44x
Falmouth 1 10.53x
Greenwich 1 2.65x
Grouville 1 51.02x
Hammersmith London 1 1.71x
Harrow 1 27.62x
Hart 1 58.14x
Heigham 1 5.11x
Horsley 1 44.84x
Hove 1 5.70x
Isleworth 1 9.49x
Kensington London 1 0.76x
Middlesbrough 1 3.27x
Paddington London 1 1.15x
Putney 1 9.26x
St Andrews 1 15.67x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.39x
St Pancras London 1 0.52x
St Sepulchre London 1 28.82x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 1.18x
Sutton 1 11.96x
Tranmere 1 5.20x
Walsall Foreign 1 2.42x
Wombleton 1 416.67x
Ystradyfodwg 1 2.76x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Julia 7
Elizabeth 6
Ellen 6
Ann 5
Alice 4
Emma 4
Jane 4
Louisa 4
Martha 4
Sarah 3
Amelia 2
Eliza 2
Esther 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Louise 2
Marie 2
Rachel 2
Sophia 2
Sophie 2
Susan 2
Catherine 1
Christina 1
Edith 1
Eisabeth 1
Elaine 1
Elisabeth 1
Eunice 1
Hiacinthe 1
Jeanne 1
Josephine 1
Julianna 1
Julie 1
Kate 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Madelaine 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Noeni 1
Olympe 1
Patty 1
Phoebe 1
Polly 1
Rebecca 1
Rosalie 1
Zelia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 19
Thomas 12
William 8
James 6
Peter 5
Abraham 4
Alfred 4
Henry 4
Francois 3
Robert 3
Adolphus 2
Louis 2
Messurier 2
Nicholas 2
A.James 1
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Austin 1
Charles 1
Christopher 1
Dominique 1
Edgar 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Eugene 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
George 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Hilary 1
Isaac 1
Ismael 1
Jaques 1
Joseph 1
Kulalie 1
Mathew 1
Michael 1
Patrick 1
Philip 1
Pierre 1
Samuel 1
Vincent 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Laine surname: questions and answers

How common was the Laine surname in 1881?

In 1881, 111 people were recorded with the Laine surname. That placed it at #18,597 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Laine surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016. That gives Laine a modern rank of #14,406.

What does the Laine surname mean?

A Finnish surname derived from a place name or topographic feature, such as a bay or cove.

What does the Laine map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Laine 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.