NameCensus.

UK surname

Lam

A Chinese surname meaning "forest" or "woods," or referring to someone living near or working in such areas.

In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Lam surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,390, ranked #1,554, up from #28,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Westminster, Cambridge and Bexley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lam is 4,390 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12094.4%.

1881 census count

36

Ranked #28,559

Modern count

4,390

2016, ranked #1,554

Peak year

2016

4,390 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lam had 36 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,390 in 2016, ranked #1,554.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 72 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lam surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lam surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lam 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
1881 historical 36 #28,559
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 40 #29,678
1997 modern 3,031 #2,118
1998 modern 3,277 #2,043
1999 modern 3,406 #1,988
2000 modern 3,422 #1,974
2001 modern 3,374 #1,958
2002 modern 3,611 #1,877
2003 modern 3,622 #1,827
2004 modern 3,757 #1,763
2005 modern 3,797 #1,718
2006 modern 3,879 #1,682
2007 modern 3,983 #1,654
2008 modern 4,004 #1,656
2009 modern 4,125 #1,647
2010 modern 4,360 #1,594
2011 modern 4,302 #1,594
2012 modern 4,235 #1,585
2013 modern 4,356 #1,574
2014 modern 4,370 #1,584
2015 modern 4,330 #1,577
2016 modern 4,390 #1,554

Geography

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Where Lams 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 Westminster, Cambridge, Bexley and Manchester. 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 Westminster 018 Westminster
2 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
3 Bexley 002 Bexley
4 Manchester 055 Manchester
5 Westminster 009 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lam

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lam

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lam, 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 Lam surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Lam 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Lam is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lam 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

Lam falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lam 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Lam

The surname Lam is believed to have originated in England, with its roots traced back to the Old English word "lamb," which means a young sheep or lamb. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273 as "William le Lam."

In medieval times, surnames were often derived from occupations, personal characteristics, or places of origin. The surname Lam may have been initially given to someone who worked with lambs or sheep, or it could have been a descriptive name referring to someone who was considered gentle or meek, like a lamb.

The name Lam has also been found in various historical records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1199, where it appears as "Walterus Lambe." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

One notable historical figure with the surname Lam was John Lambe (c. 1450-1537), an English priest and theologian who served as the Dean of the Arches and Master of the Chancery. Another prominent individual was John Lambe (1628-1708), an English Presbyterian minister and author who wrote several religious works.

In Scotland, the surname Lam can be traced back to the 16th century, with records showing a John Lam in Perthshire in 1579. The name was also found in the Orkney Islands, where a Robert Lam was recorded in 1612.

The surname Lam has also been associated with place names, such as Lambeth in London, which was originally recorded as "Lam-hythe" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, meaning "landing place for lambs."

Other notable individuals with the surname Lam include:

1. Walter Lamb (1825-1888), an English architect and designer, known for his work on the Holborn Viaduct in London. 2. Sir Horace Lam (1892-1973), a British colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Hong Kong from 1947 to 1952. 3. Willy Lam (born 1952), a Hong Kong-based author and political commentator, known for his writings on Chinese politics and leadership. 4. David Lam (1923-2010), a Canadian businessman and philanthropist, who served as the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia from 1988 to 1995. 5. Stanley Lam (born 1975), a Hong Kong actor and singer, known for his roles in various television series and films.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lam families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lam 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 20 Lams recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.61x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 20 6.61x
West Lothian 3 65.93x
Lancashire 2 0.56x
Norfolk 2 4.30x
Durham 1 1.11x
Lincolnshire 1 2.07x
Royal Navy 1 27.78x
Yorkshire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 9 Lams recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.71x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 9 30.71x
Spitalfields London 8 352.42x
Whitburn 3 454.55x
Heigham 2 80.00x
Astley 1 357.14x
Collierley 1 250.00x
Great Grimsby 1 32.57x
Kensington London 1 5.95x
Little Crosby 1 1666.67x
Sowerby In Halifax 1 102.04x
St George Hanover Square 1 18.76x
St Luke London 1 20.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 6
Ellen 2
Jane 2
Alice 1
Anna 1
Annie 1
Deborah 1
Elizabeth 1
Elmy 1
Jermima 1
Julia 1
Leah 1
Rosetta 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 2
ALI 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Edwd. 1
John 1
William 1

FAQ

Lam surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lam surname in 1881?

In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Lam surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lam surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,390 in 2016. That gives Lam a modern rank of #1,554.

What does the Lam surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "forest" or "woods," or referring to someone living near or working in such areas.

What does the Lam map show?

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