NameCensus.

UK surname

Lamble

A surname derived from the Old English words "lamb" and "hyll," referring to a person living near a hill where lambs grazed.

In the 1881 census there were 349 people recorded with the Lamble surname, ranking it #8,778 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 347, ranked #13,259, down from #8,778 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, Charleton, Buckland Tout Saints and Tormoham with Torquay. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, Vale of White Horse and Torbay.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lamble is 516 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.6%.

1881 census count

349

Ranked #8,778

Modern count

347

2016, ranked #13,259

Peak year

1911

516 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lamble had 349 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,778 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 347 in 2016, ranked #13,259.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 516 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Lamble surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lamble surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Lamble 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 237 #9,152
1861 historical 266 #9,318
1881 historical 349 #8,778
1891 historical 420 #8,528
1901 historical 461 #8,554
1911 historical 516 #7,651
1997 modern 384 #11,336
1998 modern 409 #11,172
1999 modern 407 #11,305
2000 modern 413 #11,142
2001 modern 401 #11,214
2002 modern 397 #11,497
2003 modern 390 #11,467
2004 modern 383 #11,650
2005 modern 394 #11,308
2006 modern 383 #11,600
2007 modern 380 #11,820
2008 modern 387 #11,767
2009 modern 394 #11,859
2010 modern 391 #12,207
2011 modern 387 #12,142
2012 modern 362 #12,615
2013 modern 372 #12,570
2014 modern 368 #12,770
2015 modern 355 #13,033
2016 modern 347 #13,259

Geography

Back to top

Where Lambles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, Charleton, Buckland Tout Saints, Tormoham with Torquay, Paddington and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams, Vale of White Horse and Torbay. 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 Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin Devon
2 Charleton, Buckland Tout Saints Devon
3 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
4 Paddington London (West Districts)
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 010 South Hams
2 South Hams 011 South Hams
3 South Hams 005 South Hams
4 Vale of White Horse 007 Vale of White Horse
5 Torbay 012 Torbay

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Lamble

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Lamble

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Lamble surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Lamble 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Lamble is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Lamble is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lamble falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lamble is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Lamble

The surname Lamble has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from the Old English words "lamb" and "hyll," meaning a hill or high place where lambs grazed. The name likely originated in areas with hilly terrain and a strong sheep farming presence.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273. It mentions a Robert de Lambhulle, whose name suggests a connection to a place called Lamb Hill or a similar variation.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, including Lambhyll, Lambylle, and Lambele, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spelling in medieval times. These variations often arose from regional dialects and the interpretations of scribes.

A notable early bearer of the name was John Lamble, a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1379. Another early record comes from the Pipe Rolls of Buckinghamshire in 1428, where a Thomas Lambyll is listed as a taxpayer.

In the 16th century, the surname took on its more modern spelling of Lamble. One notable figure from this period was William Lamble, a prominent clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, from 1542 to 1567.

During the 17th century, the name appeared in various parish records across England. One example is Richard Lamble, who was baptized in 1624 in the village of Wiston, Sussex. Another is John Lamble, a soldier who fought in the English Civil War and is mentioned in the muster rolls of the Parliamentarian army in 1642.

The 18th century saw the rise of several notable individuals with the Lamble surname. One was Thomas Lamble, a renowned mathematician and astronomer born in Cambridgeshire in 1720. He made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and served as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge from 1764 until his death in 1796.

Another prominent figure was Mary Lamble (1750-1828), a philanthropist and social reformer from Yorkshire. She was instrumental in establishing several charitable organizations and advocating for the rights of women and children in her local community.

In the 19th century, the Lamble surname continued to be associated with various professions and achievements. One example is Robert Lamble (1805-1881), an influential architect from London who designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Lamble families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lamble 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. Devon leads with 219 Lambles recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.73x.

County Total Index
Devon 219 30.73x
Middlesex 38 1.11x
Hampshire 30 4.27x
Lancashire 28 0.69x
Somerset 5 0.91x
Essex 4 0.59x
Kent 4 0.34x
Staffordshire 4 0.35x
Surrey 4 0.24x
Berkshire 3 1.17x
Cheshire 2 0.26x
Northumberland 2 0.39x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.48x
Channel Islands 1 0.99x
Cornwall 1 0.26x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.22x
Royal Navy 1 2.45x
Sussex 1 0.17x
Wiltshire 1 0.33x
Yorkshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paddington London in Middlesex leads with 21 Lambles recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.68x.

Place Total Index
Paddington London 21 16.68x
Harberton 18 1111.11x
Plymouth St Andrew 18 32.79x
East Portlemouth 17 4722.22x
Charleton 16 2500.00x
Liverpool 16 6.48x
Tormoham 15 49.73x
Wolborough 14 155.38x
Newton Abbot St Mary 12 200.67x
Black Torrington 9 873.79x
Blackawton 9 725.81x
Kingsbridge 9 502.79x
Malborough 9 318.02x
Stonehouse East 9 248.62x
West Alvington 9 900.00x
Dodbrooke 8 567.38x
Diptford 7 897.44x
Southampton St Mary 7 15.86x
Stoke Damerel 7 14.03x
Stokenham 7 348.26x
Crumpsall 6 62.63x
Lymington 6 116.28x
Portsea 5 3.64x
Upton Grey 5 1020.41x
West Teignmouth 5 91.74x
Barking 4 20.22x
Burton Upon Trent 4 14.79x
Hammersmith London 4 4.74x
Huyton With Roby 4 84.03x
Islington London 4 1.21x
St Pancras London 4 1.45x
Basing 3 229.01x
Dartmouth Townstall 3 103.45x
Newton Abbot St Nicholas 3 205.48x
Plymouth Charles The 3 9.55x
Ashprington 2 377.36x
Huntspill 2 88.50x
Kensington London 2 1.05x
Newington 2 1.58x
North Shields 2 19.67x
Reading St Giles 2 7.93x
Shepton Mallet 2 32.36x
South Stoneham 2 13.14x
Teigngrace 2 1000.00x
Totnes 2 47.96x
West Derby 2 1.68x
Alverstoke 1 3.94x
Bowdon 1 33.33x
Charlton 1 333.33x
Chelsea London 1 0.97x
Chertsey 1 9.28x
Dartmouth St Petrox 1 97.09x
Ermington 1 38.61x
Exeter St Mary Major 1 23.26x
Gillingham 1 4.15x
Great Marlow 1 17.89x
Greenwich 1 1.83x
Halwell 1 128.21x
Hampstead London 1 1.88x
Hythe St Leonard 1 24.21x
Liscard 1 7.34x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.84x
Old Shoreham 1 344.83x
Royal Navy 1 2.87x
Sevenoaks 1 10.56x
South Cave 1 88.50x
St Budeaux 1 45.05x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.66x
St Lawrence Winchester 1 344.83x
St Mary Magdalene 1 35.09x
St Peter Port 1 5.33x
Stokefleming 1 111.11x
Walton In Gordano 1 169.49x
Wandsworth 1 3.03x
Westbury 1 14.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Elizabeth 14
Ellen 12
Jane 9
Emma 8
Sarah 8
Ann 7
Florence 6
Annie 5
Emily 5
Louisa 5
Susan 5
Catherine 4
Martha 4
Alice 3
Bessie 3
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Adelina 2
Anna 2
Hannah 2
Margaret 2
Priscilla 2
Rose 2
Bertha 1
Charlote 1
Charlotte 1
Elizabth. 1
Elizth. 1
Fanny 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Hester 1
Hibbet 1
Jessie 1
Kitty 1
Lilian 1
Lilley 1
Lucy 1
Merina 1
Millicent 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Nelly 1
Nora 1
P. 1
Phillippa 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 28
John 25
James 14
Walter 12
Henry 9
George 7
Thomas 7
Albert 5
Charles 5
Edwin 5
Samuel 5
Harry 4
Richard 4
Alfred 3
Robert 3
Francis 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Hy. 2
Jacob 2
Lewis 2
Alexander 1
Bertie 1
Bertram 1
Chas. 1
Claude 1
Clifton 1
Edward 1
Elias 1
Elie 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
G. 1
Jas.B. 1
Peter 1
Richd. 1
Saml. 1
Tom 1
Willm.J 1

FAQ

Lamble surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lamble surname in 1881?

In 1881, 349 people were recorded with the Lamble surname. That placed it at #8,778 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lamble surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 347 in 2016. That gives Lamble a modern rank of #13,259.

What does the Lamble surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English words "lamb" and "hyll," referring to a person living near a hill where lambs grazed.

What does the Lamble map show?

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