UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of lamps and lanterns.
In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Lamp surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 25, ranked #36,324, down from #31,914 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Frindsbury, Cooling, Gateshead and Monkwearmouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lamp is 148 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 108.3%.
1881 census count
12
Ranked #31,914
Modern count
25
2016, ranked #36,324
Peak year
1861
148 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lamp surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lamp surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 22 | #29,378 |
| 1861 | historical | 148 | #15,452 |
| 1881 | historical | 12 | #31,914 |
| 1891 | historical | 97 | #24,447 |
| 1901 | historical | 64 | #27,010 |
| 1911 | historical | 41 | #28,802 |
| 1997 | modern | 13 | #36,672 |
| 1998 | modern | 10 | #37,048 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 11 | #36,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 12 | #37,014 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 15 | #37,030 |
| 2012 | modern | 19 | #36,641 |
| 2013 | modern | 20 | #36,614 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 22 | #36,493 |
| 2016 | modern | 25 | #36,324 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Frindsbury, Cooling, Gateshead, Monkwearmouth, Nottingham St Mary and Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early),. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frindsbury, Cooling | Kent |
| 2 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 3 | Monkwearmouth | Durham |
| 4 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| 5 | Reading St Giles, Shinfield (East and West Side, Hartley Dammer), Sonning (Early), | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lamp surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lamp, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Lamp surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lamp household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Lamp is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lamp is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lamp, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lamp is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German word "lamp" or "lampa," meaning a lamp or a light source. This name likely originated in the region of present-day Germany during the Middle Ages.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lamp can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the Saxon region of Germany, dating back to the 13th century. In this manuscript, a certain "Henricus Lamp" is mentioned in a legal document from the year 1283.
The Lamp surname is also believed to have connections to various place names throughout Germany, such as Lampenhain, Lampertsham, and Lamperstätten. These place names likely derived from individuals with the surname Lamp who settled in these areas.
In the 14th century, a notable figure named Johannes Lamp (c. 1320-1389) was a respected scholar and theologian at the University of Prague. His writings and teachings on theology and philosophy were highly influential during his time.
Another significant individual with the Lamp surname was Hans Lamp (c. 1460-1516), a German blacksmith and metalworker who is credited with designing and constructing some of the intricate wrought-iron gates and railings found in churches and cathedrals throughout Bavaria.
During the 16th century, a family named Lamp was prominent in the city of Nuremberg, where they were involved in the textile trade. One member of this family, Christoph Lamp (1521-1588), was a successful merchant and served as a councilman in the city.
In the 17th century, a German artist named Jakob Lamp (1633-1701) gained renown for his detailed etchings and engravings depicting landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural subjects.
Another notable figure with the Lamp surname was Johann Lamp (1772-1845), a German composer and organist who contributed to the development of church music during the late Classical and early Romantic periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lamp surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 2 Lamps recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.51x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 2 | 11.51x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 3.42x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 5.29x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 12.77x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 1 Lamps recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.49x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney London | 1 | 30.49x |
| Monkwearmouth Shore | 1 | 294.12x |
| Old Monkland | 1 | 133.33x |
| Queensferry | 1 | 10000.00x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 294.12x |
| Stockton On Tees | 1 | 119.05x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lamp surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Lamp surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 25 in 2016. That gives Lamp a modern rank of #36,324.
An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of lamps and lanterns.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lamp bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.