UK surname
An English surname derived from Old English words referring to a light-keeper or lamplighter.
In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Lampson surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14, ranked #37,178, down from #26,009 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bovey Tracey, Hennock, London parishes and Wolstanton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lampson is 291 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 74.1%.
1881 census count
54
Ranked #26,009
Modern count
14
2016, ranked #37,178
Peak year
1861
291 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lampson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lampson surname density by area, 1891 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 | 67 | #21,440 |
| 1861 | historical | 291 | #8,653 |
| 1881 | historical | 54 | #26,009 |
| 1891 | historical | 133 | #19,870 |
| 1901 | historical | 70 | #26,383 |
| 1911 | historical | 97 | #23,076 |
| 1997 | modern | 18 | #36,053 |
| 1998 | modern | 19 | #36,009 |
| 1999 | modern | 18 | #36,151 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 13 | #36,483 |
| 2002 | modern | 18 | #36,067 |
| 2003 | modern | 18 | #36,115 |
| 2004 | modern | 19 | #36,147 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 12 | #37,014 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 16 | #36,766 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 14 | #37,161 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 14 | #37,178 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bovey Tracey, Hennock, London parishes, Wolstanton and St Pancras. 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 | Bovey Tracey, Hennock | Devon |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lampson 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 Lampson, 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 Lampson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lampson 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, Lampson 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 Lampson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lampson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lampson has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "lamp" and "son," which together mean "son of the lamp keeper" or "son of the lamp maker." This occupational name likely referred to individuals who were responsible for maintaining lamps or producing lamp oil in churches, monasteries, or other religious establishments.
The earliest known record of the name Lampson can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which lists a Richard Lampsone. Another early mention is in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, where a John Lampeson is recorded as a taxpayer.
In the 14th century, the Lampson family had established roots in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Lampsone, Lampeson, and Lampson, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling during that time.
One notable individual with the surname Lampson was Sir William Lampson (1504-1578), who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1568. He was a wealthy merchant and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I for his services to the city.
Another prominent figure was John Lampson (1640-1702), a Puritan minister who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham. He was a vocal critic of the Church of England's practices and was briefly imprisoned for his nonconformist views.
In the 18th century, the Lampson family had a presence in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. One member, Richard Lampson (1715-1789), was a successful businessman and served as the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1771.
The name Lampson also has connections to the American colonies. Thomas Lampson (1639-1703) was one of the early settlers in Ipswich, Massachusetts, arriving in the 1630s. His descendants went on to establish themselves in various parts of New England and beyond.
Another notable figure was Benjamin Lampson (1765-1842), a Revolutionary War veteran from Connecticut who later became a prominent farmer and landowner in Onondaga County, New York. He played a role in the early development of the region and had several townships named after him.
Overall, the surname Lampson has a rich history spanning several centuries, with its origins rooted in medieval England and ties to various occupations, religious establishments, and prominent individuals throughout the ages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lampson 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. Middlesex leads with 20 Lampsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 20 | 3.80x |
| Suffolk | 7 | 10.91x |
| Devon | 5 | 4.56x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.96x |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 4.36x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.64x |
| Monmouthshire | 3 | 7.88x |
| Somerset | 2 | 2.36x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 2.21x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.64x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.59x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 2.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Hanover Square in Middlesex leads with 8 Lampsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 86.21x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St George Hanover Square | 8 | 86.21x |
| Southolt | 6 | 30000.00x |
| St Luke London | 6 | 71.01x |
| Nether Hallam | 5 | 70.82x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 4 | 79.21x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 10.54x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 9.43x |
| Newport | 3 | 164.84x |
| Henstridge | 2 | 869.57x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 2 | 41.41x |
| Barnstaple | 1 | 58.14x |
| Chawleigh | 1 | 833.33x |
| Govan | 1 | 2.37x |
| Hadleigh | 1 | 161.29x |
| Houghton Le Spring | 1 | 92.59x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.42x |
| Malmesbury St Paul | 1 | 250.00x |
| St Bartholomew Less | 1 | 370.37x |
| Whitehaven | 1 | 41.32x |
| Wolborough | 1 | 71.94x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lampson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Lampson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Lampson surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 14 in 2016. That gives Lampson a modern rank of #37,178.
An English surname derived from Old English words referring to a light-keeper or lamplighter.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lampson 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.