NameCensus.

UK surname

Lan

A Chinese surname derived from the state of Lan during the Zhou dynasty, which ruled from 1046–256 BCE.

In the 1881 census there were 30 people recorded with the Lan surname, ranking it #29,363 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 198, ranked #19,713, up from #29,363 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Coventry, Kensington and Chelsea and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lan is 198 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 560.0%.

1881 census count

30

Ranked #29,363

Modern count

198

2016, ranked #19,713

Peak year

2016

198 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lan had 30 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,363 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 198 in 2016, ranked #19,713.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 83 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lan 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 83 #19,181
1881 historical 30 #29,363
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 64 #27,010
1997 modern 81 #29,436
1998 modern 84 #29,537
1999 modern 76 #30,546
2000 modern 76 #30,578
2001 modern 63 #31,693
2002 modern 74 #31,048
2003 modern 62 #32,258
2004 modern 71 #31,578
2005 modern 79 #30,950
2006 modern 85 #30,556
2007 modern 93 #29,777
2008 modern 101 #28,825
2009 modern 106 #28,666
2010 modern 117 #27,557
2011 modern 133 #25,177
2012 modern 141 #24,258
2013 modern 156 #23,004
2014 modern 160 #22,824
2015 modern 174 #21,449
2016 modern 198 #19,713

Geography

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Where Lans 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 Coventry, Kensington and Chelsea and Newham. 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 Coventry 034 Coventry
2 Coventry 037 Coventry
3 Kensington and Chelsea 013 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Newham 029 Newham
5 Kensington and Chelsea 004 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lan

These lists show first names that appear often with the Lan 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 Lan

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

Lan 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

Lan 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 Lan 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 Lan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Lan

The surname LAN is believed to have originated in China, where it can be traced back to the 7th century AD. It is derived from the Chinese word "lan," which means "orchid" or "blue." The name was likely given to someone who lived near an area abundant in orchids or had a connection to the color blue.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the LAN surname can be found in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) records, where a scholar named Lan Yuanqi (646-709 AD) was mentioned. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), a famous poet and calligrapher named Lan Ying (1273-1323 AD) gained recognition for his works.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in the records of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), where a general named Lan Yu (1335-1396 AD) was noted for his military achievements. Another notable figure from this period was Lan Pu (1523-1595 AD), a respected scholar and philosopher.

As the LAN surname spread across China, it also became associated with various place names. For example, the city of Lanzhou in Gansu Province is believed to have been derived from the name, as well as the Lan River in Sichuan Province.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), the LAN surname gained further prominence. A renowned artist named Lan Ying (1679-1733 AD) was celebrated for his landscape paintings, while a scholar and official named Lan Tingyuan (1557-1646 AD) was recognized for his contributions to the imperial court.

Throughout its history, the LAN surname has been associated with various scholars, artists, and officials who have made significant contributions to Chinese culture and society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lan 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. Lanarkshire leads with 9 Lans recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.89x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 9 11.89x
Kent 3 3.76x
Devon 2 4.11x
Durham 2 2.87x
Lancashire 2 0.72x
Yorkshire 2 0.86x
Derbyshire 1 2.73x
Hampshire 1 2.09x
Somerset 1 2.65x
Surrey 1 0.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 9 Lans recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.96x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 9 66.96x
Deal 3 441.18x
Bishopwearmouth 2 33.44x
Manchester 2 16.01x
Batheaston 1 769.23x
Bradford 1 17.83x
Camberwell 1 6.69x
Exeter St David 1 238.10x
Mickleover 1 909.09x
Newton Abbot St Mary 1 243.90x
Southampton St Mary 1 33.11x
York St Cuthbert 1 476.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
(Mrs) 1
Ada 1
Alice 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Loveviser 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Olive 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Francis 1
John 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
W. 1
William 1

FAQ

Lan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 30 people were recorded with the Lan surname. That placed it at #29,363 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 198 in 2016. That gives Lan a modern rank of #19,713.

What does the Lan surname mean?

A Chinese surname derived from the state of Lan during the Zhou dynasty, which ruled from 1046–256 BCE.

What does the Lan map show?

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