NameCensus.

UK surname

Lane

An English occupational surname referring to a person who lived near or worked on a lane or path.

In the 1881 census there were 20,556 people recorded with the Lane surname, ranking it #179 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 28,044, ranked #197, down from #179 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire, Bassetlaw and Tewkesbury.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lane is 29,274 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.4%.

1881 census count

20,556

Ranked #179

Modern count

28,044

2016, ranked #197

Peak year

1999

29,274 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lane had 20,556 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #179 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 28,044 in 2016, ranked #197.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 27,923 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Lane surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lane surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lane 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 13,479 #175
1861 historical 13,919 #176
1881 historical 20,556 #179
1891 historical 22,001 #176
1901 historical 25,245 #181
1911 historical 27,923 #142
1997 modern 28,022 #191
1998 modern 29,101 #192
1999 modern 29,274 #192
2000 modern 28,975 #193
2001 modern 28,200 #193
2002 modern 28,669 #193
2003 modern 28,085 #193
2004 modern 27,846 #196
2005 modern 27,243 #198
2006 modern 27,208 #198
2007 modern 27,316 #198
2008 modern 27,254 #199
2009 modern 27,784 #199
2010 modern 28,454 #199
2011 modern 28,118 #198
2012 modern 27,772 #197
2013 modern 28,395 #196
2014 modern 28,589 #195
2015 modern 28,200 #197
2016 modern 28,044 #197

Geography

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Where Lanes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire, Bassetlaw, Tewkesbury and Mid Devon. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 005 Herefordshire, County of
2 Bassetlaw 008 Bassetlaw
3 Tewkesbury 002 Tewkesbury
4 Tewkesbury 004 Tewkesbury
5 Mid Devon 007 Mid Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lane

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lane

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lane, 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 Lane surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Lane 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Lane is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lane is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Lane

The surname "LANE" is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "lane," which referred to a narrow path or road between hedges or fences, often leading to a village or dwelling. The name was likely given to someone who lived near or worked on such a lane.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "de la Lane" and "atte Lane," indicating that the bearer resided near a specific lane.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname became more widespread and was often associated with place names that incorporated the word "lane." For example, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention individuals named "William de la Lane" and "Robert atte Lane" from different locations.

In the 15th century, the surname began to take on its modern spelling of "Lane." Notable bearers of the name from this period include Sir Ralph Lane (c. 1530 - 1603), an English explorer and colonial governor of the first English settlement on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina.

The 16th and 17th centuries saw the emergence of several prominent individuals with the surname Lane. One such figure was Jane Lane (1600 - 1689), an English royalist who famously aided the escape of King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651, disguising him as her servant.

In the 18th century, Sir Thomas Lane (1700 - 1784) was a British naval officer who served in the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. He rose to the rank of Admiral of the Red and was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Plymouth naval station.

The 19th century brought forth individuals like Edward William Lane (1801 - 1876), a renowned English orientalist and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Arabic language and culture through his extensive translations and research.

One of the most famous bearers of the surname in the 20th century was Nathan Lane (born 1956), an American actor and writer known for his roles in various Broadway musicals and films, such as "The Producers" and "The Birdcage."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lane families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lane 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 3,048 Lanes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.51x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 3,048 1.51x
Surrey 1,541 1.57x
Gloucestershire 1,444 3.66x
Lancashire 1,176 0.49x
Warwickshire 1,108 2.18x
Kent 975 1.42x
Devon 832 1.99x
Yorkshire 753 0.38x
Worcestershire 718 2.73x
Hampshire 689 1.67x
Staffordshire 680 1.00x
Somerset 642 1.98x
Dorset 538 4.07x
Nottinghamshire 526 1.94x
Herefordshire 521 6.31x
Wiltshire 383 2.15x
Norfolk 365 1.18x
Lincolnshire 358 1.11x
Buckinghamshire 318 2.61x
Essex 312 0.79x
Shropshire 309 1.78x
Glamorgan 282 0.80x
Derbyshire 253 0.80x
Cornwall 248 1.09x
Leicestershire 238 1.07x
Monmouthshire 235 1.61x
Durham 233 0.39x
Berkshire 227 1.50x
Hertfordshire 226 1.63x
Cheshire 201 0.45x
Sussex 190 0.56x
Northamptonshire 156 0.82x
Bedfordshire 146 1.40x
Oxfordshire 136 1.09x
Cambridgeshire 90 0.71x
Suffolk 80 0.33x
Channel Islands 67 1.12x
Brecknockshire 49 1.22x
Northumberland 41 0.14x
Royal Navy 41 1.71x
Lanarkshire 31 0.05x
Rutland 31 2.10x
Huntingdonshire 24 0.60x
Midlothian 22 0.08x
Cumberland 18 0.10x
Angus 17 0.09x
Carmarthenshire 17 0.20x
Renfrewshire 16 0.10x
Caernarfonshire 11 0.14x
Aberdeenshire 9 0.05x
Pembrokeshire 8 0.13x
Denbighshire 7 0.09x
Fife 7 0.06x
Clackmannanshire 5 0.30x
Merionethshire 5 0.14x
Roxburghshire 5 0.14x
Selkirkshire 4 0.22x
Buteshire 3 0.25x
Isle of Man 3 0.08x
Montgomeryshire 3 0.07x
Wigtownshire 3 0.11x
Ayrshire 2 0.01x
Radnorshire 2 0.12x
Westmorland 2 0.05x
Anglesey 1 0.03x
Berwickshire 1 0.04x
East Lothian 1 0.04x
Flintshire 1 0.02x
Inverness-shire 1 0.02x
Ross-shire 1 0.02x
Stirlingshire 1 0.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 387 Lanes recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.29x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 387 2.29x
Aston 369 2.64x
Lambeth 299 1.70x
Islington London 257 1.32x
Bethnal Green London 239 2.73x
St Marylebone London 226 2.10x
St Pancras London 219 1.35x
Camberwell 180 1.40x
Hackney London 168 1.49x
Battersea 160 2.16x
Nottingham St Mary 153 2.18x
Cheltenham 150 4.92x
Kensington London 147 1.31x
Newington 147 1.98x
Portsea 143 1.77x
Shoreditch London 140 1.60x
West Ham 138 1.57x
Paddington London 132 1.78x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 106 2.85x
St George Hanover Square 106 2.99x
Manchester 98 0.91x
Chelsea London 90 1.48x
Croydon 90 1.65x
Bromley London 81 1.83x
Westminster St John 81 3.30x
Bermondsey 79 1.32x
Wolverhampton 78 1.49x
Clerkenwell London 75 1.58x
Tormoham 66 3.72x
Mile End Old Town London 65 1.52x
Bedminster 64 2.10x
Leicester St Margaret 64 1.18x
Southwark St George Martyr 64 1.58x
Deptford St Paul 63 1.19x
Willesden 63 3.32x
West Bromwich 61 1.57x
Liverpool 60 0.41x
Winchcomb 58 29.60x
Poplar London 55 1.45x
Brighton 52 0.76x
Kingston On Thames 52 2.21x
Kingswinford 52 2.11x
Lewisham 52 1.42x
Luton 52 2.88x
Macclesfield 52 2.63x
Little Rissington 51 320.35x
Wednesfield 51 5.10x
Everton 50 0.66x
Greenwich 50 1.56x
Southampton St Mary 50 1.93x
St Luke London 50 1.55x
Hampstead London 48 1.53x
Bow London 47 1.83x
Christchurch 47 5.25x
Hemel Hempstead 47 7.52x
Plumstead 47 2.05x
Gloucester Barton St Mary 46 6.37x
Walcot 46 2.67x
Claines 45 6.24x
Sedgley 45 1.78x
Tipton 45 2.16x
Handsworth 44 2.63x
Rotherhithe 43 1.73x
Clifton 41 2.05x
Worsley 41 2.78x
Kings Norton 39 1.65x
Woolwich 39 1.54x
Roath 38 2.39x
South Hamlet 38 15.55x
Royal Navy 37 1.80x
Salford 37 0.53x
Ashleworth 36 103.45x
Dawley 35 5.53x
Sheffield 35 0.55x
Wycombe 35 3.86x
Bulwell 34 5.76x
St Martin In Fields 34 2.82x
Trevethin 34 2.47x
Radford 33 2.39x
Ryde 33 3.72x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1,363
Elizabeth 801
Sarah 658
Ann 405
Eliza 346
Jane 339
Annie 323
Emma 320
Ellen 313
Emily 301
Alice 281
Hannah 163
Louisa 162
Maria 152
Edith 146
Florence 141
Fanny 140
Martha 140
Harriet 138
Charlotte 135
Margaret 133
Caroline 129
Ada 114
Catherine 113
Kate 104
Lucy 100
Clara 95
Anne 89
Susan 86
Rose 78
Frances 73
Agnes 69
Amelia 68
Harriett 68
Matilda 67
Julia 59
Minnie 52
Rebecca 51
Esther 47
Sophia 44
Amy 42
Laura 42
Gertrude 41
Rosa 41
Grace 39
Eleanor 38
Selina 37
Anna 36
Beatrice 36
Jessie 35

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 1,329
John 1,156
George 739
Thomas 704
James 602
Henry 494
Charles 478
Joseph 285
Edward 227
Alfred 220
Arthur 210
Robert 205
Richard 204
Frederick 186
Samuel 168
Walter 156
Albert 150
Harry 132
Francis 98
Frank 98
Edwin 82
Ernest 77
Herbert 65
David 55
Wm. 51
Benjamin 46
Daniel 43
Thos. 40
Mark 39
Michael 34
Tom 34
Fred 30
Patrick 30
Sidney 29
Fredrick 28
Stephen 26
Fredk. 24
Josiah 24
Geo. 23
Chas. 21
Dennis 21
Edmund 21
Jesse 21
Philip 21
Peter 19
Andrew 18
Sydney 18
Alexander 16
Isaac 16
Matthew 16

FAQ

Lane surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lane surname in 1881?

In 1881, 20,556 people were recorded with the Lane surname. That placed it at #179 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lane surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 28,044 in 2016. That gives Lane a modern rank of #197.

What does the Lane surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a person who lived near or worked on a lane or path.

What does the Lane map show?

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