UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the Cornish word "lann," meaning a monastery or church.
In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Lann surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 36, ranked #35,648, down from #29,911 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, St Anne Soho and Putney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lann is 156 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.5%.
1881 census count
26
Ranked #29,911
Modern count
36
2016, ranked #35,648
Peak year
1861
156 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lann surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lann 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 | 82 | #19,317 |
| 1861 | historical | 156 | #14,813 |
| 1881 | historical | 26 | #29,911 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 44 | #29,276 |
| 1911 | historical | 24 | #30,800 |
| 1997 | modern | 22 | #35,584 |
| 1998 | modern | 25 | #35,365 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 28 | #35,080 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 23 | #35,606 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 25 | #35,610 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 28 | #35,665 |
| 2007 | modern | 31 | #35,592 |
| 2008 | modern | 33 | #35,556 |
| 2009 | modern | 37 | #35,434 |
| 2010 | modern | 40 | #35,403 |
| 2011 | modern | 42 | #35,283 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 33 | #35,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 35 | #35,702 |
| 2016 | modern | 36 | #35,648 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, St Anne Soho, Putney, Cadbury, North 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 No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | St Anne Soho | London (Central Districts) |
| 3 | Putney | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Cadbury, North | Somerset |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lann 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 Lann, 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 Lann surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lann 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, Lann 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 Lann is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lann, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LANN is believed to have originated in Ireland, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "lann," which means "enclosure" or "land enclosed by a wall." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with a particular area or settlement surrounded by a protective barrier.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LANN surname can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a clan leader named Donnchadh Ua Lainne, who lived in the 13th century and hailed from the province of Connacht.
In the 14th century, the LANN surname appeared in the Exchequer Rolls of Ireland, which were administrative records documenting tax payments and other financial transactions. This provides evidence that the name was well-established in Ireland during this period.
Throughout the centuries, the LANN surname has had various spelling variations, including Lanne, Lann, Lanne, and Lan. Some of these variations may have been influenced by local dialects or scribal errors in historical records.
Several notable individuals have borne the LANN surname throughout history. One prominent figure was John Lann (c. 1490 - c. 1555), an English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Another notable LANN was Edward Lann (1670 - 1746), an English architect and surveyor who designed several churches and buildings in London during the early 18th century.
In the literary realm, the American poet and essayist Robert Lann (1891 - 1972) gained recognition for his works exploring themes of nature and spirituality.
The Irish politician and barrister James Lann (1876 - 1946) served as a Member of Parliament for the Sinn Féin party and was actively involved in the Irish independence movement.
Finally, the British artist and illustrator Emily Lann (1875 - 1964) is renowned for her intricate woodcut prints and illustrations, many of which depicted scenes from rural England.
These examples demonstrate the widespread presence of the LANN surname across various professions and regions throughout history, reflecting its enduring legacy as a family name with deep roots in Ireland.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lann 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. Essex leads with 7 Lanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 7 | 15.80x |
| Suffolk | 6 | 21.95x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 1.13x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.89x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 3.94x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 4.74x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1.32x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.91x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.45x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Ham in Essex leads with 7 Lanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 71.57x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham | 7 | 71.57x |
| Hopton | 6 | 8571.43x |
| Cheetham | 3 | 150.75x |
| Harborne | 1 | 41.15x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 18.69x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 5.11x |
| Lanteglos | 1 | 833.33x |
| Northampton All Sts | 1 | 138.89x |
| St Martin In Fields | 1 | 74.63x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 45.25x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lann surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Lann surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 36 in 2016. That gives Lann a modern rank of #35,648.
An occupational surname derived from the Cornish word "lann," meaning a monastery or church.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lann 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.