UK surname
A surname of Norman French origin meaning "son of Lance".
In the 1881 census there were 71 people recorded with the Lanson surname, ranking it #23,517 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 47, ranked #35,069, down from #23,517 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Toxteth Park, St Pancras and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lanson is 371 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 33.8%.
1881 census count
71
Ranked #23,517
Modern count
47
2016, ranked #35,069
Peak year
1861
371 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lanson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lanson 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 | 99 | #17,294 |
| 1861 | historical | 371 | #6,875 |
| 1881 | historical | 71 | #23,517 |
| 1891 | historical | 295 | #11,255 |
| 1901 | historical | 88 | #24,270 |
| 1911 | historical | 97 | #23,076 |
| 1997 | modern | 42 | #33,459 |
| 1998 | modern | 49 | #33,000 |
| 1999 | modern | 59 | #32,174 |
| 2000 | modern | 37 | #34,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 30 | #34,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 32 | #34,862 |
| 2004 | modern | 37 | #34,640 |
| 2005 | modern | 38 | #34,741 |
| 2006 | modern | 39 | #34,932 |
| 2007 | modern | 44 | #34,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 45 | #34,818 |
| 2009 | modern | 45 | #34,972 |
| 2010 | modern | 56 | #34,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 59 | #34,265 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 53 | #34,715 |
| 2014 | modern | 51 | #34,865 |
| 2015 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
| 2016 | modern | 47 | #35,069 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Toxteth Park, St Pancras, Gateshead, Portland and Nottingham St Mary. 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 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 4 | Portland | Dorset |
| 5 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lanson 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 Lanson, 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 Lanson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lanson 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, Lanson 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 Lanson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lanson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lanson is of French origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of France, particularly in the provinces of Picardy and Artois.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Lanson name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their estates ordered by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Lansone," suggesting a possible Norman influence.
The name is thought to have derived from the Old French word "lançon," which referred to a type of spear or lance. This connection indicates that the original bearers of the Lanson name may have been soldiers or members of the military class during the feudal era.
In the 13th century, records show a notable Lanson family residing in the village of Lanson, located in the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France. It is possible that the surname was initially adopted as a locational name, referring to individuals hailing from this particular place.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the Lanson name was Hugues de Lanson, a French nobleman who lived in the late 12th century. He was a prominent figure in the court of Philip II of France and participated in the Third Crusade.
Another notable Lanson was Jean Lanson (1489-1557), a French theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. He was a close associate of John Calvin and helped establish the Reformed Church in France.
In the 17th century, Nicolas Lanson (1626-1691) was a renowned French architect who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Church of Les Invalides and the Hôtel des Invalides.
During the French Revolution, Pierre Lanson (1756-1824) was a prominent politician and member of the National Convention. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the First French Republic.
In the 19th century, Gustave Lanson (1857-1934) was a renowned French literary critic and historian. He is best known for his influential works on French literature and his contributions to the field of literary criticism.
While the Lanson surname is predominantly French in origin, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through emigration and migration patterns. However, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period in northern France, where it was closely associated with military and noble lineages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lanson 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. Lancashire leads with 18 Lansons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.25x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 18 | 2.25x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 1.63x |
| Yorkshire | 11 | 1.65x |
| Cornwall | 5 | 6.56x |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 5.51x |
| Durham | 4 | 2.00x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 1.38x |
| Shropshire | 3 | 5.16x |
| Sussex | 3 | 2.64x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.51x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.98x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 5.53x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.72x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.92x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Openshaw in Lancashire leads with 8 Lansons recorded in 1881 and an index of 213.90x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Openshaw | 8 | 213.90x |
| Barton | 5 | 4166.67x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 5 | 39.40x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 5 | 21.30x |
| Paddington London | 4 | 16.16x |
| St Tudy | 4 | 3333.33x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 3 | 17.45x |
| Shrewsbury St Mary | 3 | 131.00x |
| Thakeham | 3 | 2307.69x |
| Elland Cum Greetland | 2 | 66.67x |
| Govan | 2 | 3.71x |
| Ilkley | 2 | 183.49x |
| Islington London | 2 | 3.07x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 5.73x |
| Burnley | 1 | 14.86x |
| Chingford | 1 | 312.50x |
| Crondall | 1 | 135.14x |
| Dumbarton | 1 | 39.68x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 11.75x |
| Hunslet | 1 | 9.62x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.67x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 2.06x |
| Norton In Malton | 1 | 123.46x |
| Old Monkland | 1 | 11.57x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 7.87x |
| Reading St Giles | 1 | 20.16x |
| St Andrew By Wardrobe | 1 | 2500.00x |
| St Anne Soho London | 1 | 26.04x |
| St Neot | 1 | 333.33x |
| Stranton | 1 | 14.84x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 3.70x |
| West Derby | 1 | 4.28x |
| West Ham | 1 | 3.41x |
| Weston | 1 | 120.48x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lanson 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 Lanson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 71 people were recorded with the Lanson surname. That placed it at #23,517 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 47 in 2016. That gives Lanson a modern rank of #35,069.
A surname of Norman French origin meaning "son of Lance".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lanson 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.