UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "long town" or "tall town."
In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Lanton surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #26,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Walthamstow, Low Leyton, Wolstanton and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lanton is 392 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 79.6%.
1881 census count
49
Ranked #26,735
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
392 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lanton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lanton surname density by area, 1901 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 | 112 | #15,913 |
| 1861 | historical | 392 | #6,536 |
| 1881 | historical | 49 | #26,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 234 | #13,352 |
| 1901 | historical | 118 | #20,721 |
| 1911 | historical | 54 | #27,423 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 24 | #35,488 |
| 1999 | modern | 24 | #35,514 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 13 | #37,140 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 10 | #37,563 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Walthamstow, Low Leyton, Wolstanton, Liverpool, Sheffield and Rochdale. 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 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 2 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 4 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Rochdale | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lanton 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 Lanton, 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 Lanton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lanton 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, Lanton 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 Lanton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lanton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lanton originated in England, with records dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "land" and "tun," meaning an enclosed or fortified farmstead or settlement. The earliest known reference to the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1191, where a William de Lanton is mentioned.
The name Lanton is closely associated with the village of Lanton in Northumberland, which is thought to be the ancestral home of the family. The village's name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Lentun," further solidifying the connection between the surname and the place name.
In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Lanton who held lands in Northumberland and was involved in local affairs. Another notable bearer of the name was Sir John de Lanton, who served as a knight during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century.
During the 15th century, the Lanton family established themselves in Yorkshire, where they held lands and property. One prominent member was Thomas Lanton, born in 1437, who served as a magistrate and held significant influence in the region.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including Langtoun, Lantonne, and Lantone. One notable figure from this period was Elizabeth Lanton, born in 1558, who was a renowned author and poet, praised for her poignant works on love and loss.
As the centuries progressed, the Lanton family dispersed throughout England, with some members migrating to other parts of the British Isles and even to the American colonies. Notable individuals with the surname include:
1. Sir William Lanton (1602-1677), a prominent English politician and landowner during the reign of King Charles I. 2. John Lanton (1712-1789), a successful merchant and ship owner from Bristol, England. 3. Mary Lanton (1768-1845), a respected educator and advocate for women's education in Scotland. 4. Captain Thomas Lanton (1812-1897), a British naval officer who served in the Crimean War and received commendations for bravery. 5. George Lanton (1878-1942), a pioneering aviator and one of the first pilots to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
While the surname Lanton has evolved and spread over the centuries, it remains deeply rooted in its English origins, carrying the history and legacy of its earliest bearers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lanton 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. Yorkshire leads with 16 Lantons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.45x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 16 | 3.45x |
| Devon | 4 | 4.11x |
| Sussex | 4 | 5.07x |
| Cornwall | 3 | 5.66x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 3.27x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.88x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.54x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.43x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 2.87x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.27x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.31x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 2.85x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.93x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 2.27x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 4.76x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 2.47x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heeley in Yorkshire leads with 7 Lantons recorded in 1881 and an index of 496.45x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Heeley | 7 | 496.45x |
| Cuckfield | 4 | 500.00x |
| Marsden In Almondbury | 4 | 952.38x |
| Monkleigh | 4 | 4444.44x |
| Bristol St George | 3 | 70.59x |
| Liskeard | 3 | 337.08x |
| Newington | 3 | 234.38x |
| Ashford | 2 | 128.21x |
| Elswick | 2 | 35.97x |
| West Bromwich | 2 | 22.12x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 4.92x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 8.12x |
| Everton | 1 | 5.65x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 8.67x |
| Holy Trinity St Mary | 1 | 140.85x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 1 | 7.91x |
| Liff Benvie | 1 | 15.20x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 2.96x |
| Logie | 1 | 133.33x |
| Maidwell | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Salford | 1 | 6.12x |
| Stoke St Milborough | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Thwing | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Winkfield | 1 | 172.41x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lanton 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 Lanton surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Lanton surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Lanton a modern rank of #37,599.
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "long town" or "tall town."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lanton 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.