NameCensus.

UK surname

Lappin

A surname derived from the French word "lapin," meaning "rabbit," likely referring to a rabbit hunter or seller.

In the 1881 census there were 233 people recorded with the Lappin surname, ranking it #11,648 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,146, ranked #5,146, up from #11,648 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Manchester and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Parkhead West and Barrowfield, Greenock East and Ibrox.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lappin is 1,179 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 391.8%.

1881 census count

233

Ranked #11,648

Modern count

1,146

2016, ranked #5,146

Peak year

2014

1,179 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lappin had 233 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,648 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,146 in 2016, ranked #5,146.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 419 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Lappin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lappin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lappin 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 68 #21,302
1861 historical 88 #22,554
1881 historical 233 #11,648
1891 historical 328 #10,348
1901 historical 419 #9,191
1911 historical 199 #15,016
1997 modern 1,101 #5,060
1998 modern 1,109 #5,221
1999 modern 1,140 #5,143
2000 modern 1,112 #5,223
2001 modern 1,077 #5,260
2002 modern 1,099 #5,279
2003 modern 1,109 #5,143
2004 modern 1,084 #5,258
2005 modern 1,081 #5,201
2006 modern 1,079 #5,217
2007 modern 1,101 #5,183
2008 modern 1,083 #5,283
2009 modern 1,114 #5,265
2010 modern 1,134 #5,295
2011 modern 1,122 #5,285
2012 modern 1,131 #5,167
2013 modern 1,155 #5,163
2014 modern 1,179 #5,103
2015 modern 1,156 #5,129
2016 modern 1,146 #5,146

Geography

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Where Lappins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Manchester, Glasgow, Paisley Abbey and Middlesborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Parkhead West and Barrowfield, Greenock East, Ibrox, Liverpool and Craigend and Ruchazie. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Glasgow Lanark
4 Paisley Abbey Renfrew
5 Middlesborough Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Parkhead West and Barrowfield Glasgow City
2 Greenock East Inverclyde
3 Ibrox Glasgow City
4 Liverpool 059 Liverpool
5 Craigend and Ruchazie Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lappin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lappin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lappin, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Lappin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Lappin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Lappin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lappin is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lappin falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lappin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Lappin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Lappin

The surname Lappin is believed to have originated in Scotland, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "leppr," meaning a patch or strip of land, suggesting that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived on a small piece of land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Lappyn," indicating its Scottish origins and connection to the region.

In the 14th century, the name is mentioned in the records of the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, where a Walter Lappyn is referenced. This provides evidence of the surname's presence and use during this time period.

The Lappin surname has also been linked to various place names throughout Scotland, such as Lappin Burn and Lappin Rig, which are located in the Scottish Borders region. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Among notable individuals bearing the Lappin surname is James Lappin (1722-1806), a Scottish-born merchant and landowner who settled in Pennsylvania, United States. Another notable figure is Alexander Lappin (1776-1859), a Scottish-born businessman and banker who played a significant role in the development of the city of Wilmington, Delaware.

Thomas Lappin (1892-1977) was a renowned Scottish sculptor and artist, known for his works depicting scenes from everyday life in Scotland. His sculptures can be found in various public spaces and museums throughout the country.

Kathleen Lappin (1926-2012) was a respected Irish historian and author, best known for her work on the history of County Longford, Ireland. Her extensive research and publications have contributed greatly to the preservation of local history and heritage.

Lastly, John Lappin (1942-2021) was a Scottish actor and playwright, recognized for his contributions to the theatre scene in Glasgow and beyond. His plays often explored themes of working-class life and social issues, earning him critical acclaim.

These examples demonstrate the widespread presence of the Lappin surname across various fields and regions, reflecting its enduring legacy and the diverse accomplishments of those who have carried this name throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lappin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lappin 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 64 Lappins recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.71x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 64 8.71x
Lancashire 54 2.00x
Renfrewshire 24 13.63x
Yorkshire 21 0.93x
Cumberland 15 7.67x
Midlothian 9 2.96x
Northumberland 9 2.66x
Nottinghamshire 6 1.96x
Ayrshire 5 2.94x
Gloucestershire 5 1.12x
Hampshire 5 1.07x
Middlesex 5 0.22x
Durham 4 0.59x
Stirlingshire 3 3.58x
Cheshire 2 0.40x
Angus 1 0.47x
Suffolk 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 21 Lappins recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.29x.

Place Total Index
Barony 21 11.29x
Govan 20 11.00x
Everton 14 16.29x
Salford 11 13.87x
Brampton 10 373.13x
Glasgow 10 7.66x
Middlesbrough 10 34.09x
South Leith 9 26.27x
Neilston 8 90.50x
Paisley Low Church 8 143.37x
Manchester 7 5.77x
West Greenock 7 22.14x
Barrow In Furness 6 16.36x
Basford 6 42.49x
Cowpen 5 64.18x
Dalziel 5 63.21x
Portsea 5 5.48x
Kilmarnock 4 19.75x
Linthorpe 4 29.76x
Liverpool 4 2.44x
Toxteth Park 4 4.38x
Whitehaven 4 38.35x
Widnes 4 20.57x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 3 14.30x
Bothwell 3 15.05x
Bristol St Augustine 3 41.72x
Gorbals 3 68.81x
Heworth 3 22.52x
Kilsyth 3 56.18x
Ormesby 3 49.59x
Westminster St Margaret 3 27.37x
Bristol Temple 2 68.26x
Litherland 2 35.46x
Longbenton 2 13.97x
New Monkland 2 9.20x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 9.90x
Preston 2 2.77x
Birtley 1 36.23x
Bury St Edmunds St James 1 13.53x
Hampstead London 1 2.82x
Higher Bebington 1 31.15x
Huddersfield 1 3.05x
Kensington London 1 0.79x
Little Meolse 1 138.89x
Monifieth 1 13.44x
Paisley High Church 1 7.13x
Seaton 1 43.86x
Stewarton 1 29.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Elizabeth 5
Jane 5
Margaret 5
Sarah 5
Agusta 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Isabella 2
Agnes 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Barbara 1
Bridget 1
Bridjet 1
Eliza 1
Emana 1
Harriet 1
Jeanie 1
M. 1
Martha 1
Meuai 1
Rachel 1
Susan 1
Teaus 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 10
James 9
Joseph 4
Henry 3
Patrick 3
Thomas 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Francis 2
George 2
Richard 2
Rob 2
Adolph 1
Barnard 1
Cowan 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Jacob 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Sakney 1
W.H. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Lappin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lappin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 233 people were recorded with the Lappin surname. That placed it at #11,648 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lappin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,146 in 2016. That gives Lappin a modern rank of #5,146.

What does the Lappin surname mean?

A surname derived from the French word "lapin," meaning "rabbit," likely referring to a rabbit hunter or seller.

What does the Lappin map show?

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