UK surname
An Americanized spelling of a Scottish surname possibly derived from a place name.
In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Larr surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #31,170 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Darlington and Edlington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Larr is 108 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.1%.
1881 census count
17
Ranked #31,170
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
108 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Larr surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Larr surname density by area, 1861 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 | 37 | #26,673 |
| 1861 | historical | 108 | #19,856 |
| 1881 | historical | 17 | #31,170 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 26 | #31,152 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 12 | #36,679 |
| 2003 | modern | 15 | #36,415 |
| 2004 | modern | 15 | #36,530 |
| 2005 | modern | 15 | #36,621 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 10 | #37,563 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Darlington, Edlington, Barcomb and Kidderminster. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Darlington | Durham |
| 3 | Edlington | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Barcomb | Sussex |
| 5 | Kidderminster | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Larr 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 Larr, 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 Larr surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Larr 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, Larr 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 Larr is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Larr, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LARR has its origins in the Normandy region of France, dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "larr," which means "thief" or "rogue." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname or descriptor for someone who had a reputation for mischievous or unscrupulous behavior.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name LARR can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named Robert LARR, who held property in the village of Littlehampton, Sussex.
In the 13th century, historical records indicate the presence of a family named LARR in the village of Larret, near the town of Rouen in Normandy. It is possible that the family adopted the name of their place of residence, which was a common practice during that era.
During the Middle Ages, the surname LARR was also found in various spellings, such as Larre, Lar, and Larrie, reflecting the linguistic variations and regional dialects of the time.
Notable individuals with the surname LARR throughout history include:
1. Sir William LARR (c. 1325 - 1387), a renowned English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War and participated in several battles alongside Edward III.
2. Jean LARR (1490 - 1555), a French theologian and scholar who taught at the University of Paris and authored several treatises on religious philosophy.
3. Margery LARR (1520 - 1587), an English herbalist and midwife who was renowned for her knowledge of medicinal plants and her contributions to women's healthcare.
4. Etienne LARR (1630 - 1701), a French explorer and cartographer who mapped several regions of North America and is credited with naming the Mississippi River.
5. Thomas LARR (1785 - 1862), an English industrialist and entrepreneur who established one of the first textile mills in Manchester during the Industrial Revolution.
While the surname LARR has ancient roots, it is relatively uncommon in modern times, with pockets of families still bearing the name scattered across various regions of Europe and North America.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Larr 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. Worcestershire leads with 8 Larrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.99x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire | 8 | 36.99x |
| Devon | 2 | 5.80x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 3.73x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 1.02x |
| Renfrewshire | 2 | 15.58x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.60x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kidderminster Borough in Worcestershire leads with 4 Larrs recorded in 1881 and an index of 314.96x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kidderminster Borough | 4 | 314.96x |
| Kidderminster Foreign | 4 | 1290.32x |
| Barony | 2 | 14.75x |
| Middle Greenock | 2 | 571.43x |
| Oldham | 2 | 31.55x |
| Tormoham | 2 | 136.99x |
| Stoke Newington London | 1 | 77.52x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Larr surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Larr surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Larr a modern rank of #37,705.
An Americanized spelling of a Scottish surname possibly derived from a place name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Larr 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.