NameCensus.

UK surname

Laskey

An English occupational surname referring to someone who manufactured locks or keys.

In the 1881 census there were 352 people recorded with the Laskey surname, ranking it #8,718 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 521, ranked #9,701, down from #8,718 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Kingsteignton and Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Exeter, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Forest of Dean.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Laskey is 538 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48.0%.

1881 census count

352

Ranked #8,718

Modern count

521

2016, ranked #9,701

Peak year

1999

538 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Laskey had 352 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,718 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016, ranked #9,701.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 500 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Laskey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Laskey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Laskey 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 286 #7,933
1861 historical 227 #10,749
1881 historical 352 #8,718
1891 historical 378 #9,277
1901 historical 440 #8,843
1911 historical 500 #7,831
1997 modern 510 #9,172
1998 modern 530 #9,179
1999 modern 538 #9,134
2000 modern 522 #9,313
2001 modern 510 #9,312
2002 modern 520 #9,377
2003 modern 520 #9,233
2004 modern 517 #9,288
2005 modern 513 #9,276
2006 modern 514 #9,291
2007 modern 509 #9,443
2008 modern 513 #9,454
2009 modern 511 #9,685
2010 modern 522 #9,739
2011 modern 524 #9,625
2012 modern 498 #9,886
2013 modern 516 #9,783
2014 modern 525 #9,745
2015 modern 528 #9,633
2016 modern 521 #9,701

Geography

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Where Laskeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Exeter St David (including Castle Yard), Kingsteignton, Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster, London parishes and St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Exeter, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Forest of Dean, Gateshead and Norwich. 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 Exeter St David (including Castle Yard) Devon
2 Kingsteignton Devon
3 Kenn, Ide, Ashton, Exminster Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Exeter 007 Exeter
2 Rhondda Cynon Taf 022 Rhondda Cynon Taf
3 Forest of Dean 008 Forest of Dean
4 Gateshead 021 Gateshead
5 Norwich 003 Norwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Laskey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Laskey

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Laskey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Laskey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Laskey 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

Laskey is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Laskey falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Laskey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Laskey

The surname Laskey has its roots in Northern England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it first emerged in the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from an Old English or Anglo-Saxon personal name, "Loysik" or "Loyseke," which may have been a diminutive form of the name "Louis" or a variant of the name "Luke."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Laskey can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, which list a John Laskey residing in the village of Doncaster. The Laskey name also appears in various medieval records from the 14th and 15th centuries, including the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from 1332, which mention a William Laskey.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Laskey surname was well-established in the North of England, with several notable figures bearing the name. One such individual was Robert Laskey (1557-1624), a prominent clergyman who served as the Rector of Aston in Yorkshire. Another was John Laskey (1625-1687), a wealthy landowner and magistrate from Lancashire.

As the centuries progressed, the Laskey name spread to other parts of England and beyond. In the 18th century, a branch of the family settled in Scotland, where they adopted the spelling "Laskay." One notable bearer of this variant was Robert Laskay (1738-1811), a Scottish merchant and trader who made his fortune in the West Indies.

The 19th century saw the Laskey name gain prominence in various fields. One notable figure was William Laskey (1809-1891), a renowned English artist and engraver who specialized in depicting wildlife and landscapes. Another was Joseph Laskey (1826-1903), a successful businessman and philanthropist who founded the Laskey Home for Orphaned Children in Sheffield.

As the 20th century dawned, the Laskey name continued to be associated with achievement and distinction. One notable bearer was Sir Alfred Laskey (1877-1954), a British diplomat and ambassador who served in various posts around the world. Another was Dame Ethel Laskey (1892-1982), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, who played a pivotal role in establishing several girls' schools in England.

Throughout its long history, the surname Laskey has been borne by individuals from diverse walks of life, including clergymen, landowners, merchants, artists, philanthropists, diplomats, and educators. While its exact origins may remain shrouded in the mists of time, the name has left an indelible mark on the cultural and historical tapestry of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Laskey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Laskey 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. Devon leads with 156 Laskeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.76x.

County Total Index
Devon 156 21.76x
Norfolk 71 13.41x
Middlesex 39 1.13x
Durham 15 1.46x
Cornwall 10 2.57x
Hampshire 9 1.28x
Yorkshire 8 0.23x
Lancashire 7 0.17x
Worcestershire 7 1.56x
Lincolnshire 5 0.91x
Monmouthshire 5 2.01x
Kent 4 0.34x
Surrey 3 0.18x
Essex 2 0.29x
Gloucestershire 2 0.30x
Lanarkshire 2 0.18x
Somerset 2 0.36x
Cheshire 1 0.13x
Derbyshire 1 0.19x
Glamorgan 1 0.17x
Royal Navy 1 2.44x
Staffordshire 1 0.09x
Warwickshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tormoham in Devon leads with 18 Laskeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 59.35x.

Place Total Index
Tormoham 18 59.35x
Kingsteignton 14 703.52x
Tedburn St Mary 14 1842.11x
Exeter St Sidwell 12 73.08x
Wolborough 11 121.41x
Wymondham 11 203.33x
Barnham Broom 10 1923.08x
Bethnal Green London 10 6.68x
Cheriton Bishop 9 1285.71x
Exeter St Thomas The 9 123.12x
Westminster St James 8 22.60x
Hackford In Aylsham 7 736.84x
Moreton Hampstead 7 378.38x
Southampton All Sts 7 57.80x
Ferryhill 6 167.60x
Gwennap 6 81.63x
Kenn 6 535.71x
Kidderminster Borough 6 22.80x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 6 37.76x
Plymouth Charles The 6 19.00x
Shadwell London 6 62.24x
Ashburton 5 145.77x
Auckland St Helen 5 462.96x
Careby 5 2500.00x
Clayton 5 59.88x
Highweek 5 195.31x
Hingham 5 273.22x
Kenton 5 221.24x
Norwich St Saviour 5 268.82x
Salford 5 4.16x
Hempnall 4 384.62x
Lakenham 4 53.19x
Maidstone 4 11.43x
Risca 4 85.29x
St Pancras London 4 1.44x
Barford 3 789.47x
Clist St George 3 967.74x
Exeter St David 3 49.02x
Heigham 3 10.56x
Manningham 3 7.14x
St Just In Roseland 3 175.44x
St Marylebone London 3 1.63x
Witheridge 3 247.93x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 3.15x
Buckland Monachorum 2 130.72x
Camberwell 2 0.91x
Colney 2 1818.18x
Dunsford 2 217.39x
Exeter Holy Trinity 2 71.17x
Hartlepool 2 13.74x
Kimberley 2 952.38x
Maryhill 2 9.17x
Norwich St Peter 2 57.64x
Norwich St Stephen 2 41.15x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 3.62x
Portsea 2 1.45x
Salcombe Regis 2 298.51x
Sampford Spiney 2 416.67x
St George Bloomsbury 2 10.12x
Topsham 2 59.17x
Wells St Cuthbert 2 52.91x
Woodbury 2 93.90x
Battersea 1 0.79x
Bromley London 1 1.32x
Chigwell 1 15.58x
Chiswick 1 5.31x
Christchurch 1 12.99x
East Teignmouth 1 34.13x
Eaton St Andrew 1 68.03x
Exeter Heavitree 1 18.73x
Exminster 1 38.76x
Ickenham 1 212.77x
Kingskerswell 1 84.03x
Manchester 1 0.54x
Mawnan 1 161.29x
Over Darwen 1 3.06x
Paddington London 1 0.79x
Pinhoe 1 156.25x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.65x
Uttoxeter 1 16.81x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
William 26
Thomas 11
George 9
James 9
Robert 8
Alfred 7
Charles 7
Edward 5
Richard 4
Albert 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
Edwin 2
Emanuel 2
Ezra 2
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Henry 2
Walter 2
Arthur 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fredrck. 1
Fredrick 1
Leonard 1
Peter 1
Sydney 1
Wm.H. 1
Wm.Hy. 1

FAQ

Laskey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Laskey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 352 people were recorded with the Laskey surname. That placed it at #8,718 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Laskey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016. That gives Laskey a modern rank of #9,701.

What does the Laskey surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who manufactured locks or keys.

What does the Laskey map show?

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