UK surname
Of German origin, a surname referring to a young woman or girl.
In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Lass surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 91, ranked #32,109, down from #26,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Braintree, Thorpe-le-Soken and Hornsey St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lass is 106 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 85.7%.
1881 census count
49
Ranked #26,735
Modern count
91
2016, ranked #32,109
Peak year
1861
106 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lass surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lass 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 | 45 | #25,168 |
| 1861 | historical | 106 | #20,147 |
| 1881 | historical | 49 | #26,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 60 | #29,204 |
| 1901 | historical | 44 | #29,276 |
| 1911 | historical | 89 | #23,922 |
| 1997 | modern | 70 | #30,618 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 66 | #31,509 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 57 | #32,275 |
| 2002 | modern | 57 | #32,661 |
| 2003 | modern | 60 | #32,446 |
| 2004 | modern | 60 | #32,684 |
| 2005 | modern | 65 | #32,387 |
| 2006 | modern | 63 | #32,943 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 65 | #33,303 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 79 | #32,759 |
| 2011 | modern | 79 | #32,743 |
| 2012 | modern | 83 | #32,611 |
| 2013 | modern | 86 | #32,557 |
| 2014 | modern | 88 | #32,495 |
| 2015 | modern | 89 | #32,325 |
| 2016 | modern | 91 | #32,109 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Braintree, Thorpe-le-Soken, Hornsey St Mary, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) and Dean. 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 | Braintree | Essex |
| 2 | Thorpe-le-Soken | Essex |
| 3 | Hornsey St Mary | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) | Northumberland |
| 5 | Dean | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lass 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 Lass, 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 Lass surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lass 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, Lass 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 Lass is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lass, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LASS originates from England and Scotland, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English and Middle English words "las" or "lasse," meaning a young man or servant.
In medieval times, the name was often used to refer to a male servant or attendant, particularly in households or manors. The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in various historical documents from that era, such as tax rolls, parish records, and court proceedings.
One of the earliest mentions of the LASS surname is in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from 1195, where a person named Robert Lasse is listed. Another early reference is in the Curia Regis Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1203, which mentions a William Lasse.
The surname LASS is also found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1279, where a Thomas Lasse is recorded. These early records suggest that the surname was well-established in various parts of England by the 13th century.
Over time, the LASS surname evolved and took on different spellings, such as Lasse, Lass, and Lace. Some variations were influenced by regional dialects or scribal errors in record-keeping.
Notable individuals with the LASS surname throughout history include:
1. William Lass (1530-1597), an English landowner and member of the gentry from Northamptonshire. 2. John Lass (1670-1748), a Scottish clergyman and author from Aberdeenshire. 3. Elizabeth Lass (1718-1789), an English botanist and naturalist from Yorkshire. 4. James Lass (1786-1861), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. 5. Robert Lass (1901-1976), an American artist and painter known for his landscape paintings.
While the LASS surname is relatively uncommon today, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and can be traced back to its origins as an occupational name in medieval England and Scotland.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lass 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. Essex leads with 14 Lass' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.84x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 14 | 14.84x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.30x |
| Kent | 8 | 4.91x |
| Northumberland | 8 | 11.25x |
| Surrey | 5 | 2.15x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 2.79x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.89x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.36x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Harwich St Nicholas in Essex leads with 8 Lass' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1095.89x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Harwich St Nicholas | 8 | 1095.89x |
| Tynemouth | 8 | 209.97x |
| Braintree | 6 | 705.88x |
| St Marylebone London | 5 | 19.59x |
| Hammersmith London | 4 | 33.98x |
| Whitstable | 4 | 500.00x |
| Deal | 3 | 215.83x |
| Wandsworth | 3 | 65.22x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 4.80x |
| St Bartholomew Great | 2 | 465.12x |
| Burston | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Gumley | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Old Windsor | 1 | 238.10x |
| Sandwich St Peter | 1 | 588.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lass 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 Lass 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 Lass surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 91 in 2016. That gives Lass a modern rank of #32,109.
Of German origin, a surname referring to a young woman or girl.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lass 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.