NameCensus.

UK surname

Lassey

A surname with several possible origins, including from a location in France or Germany.

In the 1881 census there were 255 people recorded with the Lassey surname, ranking it #10,924 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 103, ranked #30,515, down from #10,924 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Batley and Wakefield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Calderdale, South Lakeland and Hambleton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lassey is 261 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 59.6%.

1881 census count

255

Ranked #10,924

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

1891

261 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lassey had 255 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,924 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 261 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Lassey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lassey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lassey 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 198 #10,483
1861 historical 179 #13,127
1881 historical 255 #10,924
1891 historical 261 #12,337
1901 historical 249 #13,172
1911 historical 244 #13,127
1997 modern 100 #26,901
1998 modern 106 #26,689
1999 modern 106 #26,885
2000 modern 111 #26,111
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 89 #29,380
2004 modern 96 #28,605
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 107 #27,179
2007 modern 111 #26,954
2008 modern 108 #27,684
2009 modern 113 #27,520
2010 modern 112 #28,336
2011 modern 111 #28,294
2012 modern 107 #29,017
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 101 #30,816
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Lasseys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Batley, Wakefield, Bradford and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Calderdale, South Lakeland, Hambleton and Lambeth. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Calderdale 027 Calderdale
2 South Lakeland 001 South Lakeland
3 Hambleton 008 Hambleton
4 Lambeth 024 Lambeth
5 Calderdale 001 Calderdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lassey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lassey

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Lassey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Lassey 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Lassey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lassey is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lassey falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lassey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Lassey

The surname Lassey has its origins in France, with records indicating its use dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "lassé," meaning "tired" or "weary." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname given to someone who appeared fatigued or exhausted.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the parish records of Normandy, where a certain Pierre Lassey was mentioned in 1598. It's possible that the name originated in this region before spreading to other parts of France.

In the 17th century, the Lassey surname appeared in various historical documents, including legal contracts and land records. For example, a Jean Lassey was listed as a landowner in the village of Châteaudun in 1627.

The name Lassey has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the most prominent was Jacques Lassey (1670-1753), a French painter renowned for his portraiture and religious works. His paintings can be found in various churches and museums across France.

Another figure of note was Pierre-François Lassey (1718-1790), a French lawyer and political theorist who wrote extensively on the concept of natural rights and the social contract. His writings influenced the philosophical discourse of the Enlightenment period.

In the 19th century, the Lassey surname gained recognition through the works of Émile Lassey (1827-1898), a prolific French author and playwright. Some of his most famous works include "Le Voyage de Monsieur Perrichon" and "La Famille Benoiton."

The name Lassey has also been linked to several places in France. For instance, there is a small village called Lassay in the department of Mayenne, which may have contributed to the development of the surname in that region.

Additionally, variations of the name, such as Lassé and Lassaye, have been recorded throughout history, reflecting the fluidity of spelling and pronunciation across different regions and time periods.

While the surname Lassey may not be among the most common in France today, its rich history and connections to notable figures and places make it a fascinating subject for study and exploration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lassey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lassey 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. Yorkshire leads with 212 Lasseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.60x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 212 8.60x
Lancashire 36 1.22x
Middlesex 4 0.16x
Durham 2 0.27x
Surrey 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ovenden in Yorkshire leads with 83 Lasseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 756.61x.

Place Total Index
Ovenden 83 756.61x
Morley 37 288.84x
Huddersfield 25 69.62x
Blackburn 13 16.55x
Hipperholme Cum 8 73.87x
Southowram 7 93.09x
Gildersome 6 202.70x
Knaresborough 6 155.04x
Wortley In Bramley 6 30.74x
Beeston 5 200.80x
Church 5 119.90x
Livesey 5 96.53x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 5 43.67x
Bethnal Green London 4 3.70x
Horton In Bradford 4 10.39x
Kirkdale 4 8.06x
Preston 4 5.07x
Preston 4 294.12x
Bardsey Cum Rigton 3 1111.11x
Wakefield 3 15.86x
Accrington 2 7.45x
Durham St Nicholas 2 109.89x
Everton 2 2.13x
Hunslet 2 5.20x
Leeds 2 1.44x
Lindley Cum Quarmby 2 32.15x
Pudsey 2 15.19x
Almondbury 1 8.39x
Halifax 1 2.76x
Lambeth 1 0.46x
Oswaldtwistle 1 9.59x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Ellen 7
Hannah 7
Emma 6
Jane 6
Sarah 6
Alice 5
Ann 5
Nancy 5
Elizabeth 4
Martha 3
Rachel 3
Ruth 3
Annie 2
Betsey 2
Betty 2
Clara 2
Emily 2
Harriet 2
Lavinia 2
Margaret 2
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Blanche 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elleanor 1
Eunice 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Francess 1
Grace 1
Isabella 1
Lettice 1
Lily 1
Lucy 1
Margeret 1
Maria 1
Marian 1
Matilda 1
Peggy 1
Priscilla 1
Rohadey 1
Rose 1
Rosetta 1
Sophia 1
Tamar 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 19
William 10
Joseph 8
Henry 6
Richard 6
George 5
Harry 4
Thomas 4
Edwin 3
Fred 3
James 3
Robert 3
Abraham 2
Edgar 2
Herbert 2
Jonas 2
Araed 1
Arther 1
Arthur 1
Asa 1
Ben 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Christr. 1
Daniel 1
Dennis 1
Dick 1
Edmund 1
Erasmus 1
Fielding 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Irvine 1
Jackson 1
Jas. 1
Jethro 1
Joe 1
Jonathan 1
Michael 1
Mitchell 1
Oliver 1
Percy 1
Richd. 1
Saml. 1
Sidney 1
Thos.Hy. 1
Tom 1
Walter 1
Willie 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Lassey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lassey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 255 people were recorded with the Lassey surname. That placed it at #10,924 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lassey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Lassey a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Lassey surname mean?

A surname with several possible origins, including from a location in France or Germany.

What does the Lassey map show?

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