UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of footwear, derived from the Old English term "laest".
In the 1881 census there were 57 people recorded with the Laster surname, ranking it #25,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 18, ranked #36,832, down from #25,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Eling, Beckenham and St Mary Newington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Laster is 201 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.4%.
1881 census count
57
Ranked #25,575
Modern count
18
2016, ranked #36,832
Peak year
1861
201 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Laster surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Laster surname density by area, 1891 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 | 91 | #18,187 |
| 1861 | historical | 201 | #11,949 |
| 1881 | historical | 57 | #25,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 156 | #17,842 |
| 1901 | historical | 51 | #28,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 60 | #26,808 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 7 | #37,513 |
| 2000 | modern | 8 | #37,264 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 11 | #37,397 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 14 | #37,157 |
| 2016 | modern | 18 | #36,832 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Eling, Beckenham, St Mary Newington, St Mary Islington and Fressingfield. 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 | Eling | Hampshire |
| 2 | Beckenham | Kent |
| 3 | St Mary Newington | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Fressingfield | Suffolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Laster 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 Laster, 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 Laster surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Laster 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, Laster 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 Laster is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Laster, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Laster is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "læstan," meaning "to follow" or "to last." It is believed to have emerged as an occupational surname in the Middle Ages, referring to a servant or attendant who followed or assisted a person of higher rank.
The earliest known record of the name Laster can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire, dated 1195, where it appears as "Walter le Laster." This suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 12th century.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name was commonly found in various forms, such as Lestere, Lestare, and Lestour, reflecting the varying spellings and pronunciations of the era. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, the name appears as "John le Lester," indicating its continued use as a occupational descriptor.
One notable bearer of the name was William Laster, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Gloucestershire in the late 15th century. He is mentioned in several legal documents and property records from the period, including the Gloucestershire Feet of Fines from 1486.
In the 16th century, the surname Laster began to spread across England, with records showing individuals bearing the name in counties such as Wiltshire, Somerset, and Norfolk. One prominent figure was Thomas Laster (c. 1520-1583), a Protestant clergyman who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
The 17th century saw the emergence of several notable Lasters, including John Laster (1616-1689), a successful merchant and landowner in Dorset, and William Laster (1633-1701), a respected lawyer and judge who served as the Recorder of Gloucester.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Laster continued to be found across England, with notable individuals such as Samuel Laster (1751-1824), a renowned clockmaker from Worcestershire, and Emily Laster (1827-1908), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in London.
Throughout its history, the surname Laster has been associated with various occupations and professions, reflecting the diverse paths taken by those who bore the name. While its origins lie in the role of a servant or attendant, the name has since been carried by merchants, clergymen, lawyers, craftsmen, and advocates for social change.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Laster 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. Suffolk leads with 18 Lasters recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.05x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | 18 | 28.05x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 2.28x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 1.15x |
| Cumberland | 4 | 8.82x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 3.01x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.48x |
| Surrey | 3 | 1.17x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.91x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.64x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.93x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 2.02x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fressingfield in Suffolk leads with 11 Lasters recorded in 1881 and an index of 5238.10x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Fressingfield | 11 | 5238.10x |
| Mellis | 7 | 7777.78x |
| Islington London | 6 | 11.75x |
| Paddington London | 5 | 25.81x |
| Birmingham | 4 | 9.04x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 4 | 39.06x |
| St Cuthbert W O | 4 | 181.00x |
| Thornton In Fylde | 3 | 218.98x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 4.35x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 4.37x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 7.43x |
| Bradford | 1 | 7.91x |
| Croft | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Newington | 1 | 5.14x |
| Sidmouth | 1 | 158.73x |
| Southampton All Sts | 1 | 54.05x |
| Wellingborough | 1 | 40.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Laster 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 Laster surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 57 people were recorded with the Laster surname. That placed it at #25,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 18 in 2016. That gives Laster a modern rank of #36,832.
An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of footwear, derived from the Old English term "laest".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Laster 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.