UK surname
A surname derived from the Latin word for "broad," possibly describing a large or sturdy person.
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Late surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Darlington, London parishes and Battersea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Late is 253 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 79.2%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
253 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Late surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Late surname density by area, 1911 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 | 146 | #13,157 |
| 1861 | historical | 253 | #9,764 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 240 | #13,123 |
| 1901 | historical | 96 | #23,342 |
| 1911 | historical | 231 | #13,636 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 12 | #36,790 |
| 1999 | modern | 10 | #37,072 |
| 2000 | modern | 9 | #37,119 |
| 2001 | modern | 9 | #36,980 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 7 | #37,496 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 8 | #37,737 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Darlington, London parishes, Battersea, Portsmouth, Portsea and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. 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 | Darlington | Durham |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| 5 | Birmingham Town: Birmingham | Warwickshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Late 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 Late, 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 Late surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Late 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, Late 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 Late is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Late, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Late has its origins in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "laet," which meant "slow" or "sluggish." This term was likely used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was perceived as unhurried or leisurely in their manner.
One of the earliest known bearers of the Late surname was William le Late, who was mentioned in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297. Another early reference can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, which recorded a John le Late.
The Late name has been found in various medieval records, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed a Robert Latus in Oxfordshire. This spelling variation, "Latus," is thought to be a Latinized form of the same surname.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Late surname appeared in several historical documents across different regions of England. In 1379, a John Late was recorded in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire, while the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1416 mentioned a Thomas Laty.
Notable bearers of the Late surname throughout history include:
1. John Late (c. 1460-1537), an English clergyman who served as the Abbot of the Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary in Yorkshire.
2. William Late (c. 1509-1573), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Bedfordshire in the 16th century.
3. Thomas Late (c. 1550-1618), an English scholar and author who wrote several works on religion and theology.
4. Edward Late (c. 1620-1685), an English merchant and landowner who owned substantial properties in Devon and Somerset.
5. Mary Late (c. 1670-1742), an English philanthropist who founded several schools and charitable institutions in her hometown of Bristol.
The Late surname has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Late's Farm in Gloucestershire and Late's Wood in Oxfordshire, which may have derived from individuals or families bearing this surname in those areas.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Late 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. Lincolnshire leads with 12 Lates recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.04x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 12 | 16.04x |
| Hampshire | 7 | 7.30x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.28x |
| Shropshire | 5 | 12.37x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.86x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 2.54x |
| Essex | 2 | 2.17x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.25x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.88x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 2.85x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.72x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.09x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.18x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.63x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Grimsby in Lincolnshire leads with 9 Lates recorded in 1881 and an index of 189.47x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Great Grimsby | 9 | 189.47x |
| Portsea | 6 | 31.91x |
| Wrockwardine | 5 | 561.80x |
| St Michael Queenhithe | 3 | 10000.00x |
| Aston | 2 | 6.15x |
| Boxted | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Leeds | 2 | 7.64x |
| Weston | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Balne | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Belton | 1 | 333.33x |
| Bentley | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Bermondsey | 1 | 7.18x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 4.92x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.54x |
| Bishops Cleeve | 1 | 434.78x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 8.37x |
| East Cliffe | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Edmonton | 1 | 26.53x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 13.72x |
| Pollington | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Portsmouth | 1 | 45.25x |
| Reading St Giles | 1 | 28.99x |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 17.30x |
| Wigan | 1 | 12.89x |
| Woolwich | 1 | 16.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Late 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 Late surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Late surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Late a modern rank of #37,599.
A surname derived from the Latin word for "broad," possibly describing a large or sturdy person.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Late 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.