UK surname
A surname derived from the Middle English word "lātere," meaning one who is slow or tardy.
In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Later surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 70, ranked #33,700, down from #26,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Mottram-in-Longdendale and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Later is 104 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.6%.
1881 census count
52
Ranked #26,281
Modern count
70
2016, ranked #33,700
Peak year
1861
104 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Later surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Later 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 | 44 | #25,328 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 52 | #26,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 71 | #27,934 |
| 1901 | historical | 52 | #28,377 |
| 1911 | historical | 49 | #27,894 |
| 1997 | modern | 47 | #32,975 |
| 1998 | modern | 44 | #33,462 |
| 1999 | modern | 40 | #33,967 |
| 2000 | modern | 48 | #33,288 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 43 | #33,871 |
| 2003 | modern | 38 | #34,361 |
| 2004 | modern | 40 | #34,387 |
| 2005 | modern | 46 | #34,081 |
| 2006 | modern | 47 | #34,335 |
| 2007 | modern | 48 | #34,488 |
| 2008 | modern | 48 | #34,629 |
| 2009 | modern | 52 | #34,544 |
| 2010 | modern | 53 | #34,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 52 | #34,688 |
| 2012 | modern | 57 | #34,452 |
| 2013 | modern | 60 | #34,378 |
| 2014 | modern | 67 | #33,959 |
| 2015 | modern | 70 | #33,717 |
| 2016 | modern | 70 | #33,700 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Mottram-in-Longdendale, Lambeth, Manchester and Cheadle. 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 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 2 | Mottram-in-Longdendale | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Cheadle | Cheshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Later 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 Later, 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 Later surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Later 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, Later 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 Later is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Later, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LATER is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "laet", which meant slow or late. This may have been a descriptive name given to someone who was habitually late or slow in their actions.
The earliest recorded instance of the name LATER can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1221, where a person named William le Later is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use as a surname by the early 13th century.
In the 14th century, there are records of a Geoffrey Latere living in Norfolk in 1379, and a John Latere residing in Yorkshire in 1392. These variations in spelling, such as Latere and Lateur, were common during this time before standardized spellings became more common.
The name LATER is also associated with several place names in England, such as Latherford in Oxfordshire and Latherton in East Riding of Yorkshire. These place names may have influenced the development of the surname or been derived from individuals who bore the name.
One notable historical figure with the surname LATER was Sir Robert Later (c. 1470-1545), who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1533 and played a role in the establishment of the Royal College of Physicians.
Another prominent individual was John Later (c. 1580-1654), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "A Commentarie upon the Book of Proverbs" and "A Learned Treatise of the Sabbath".
In the 17th century, there was a Richard Later (c. 1620-1680), an English merchant and member of the East India Company, who was involved in the spice trade with India.
During the 18th century, Samuel Later (1705-1773) was a notable English author and poet, known for his works such as "The Poetical Works of Mr. Samuel Later" and "The Beauties of Poetry".
Finally, in the 19th century, there was Captain William Later (1810-1879), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy and was involved in several expeditions and surveys in the Pacific Ocean.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Later 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. Cheshire leads with 25 Laters recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.78x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cheshire | 25 | 22.78x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 2.03x |
| Leicestershire | 5 | 9.07x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.60x |
| Sussex | 3 | 3.58x |
| Essex | 1 | 1.02x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.98x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.20x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheadle in Cheshire leads with 9 Laters recorded in 1881 and an index of 428.57x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cheadle | 9 | 428.57x |
| Stockport | 8 | 141.59x |
| Ardwick | 5 | 93.99x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 5 | 37.20x |
| Newton | 5 | 109.89x |
| Newton In Macclesfield | 4 | 40000.00x |
| Stedham | 3 | 3333.33x |
| Barton Upon Irwell | 2 | 45.05x |
| Sale | 2 | 148.15x |
| Westminster St John | 2 | 33.00x |
| Woodford | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Carisbrooke | 1 | 70.92x |
| Leyton Low | 1 | 50.00x |
| Lofthouse | 1 | 135.14x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 9.45x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Later 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 Later surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Later surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 70 in 2016. That gives Later a modern rank of #33,700.
A surname derived from the Middle English word "lātere," meaning one who is slow or tardy.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Later 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.