UK surname
A surname derived from the word for a machine used for shaping wood, metal, or other materials by rotating it.
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Lathe surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 74, ranked #33,441, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Sedgley and Shirland. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lathe is 107 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13.8%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
74
2016, ranked #33,441
Peak year
1911
107 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lathe surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lathe 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 | 23 | #29,205 |
| 1861 | historical | 22 | #31,140 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 78 | #27,035 |
| 1901 | historical | 96 | #23,342 |
| 1911 | historical | 107 | #21,842 |
| 1997 | modern | 76 | #29,997 |
| 1998 | modern | 77 | #30,289 |
| 1999 | modern | 85 | #29,578 |
| 2000 | modern | 80 | #30,139 |
| 2001 | modern | 79 | #30,065 |
| 2002 | modern | 86 | #29,771 |
| 2003 | modern | 80 | #30,425 |
| 2004 | modern | 75 | #31,233 |
| 2005 | modern | 74 | #31,522 |
| 2006 | modern | 73 | #31,954 |
| 2007 | modern | 73 | #32,287 |
| 2008 | modern | 72 | #32,656 |
| 2009 | modern | 74 | #32,835 |
| 2010 | modern | 71 | #33,401 |
| 2011 | modern | 70 | #33,465 |
| 2012 | modern | 73 | #33,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 74 | #33,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 74 | #33,531 |
| 2015 | modern | 72 | #33,595 |
| 2016 | modern | 74 | #33,441 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Sedgley, Shirland, Bushbury and Brewood. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Shirland | Derbyshire |
| 4 | Bushbury | Staffordshire |
| 5 | Brewood | Staffordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lathe 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 Lathe, 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 Lathe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lathe 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, Lathe 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 Lathe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lathe, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lathe is of English origin and can be traced back to the early 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "læthu" which referred to a barn or granary. Over time, the word evolved to "lathe" and came to be used as a surname for individuals who lived near or worked in a barn or granary.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Lathe can be found in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1230, where a Robert de la Lathe is mentioned. This suggests that the name had already become established as a hereditary surname by this time.
In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, there is a reference to a Walter atte Lathe in Oxfordshire. The use of the preposition "atte" in this instance indicates that the surname was likely derived from a place name or location associated with a barn or granary.
During the 14th century, the surname Lathe appears in various records across England, with variations in spelling such as Laythe, Lethe, and Laith. One notable individual from this period was John Lathe, a merchant from London who is mentioned in the city's records in 1372.
In the 15th century, the surname Lathe gained prominence with the rise of a family of the same name in Yorkshire. Richard Lathe, born in 1412, was a prominent landowner and served as a member of the Parliament for Yorkshire in 1459.
Another notable figure was William Lathe, born in 1532, who was a scholar and theologian. He was the author of several works on theology and served as a rector in the Church of England.
In the 17th century, the Lathe surname is found in various parish records across England, with individuals such as John Lathe, born in 1624 in Oxfordshire, and Elizabeth Lathe, born in 1687 in Gloucestershire.
One of the most well-known individuals with the surname Lathe was Sir John Lathe, born in 1765. He was a distinguished naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the Order of the Bath for his bravery and leadership.
Overall, the surname Lathe has a rich history rooted in the English language and can be traced back to the early medieval period. It has been associated with various notable individuals throughout the centuries, reflecting its enduring presence in English society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lathe 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. Staffordshire leads with 49 Lathes recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.25x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 49 | 23.25x |
| Derbyshire | 4 | 4.09x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 2.18x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 2.34x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.99x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.47x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.16x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wednesfield in Staffordshire leads with 16 Lathes recorded in 1881 and an index of 516.13x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesfield | 16 | 516.13x |
| Brewood | 8 | 1311.48x |
| Bushbury | 7 | 1842.11x |
| Penkridge | 5 | 925.93x |
| Sedgley | 5 | 63.86x |
| Brewood Featherstone | 4 | 10000.00x |
| Shirland | 4 | 547.95x |
| Monks Coppenhall | 3 | 57.69x |
| Portsea | 3 | 11.96x |
| Weston | 2 | 259.74x |
| Wolverhampton | 2 | 12.35x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.91x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 10.06x |
| Lapley | 1 | 625.00x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 9.09x |
| Willenhall | 1 | 25.32x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lathe 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 Lathe surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Lathe surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 74 in 2016. That gives Lathe a modern rank of #33,441.
A surname derived from the word for a machine used for shaping wood, metal, or other materials by rotating it.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lathe 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.