UK surname
An English habitational surname derived from the town of Lathom in Lancashire.
In the 1881 census there were 196 people recorded with the Lathom surname, ranking it #13,006 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 44, ranked #35,224, down from #13,006 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Toxteth Park and Tarleton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lathom is 455 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 77.6%.
1881 census count
196
Ranked #13,006
Modern count
44
2016, ranked #35,224
Peak year
1901
455 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lathom surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lathom surname density by area, 1881 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 | 107 | #16,402 |
| 1861 | historical | 147 | #15,539 |
| 1881 | historical | 196 | #13,006 |
| 1891 | historical | 291 | #11,388 |
| 1901 | historical | 455 | #8,641 |
| 1911 | historical | 64 | #26,435 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 49 | #33,000 |
| 1999 | modern | 61 | #31,971 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 51 | #32,850 |
| 2002 | modern | 61 | #32,286 |
| 2003 | modern | 55 | #32,895 |
| 2004 | modern | 49 | #33,647 |
| 2005 | modern | 55 | #33,349 |
| 2006 | modern | 52 | #33,923 |
| 2007 | modern | 46 | #34,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 47 | #34,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 46 | #34,918 |
| 2010 | modern | 47 | #35,009 |
| 2011 | modern | 42 | #35,283 |
| 2012 | modern | 39 | #35,415 |
| 2013 | modern | 41 | #35,384 |
| 2014 | modern | 42 | #35,350 |
| 2015 | modern | 41 | #35,383 |
| 2016 | modern | 44 | #35,224 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Toxteth Park, Tarleton, Preston and Liverpool. 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 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 2 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 3 | Tarleton | Lancashire |
| 4 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lathom 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 Lathom, 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 Lathom surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lathom 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, Lathom 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 Lathom is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lathom, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lathom originated in Lancashire, England, during the medieval period. It derives from the Old English words "læd" meaning a way or path, and "ham" meaning a homestead or village, thus signifying a settlement on a road or path.
Lathom is closely associated with the town of Lathom, near Ormskirk in Lancashire. The area's name can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Lethome". This early record suggests the surname was adopted by families residing in or near this location.
One of the earliest known bearers of the Lathom surname was Robert de Lathom, who lived in the late 12th century. He was a prominent figure in Lancashire and held the manor of Lathom. Records from the 13th century mention William de Lathom, who was likely a descendant of Robert.
The Lathom family gained significant influence and prestige in the region. They were responsible for the construction of Lathom House, a prominent fortified manor house near Ormskirk, in the 14th century. This structure played a crucial role during the English Civil War when it was besieged by Parliamentarian forces in 1644.
One notable member of the Lathom family was Thomas de Lathom (1367-1439), who served as a Member of Parliament for Lancashire in the early 15th century. Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas de Lathom (1496-1552), who held the position of Sheriff of Lancashire and was knighted by King Henry VIII.
During the Tudor period, Jane Lathom (1540-1553) gained recognition as one of the ladies-in-waiting to Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth I. Jane's father, John Lathom (1510-1578), was a prominent landowner and served as a Member of Parliament for Lancashire.
The surname Lathom has also been associated with various locations across England, such as Lathom Park, Lathom Chapel, and Lathom Meadows, reflecting the family's historical ties to the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lathom 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. Lancashire leads with 177 Lathoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.92x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 177 | 7.92x |
| Essex | 4 | 1.08x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.21x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 0.69x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 0.88x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.34x |
| Dorset | 1 | 0.81x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.31x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 0.61x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tarleton in Lancashire leads with 25 Lathoms recorded in 1881 and an index of 2032.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tarleton | 25 | 2032.52x |
| Chorley | 15 | 119.71x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 14 | 78.92x |
| Toxteth Park | 14 | 18.51x |
| Preston | 10 | 16.73x |
| Liverpool | 9 | 6.63x |
| Burnley | 7 | 37.21x |
| Wigan | 7 | 22.42x |
| Kirkdale | 6 | 15.97x |
| Clitheroe | 5 | 76.10x |
| Dalton In Furness | 5 | 58.00x |
| Rainhill | 5 | 349.65x |
| Sharples | 5 | 206.61x |
| Skelmersdale | 5 | 134.41x |
| Hackney London | 4 | 3.79x |
| Halliwell | 4 | 49.20x |
| West Ham | 4 | 4.88x |
| Barrow In Furness | 3 | 9.87x |
| Everton | 3 | 4.21x |
| Longton | 3 | 319.15x |
| Newton | 3 | 17.42x |
| North Meols | 3 | 13.72x |
| Walton Le Dale | 3 | 50.00x |
| Melling | 2 | 384.62x |
| Norwich St Peter | 2 | 105.26x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 2 | 7.52x |
| Salford | 2 | 3.04x |
| West Derby | 2 | 3.06x |
| Atherton | 1 | 12.30x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 0.63x |
| Blackburn | 1 | 1.68x |
| Bold | 1 | 181.82x |
| Buxton | 1 | 40.16x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 5.54x |
| Cheetham | 1 | 6.00x |
| Clayton Le Moors | 1 | 23.09x |
| Great Little Marsden | 1 | 9.78x |
| Haslingden | 1 | 10.81x |
| Ince In Makerfield | 1 | 9.62x |
| Kearsley | 1 | 21.28x |
| Litton Cheney | 1 | 333.33x |
| Lydiate | 1 | 142.86x |
| Madeley | 1 | 16.78x |
| Maghull | 1 | 107.53x |
| Mawdesley | 1 | 166.67x |
| Ormskirk | 1 | 23.42x |
| Rainford | 1 | 41.32x |
| Windle | 1 | 7.96x |
| Wycombe | 1 | 11.79x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lathom 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 Lathom surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 196 people were recorded with the Lathom surname. That placed it at #13,006 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 44 in 2016. That gives Lathom a modern rank of #35,224.
An English habitational surname derived from the town of Lathom in Lancashire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lathom 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.