NameCensus.

UK surname

Lawrence

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "stream" or "boundary stream" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 19,389 people recorded with the Lawrence surname, ranking it #191 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 38,015, ranked #137, up from #191 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Northamptonshire, South Somerset and Thurrock.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lawrence is 39,479 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 96.1%.

1881 census count

19,389

Ranked #191

Modern count

38,015

2016, ranked #137

Peak year

1999

39,479 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lawrence had 19,389 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #191 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 38,015 in 2016, ranked #137.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 31,139 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Lawrence surname distribution map

The map shows where the Lawrence surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Lawrence surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lawrence over time

The 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 12,519 #196
1861 historical 13,370 #183
1881 historical 19,389 #191
1891 historical 23,258 #156
1901 historical 28,028 #147
1911 historical 31,139 #118
1997 modern 37,647 #126
1998 modern 39,099 #125
1999 modern 39,479 #125
2000 modern 38,935 #126
2001 modern 37,954 #130
2002 modern 38,876 #130
2003 modern 37,577 #133
2004 modern 37,702 #133
2005 modern 37,036 #135
2006 modern 36,881 #136
2007 modern 37,209 #136
2008 modern 37,334 #136
2009 modern 38,317 #135
2010 modern 39,169 #135
2011 modern 38,496 #136
2012 modern 37,762 #136
2013 modern 38,566 #136
2014 modern 38,757 #136
2015 modern 38,281 #136
2016 modern 38,015 #137

Geography

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Where Lawrences are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Northamptonshire, South Somerset and Thurrock. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Northamptonshire 005 East Northamptonshire
2 South Somerset 021 South Somerset
3 South Somerset 019 South Somerset
4 Thurrock 018 Thurrock
5 South Somerset 017 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lawrence

These lists show first names that appear often with the Lawrence surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lawrence

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lawrence, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Lawrence surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Lawrence household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Lawrence is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lawrence is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lawrence falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lawrence is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Lawrence, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Lawrence

The surname Lawrence is of Anglo-Norman French origin, deriving from the personal name Laurence, itself coming from the Latin name Laurentius. This Latin name was initially a nickname relating to someone from Laurentum, an ancient city in Italy renowned for its laurel trees.

Lawrence first appeared as a surname in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Early records show variations like Laurence, Laurens, and Lawrance as families adopted hereditary surnames. It was particularly prevalent in counties like Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Essex.

One of the earliest known bearers was Godefridus Laurentii, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a tenant in Wiltshire. Another early entry is Ralph Laurenz listed in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1166.

In Scotland, the name traces back to the late 12th century with mentions of Hugh Laurence and William Laurence in Ayrshire charters from around 1200. The Lawrence family held lands in the Lothians region from the 13th century onwards.

Notable individuals with this surname include Sir Robert Lawrence (c.1298-1352), Lord High Treasurer of England under Edward III, and Henry Lawrence (1600-1664), an English soldier, writer and President of Cromwell's Council of State.

Other prominent bearers are Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), the acclaimed English painter and president of the Royal Academy, and Sir John Laird Mair Lawrence (1811-1879), Viceroy of India from 1864 to 1869 who helped suppress the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

A place name link exists with the village of Lawrence in Somerset, recorded as Laurencia in the Domesday survey, likely derived from the personal name Lawrence or a Norman landowner called Laurent.

The varied spellings of this distinguished surname over centuries reflect its widespread adoption across Britain from Anglo-Norman roots, with many notable bearers playing important roles throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lawrence families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lawrence surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 3,294 Lawrences recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.74x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 3,294 1.74x
Surrey 1,859 2.01x
Kent 1,475 2.28x
Essex 722 1.93x
Yorkshire 712 0.38x
Somerset 708 2.32x
Hampshire 699 1.80x
Lancashire 686 0.30x
Warwickshire 656 1.37x
Berkshire 597 4.19x
Gloucestershire 539 1.45x
Staffordshire 505 0.79x
Hertfordshire 460 3.52x
Wiltshire 422 2.52x
Northamptonshire 335 1.88x
Glamorgan 307 0.93x
Devon 283 0.72x
Herefordshire 257 3.30x
Dorset 250 2.01x
Sussex 250 0.78x
Cambridgeshire 248 2.06x
Aberdeenshire 242 1.38x
Norfolk 237 0.81x
Monmouthshire 236 1.72x
Leicestershire 226 1.07x
Suffolk 207 0.90x
Bedfordshire 189 1.92x
Cornwall 189 0.88x
Durham 188 0.33x
Angus 185 1.05x
Lincolnshire 185 0.61x
Buckinghamshire 183 1.60x
Worcestershire 181 0.73x
Cheshire 165 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 155 0.61x
Pembrokeshire 147 2.44x
Banffshire 142 3.61x
Shropshire 130 0.79x
Oxfordshire 119 1.02x
Midlothian 111 0.44x
Derbyshire 105 0.35x
Lanarkshire 104 0.17x
Northumberland 65 0.23x
Channel Islands 47 0.84x
Cumberland 43 0.26x
Perthshire 38 0.45x
Royal Navy 36 1.59x
Kincardineshire 30 1.30x
Brecknockshire 27 0.71x
Renfrewshire 24 0.16x
Carmarthenshire 21 0.26x
Huntingdonshire 19 0.50x
Morayshire 18 0.61x
Radnorshire 18 1.18x
Inverness-shire 17 0.30x
Stirlingshire 16 0.23x
Argyllshire 14 0.27x
Westmorland 14 0.34x
Fife 13 0.12x
East Lothian 12 0.48x
Kirkcudbrightshire 12 0.44x
Flintshire 10 0.20x
Selkirkshire 9 0.52x
Kinross-shire 8 1.67x
Ross-shire 8 0.15x
Denbighshire 5 0.07x
Ayrshire 4 0.03x
Montgomeryshire 4 0.09x
Rutland 4 0.29x
Caernarfonshire 3 0.04x
Dunbartonshire 3 0.06x
Roxburghshire 3 0.09x
Buteshire 2 0.17x
Clackmannanshire 2 0.13x
Isle of Man 2 0.06x
Orkney 2 0.10x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.02x
Merionethshire 1 0.03x
West Lothian 1 0.04x
Wigtownshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 353 Lawrences recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.92x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 353 1.92x
Lambeth 348 2.10x
St Pancras London 239 1.57x
Birmingham 232 1.46x
Aston 226 1.72x
Camberwell 216 1.78x
Kensington London 205 1.94x
St Marylebone London 184 1.82x
Battersea 172 2.46x
Paddington London 167 2.39x
Chelsea London 149 2.61x
Hackney London 145 1.36x
Deptford St Paul 138 2.76x
Mile End Old Town London 135 3.34x
Merriott 132 147.72x
West Ham 128 1.55x
Luton 123 7.23x
Shoreditch London 123 1.50x
Bethnal Green London 122 1.48x
Bermondsey 116 2.05x
Portsea 108 1.42x
St George Hanover Square 88 2.63x
Croydon 86 1.68x
Southampton St Mary 85 3.48x
Newington 84 1.20x
Clerkenwell London 81 1.81x
Margate St John Baptist 77 6.50x
Reading St Giles 76 5.44x
Cheltenham 71 2.47x
Leeds 65 0.61x
Poplar London 65 1.82x
Lewisham 63 1.83x
Hampstead London 61 2.06x
St Luke London 61 2.00x
Nottingham St Mary 60 0.91x
Wandsworth 60 3.29x
Bromley London 59 1.41x
Leicester St Margaret 59 1.15x
Tonbridge 59 2.53x
Thatcham 58 26.43x
Toxteth Park 58 0.76x
Bishopwearmouth 56 1.16x
Farnham 56 7.79x
Southwark St George Martyr 56 1.47x
Fontmell Magna 55 115.86x
Great Coggeshall 55 28.24x
Dundee 54 0.82x
Fulham London 54 1.96x
Raunds 53 29.17x
Liverpool 52 0.38x
Aberdeen Old Machar 50 1.36x
Crewkerne 50 15.42x
Hatfield 50 18.86x
Ware 50 13.34x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 49 1.49x
Brighton 49 0.76x
Swindon 49 3.77x
West Derby 49 0.74x
Woking 48 8.62x
Aberdare 46 2.03x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 46 0.45x
Hornsey 45 1.88x
Reading St Mary 45 3.95x
Salford 45 0.68x
St Peters 44 14.69x
Bow London 43 1.78x
Somerton 43 34.49x
Taunton St Mary 43 7.67x
Maidstone 42 2.18x
Tottenham 42 1.39x
Enfield 41 3.29x
Plumstead 41 1.90x
Wolverhampton 41 0.83x
Ystradyfodwg 41 1.41x
Clapham 40 1.69x
Kingston On Thames 40 1.80x
Wednesbury 39 2.44x
Woolwich 39 1.63x
Hillingdon 38 6.28x
Walsall Foreign 38 1.15x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lawrence surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 1,088
Elizabeth 678
Sarah 625
Jane 344
Eliza 326
Emily 320
Ann 304
Emma 298
Alice 292
Ellen 288
Annie 280
Louisa 199
Hannah 143
Ada 142
Fanny 136
Martha 130
Edith 125
Harriet 121
Caroline 114
Kate 113
Charlotte 110
Margaret 104
Maria 98
Clara 94
Florence 81
Susan 79
Rose 77
Lucy 75
Frances 72
Harriett 70
Anne 69
Amy 66
Rebecca 65
Agnes 63
Catherine 63
Matilda 63
Esther 53
Amelia 49
Jessie 49
Minnie 46
Sophia 45
Elizth. 43
Lydia 41
Julia 39
Gertrude 38
Laura 38
Susannah 36
Beatrice 31
Ethel 31
Isabella 31

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Lawrence surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 1,139
John 845
George 707
Thomas 538
James 515
Charles 493
Henry 434
Joseph 276
Alfred 256
Edward 232
Arthur 216
Frederick 203
Walter 183
Robert 163
Albert 150
Samuel 138
Richard 128
Harry 110
Frank 106
Ernest 95
Herbert 73
Edwin 72
David 62
Francis 57
Daniel 56
Benjamin 55
Wm. 52
Stephen 48
Thos. 41
Geo. 38
Sidney 36
Chas. 35
Isaac 29
Fred 27
Fredk. 26
Tom 24
Jesse 22
Alexander 21
Sydney 20
Leonard 19
Percy 19
Willm. 19
Edmund 17
Fredrick 16
Peter 16
Philip 15
Christopher 14
Lewis 14
Jno. 13
Mark 13

FAQ

Lawrence surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lawrence surname in 1881?

In 1881, 19,389 people were recorded with the Lawrence surname. That placed it at #191 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lawrence surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 38,015 in 2016. That gives Lawrence a modern rank of #137.

What does the Lawrence surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "stream" or "boundary stream" in Old English.

What does the Lawrence map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lawrence bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.