UK surname
An occupational surname referring to an attorney, one who practices or studies law.
In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Lawyer surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 23, ranked #36,457, down from #24,843 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lawyer is 437 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.9%.
1881 census count
62
Ranked #24,843
Modern count
23
2016, ranked #36,457
Peak year
1861
437 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lawyer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lawyer 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 | 26 | #28,667 |
| 1861 | historical | 437 | #5,898 |
| 1881 | historical | 62 | #24,843 |
| 1891 | historical | 194 | #15,277 |
| 1901 | historical | 63 | #27,134 |
| 1911 | historical | 140 | #18,657 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 22 | #35,687 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 23 | #35,588 |
| 2001 | modern | 21 | #35,646 |
| 2002 | modern | 22 | #35,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 24 | #35,697 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 24 | #35,981 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 26 | #36,012 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 26 | #36,220 |
| 2011 | modern | 28 | #36,071 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 25 | #36,276 |
| 2014 | modern | 23 | #36,417 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 23 | #36,457 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha, London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. 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 | Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha | Staffordshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lawyer 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 Lawyer, 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 Lawyer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lawyer 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, Lawyer 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 Lawyer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lawyer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "LAWYER" is an occupational name that originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "law" meaning "law" and the suffix "-yer" meaning "one who does or is associated with." This indicates that the name was initially given to individuals who worked as lawyers or had some association with the legal profession.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "LAWYER" can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which mention a John le Lawyere. This suggests that the name was already in use by the early 14th century.
In the 15th century, the name appeared in various records across different regions of England. For example, in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1465, there is a reference to a Robert Lawer. Similarly, in the Yorkshire Feet of Fines from 1486, a Thomas Lawer is mentioned.
As the name spread across England, it underwent various spelling variations due to regional dialects and variations in pronunciation. Some of these variants include Lauer, Lawer, and Lawyor.
One notable individual with the surname "LAWYER" was John Lawyer, who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was a renowned English explorer and navigator who is credited with being one of the first Europeans to explore parts of the Australian coastline.
Another prominent figure was William Lawyer, a Scottish philosopher and mathematician who lived from 1604 to 1677. He made significant contributions to the field of logic and is remembered for his work on syllogisms.
In the 18th century, the name appeared in various parish records and legal documents across England. For instance, the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, mention a Thomas Lawyer who was baptized in 1723.
One notable bearer of the name in the 19th century was Edward Lawyer, an English botanist and naturalist who lived from 1807 to 1884. He is best known for his extensive research on the flora of the British Isles and his contributions to the field of plant taxonomy.
Another individual of note was Mary Lawyer, an American activist and suffragette who lived from 1845 to 1920. She played a significant role in the women's rights movement and campaigned tirelessly for the right of women to vote.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lawyer 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 14 Lawyers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 14 | 2.12x |
| Middlesex | 13 | 2.34x |
| Surrey | 9 | 3.32x |
| Essex | 7 | 6.38x |
| Cumberland | 5 | 10.45x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 2.63x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.36x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.92x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.53x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.53x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birkdale in Lancashire leads with 9 Lawyers recorded in 1881 and an index of 538.92x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birkdale | 9 | 538.92x |
| Leyton | 6 | 317.46x |
| Limehouse London | 5 | 81.97x |
| Paddington London | 4 | 19.57x |
| Workington | 4 | 145.99x |
| Hammersmith London | 3 | 21.91x |
| North Meols | 3 | 46.44x |
| Wandsworth | 3 | 56.07x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 4.13x |
| Portsmouth | 2 | 76.34x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 26.18x |
| Batley | 1 | 19.08x |
| Battersea | 1 | 4.89x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 11.89x |
| Croydon | 1 | 6.65x |
| Deptford St Nicholas | 1 | 66.23x |
| Gorton | 1 | 16.13x |
| Great Bromley | 1 | 714.29x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 3.21x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 7.55x |
| Kelsale | 1 | 526.32x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 15.36x |
| Penge | 1 | 28.17x |
| St Cuthbert W O | 1 | 42.92x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 5.03x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 4.48x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lawyer 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 Lawyer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Lawyer surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 23 in 2016. That gives Lawyer a modern rank of #36,457.
An occupational surname referring to an attorney, one who practices or studies law.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lawyer 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.