NameCensus.

UK surname

Laybourn

A locational surname denoting someone from a place called Leybourn or Layburn.

In the 1881 census there were 256 people recorded with the Laybourn surname, ranking it #10,885 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 394, ranked #12,012, down from #10,885 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Darlington and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Hartlepool and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Laybourn is 454 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 53.9%.

1881 census count

256

Ranked #10,885

Modern count

394

2016, ranked #12,012

Peak year

2002

454 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Laybourn had 256 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,885 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 394 in 2016, ranked #12,012.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 441 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Laybourn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Laybourn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Laybourn 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 155 #12,604
1861 historical 216 #11,273
1881 historical 256 #10,885
1891 historical 309 #10,848
1901 historical 336 #10,762
1911 historical 441 #8,638
1997 modern 435 #10,351
1998 modern 440 #10,581
1999 modern 433 #10,807
2000 modern 439 #10,650
2001 modern 433 #10,561
2002 modern 454 #10,367
2003 modern 432 #10,635
2004 modern 430 #10,697
2005 modern 406 #11,061
2006 modern 401 #11,237
2007 modern 394 #11,508
2008 modern 388 #11,745
2009 modern 410 #11,503
2010 modern 420 #11,536
2011 modern 410 #11,644
2012 modern 412 #11,479
2013 modern 412 #11,647
2014 modern 409 #11,808
2015 modern 401 #11,889
2016 modern 394 #12,012

Geography

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Where Laybourns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Darlington, Gateshead, Ryton and Monkwearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Hartlepool, Manchester, Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Darlington Durham
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Ryton Durham
5 Monkwearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 066 County Durham
2 Hartlepool 002 Hartlepool
3 Manchester 053 Manchester
4 Sunderland 026 Sunderland
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 014 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Laybourn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Laybourn

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Laybourn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Laybourn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Laybourn is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Laybourn is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Laybourn falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Laybourn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Laybourn

The surname Laybourn is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from a place name, possibly derived from the Old English words "leah," meaning a meadow or woodland clearing, and "burna," referring to a small stream or brook. This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with those who resided near a stream in a meadow or clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Laybourn can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century, where it appears as "Layburn." This historical record provides valuable insight into the name's ancient origins and its presence in the northern English county during that era.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "Layburne" and "Leyburn," reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling that were common during that time period. These variations likely arose due to local dialects and the interpretation of scribes and record-keepers.

The Laybourn surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Sir Roger Laybourn (1537-1616), a prominent English judge and legal scholar who served as the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from 1605 to 1612. His contributions to the legal system and his distinguished career as a jurist have left a lasting legacy.

Another individual of significance was John Laybourn (1640-1710), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Essex from 1698 until his death. He was known for his religious writings and his dedication to the Church of England.

In the 18th century, the name Laybourn appeared in connection with various place names, such as Laybourn Hill in Yorkshire and Laybourn Farm in Lincolnshire. These locations likely derived their names from families or individuals bearing the Laybourn surname, further solidifying the name's association with specific regions of England.

Additionally, the name Laybourn has been linked to prominent figures in the arts and literature. One notable example is the English poet and writer Thomas Laybourn (1792-1876), whose works contributed to the literary landscape of the 19th century.

Lastly, the surname Laybourn is also connected to military history, with individuals such as Captain William Laybourn (1825-1901), who served in the British Army and fought in various campaigns during the 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Laybourn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Laybourn 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. Durham leads with 120 Laybourns recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.03x.

County Total Index
Durham 120 16.03x
Yorkshire 50 2.00x
Middlesex 23 0.91x
Northumberland 23 6.14x
Lancashire 7 0.23x
Midlothian 7 2.08x
Lincolnshire 6 1.49x
Surrey 6 0.49x
Leicestershire 5 1.79x
Cumberland 4 1.85x
Suffolk 4 1.30x
Staffordshire 2 0.24x
Hampshire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Winlaton in Durham leads with 26 Laybourns recorded in 1881 and an index of 362.12x.

Place Total Index
Winlaton 26 362.12x
Monkwearmouth Shore 15 102.60x
Sunderland 14 105.90x
Cockerton 13 541.67x
Newburn Hall 12 1690.14x
Great Lumley 10 781.25x
Holy Trinity 9 15.00x
Crawcrook 8 2051.28x
Whickham 8 116.11x
Darlington 7 24.21x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 5.16x
Golborne 7 179.95x
St Giles In Fields London 7 56.68x
Manthorpe Cum Little 6 194.81x
Newburn 6 560.75x
Waldridge 6 480.00x
Ashby De La Zouch 5 77.28x
Brightside Bierlow 5 10.22x
Byker 5 27.01x
Gomersal 5 42.96x
Bradfield 4 41.62x
Hartlepool 4 37.59x
Little Kelk 4 5000.00x
South Kirkby 4 727.27x
Sproughton 4 740.74x
St George Hanover Square 4 9.02x
Sutton 4 45.10x
Tanfield 4 44.94x
York St Nicholas In 4 285.71x
Chelsea London 3 3.96x
Great Kelk 3 1875.00x
Harrington 3 114.50x
Islington London 3 1.23x
St Martin In Fields 3 19.91x
Wansford 3 1666.67x
Great Driffield 2 39.06x
Hilderthorpe 2 158.73x
Lichfield St Chad 2 104.71x
Stella 2 312.50x
Wolsingham 2 29.33x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 1.97x
Hampstead London 1 2.55x
Holy Trinity St Mary 1 26.32x
Mitcham 1 12.90x
Nafferton 1 94.34x
Newbottle 1 24.45x
Newtown Nr Newbury 1 500.00x
Sand Hutton 1 476.19x
Sheffield 1 1.26x
Southwark St John 1 12.99x
St Magnus Martyr London 1 1250.00x
Westminster St Margaret 1 8.24x
Workington 1 8.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Sarah 13
Elizabeth 10
Ann 7
Isabella 5
Ellen 4
Margaret 4
Caroline 3
Eleanor 3
Jane 3
Ada 2
Annie 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Frances 2
Francis 2
Harriet 2
Maria 2
Millicent 2
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Berth.Ann 1
Cathrine 1
Charlote 1
Dolcha 1
Dorothy 1
Eliza 1
Elizebth. 1
Elizth.Hurst 1
Georgina 1
Hannah 1
Jemima 1
Kate 1
Louise 1
Magdalene 1
Magdelin 1
Margt. 1
Martha 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Rosina 1
Susanne 1
Sushana 1
Theodosia 1
Ursula 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 18
Robert 16
William 15
Thomas 13
Joseph 10
George 7
Henry 6
James 6
Charles 5
Nicholas 3
Walter 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Richard 2
Thos. 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Elijah 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Harry 1
Jesse 1
Jos. 1
Mary 1
Moses 1
Nathan 1
Richd 1
Rowland 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Laybourn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Laybourn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 256 people were recorded with the Laybourn surname. That placed it at #10,885 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Laybourn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 394 in 2016. That gives Laybourn a modern rank of #12,012.

What does the Laybourn surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone from a place called Leybourn or Layburn.

What does the Laybourn map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Laybourn 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.