NameCensus.

UK surname

Layburn

A topographic surname derived from an Old English term meaning a small stream or brook.

In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Layburn surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 49, ranked #34,957, down from #21,690 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Otley and Dundonald. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Layburn is 126 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 41.7%.

1881 census count

84

Ranked #21,690

Modern count

49

2016, ranked #34,957

Peak year

1901

126 bearers

Map years

3

1851 to 1901

Key insights

  • Layburn had 84 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,690 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 49 in 2016, ranked #34,957.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 126 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Layburn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Layburn surname density by area, 1901 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Layburn 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 101 #17,036
1861 historical 105 #20,298
1881 historical 84 #21,690
1891 historical 81 #26,632
1901 historical 126 #19,970
1911 historical 71 #25,742
1997 modern 59 #31,734
1998 modern 61 #31,841
1999 modern 57 #32,367
2000 modern 56 #32,514
2001 modern 55 #32,482
2002 modern 53 #33,021
2003 modern 56 #32,797
2004 modern 53 #33,336
2005 modern 59 #33,008
2006 modern 49 #34,152
2007 modern 52 #34,195
2008 modern 52 #34,381
2009 modern 54 #34,431
2010 modern 56 #34,480
2011 modern 52 #34,688
2012 modern 54 #34,608
2013 modern 53 #34,715
2014 modern 55 #34,649
2015 modern 54 #34,675
2016 modern 49 #34,957

Geography

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Where Layburns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Otley, Dundonald, Brancepeth and Glasgow. 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.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Otley Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Dundonald Ayr
4 Brancepeth Durham
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Layburn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Layburn

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Layburn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Layburn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Layburn 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

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Layburn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Layburn

The surname Layburn is of English origin, specifically from the northern regions of England. It is a locational name, derived from a place name that likely referred to a burn or stream running through a clearing or meadow. The prefix "lay" is derived from the Old English word "leah," meaning a meadow or clearing, while "burn" is a Scottish and Northern English term for a small stream or brook.

The earliest known records of the surname Layburn date back to the late 12th century. One of the earliest documented instances is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1195, where a person named Roger de Laiburn is mentioned. This suggests that the name originated from a place called Layburn or a similar spelling in Yorkshire or the surrounding areas.

In the 13th century, the Layburn surname appeared in various historical records, including the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1246, where a Robert de Layburn is mentioned. This record provides evidence of the name's continued use and presence in the region during this period.

During the 14th century, the Layburn name was found in various manorial records and tax rolls. One notable example is John de Layburn, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1379. This record indicates that the name was well-established and associated with landowners or taxpayers in the area.

In the 15th century, the Layburn surname can be found in various legal documents and court records. For instance, a Thomas Layburn was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire in 1447. This suggests that the name was still prevalent in the region and associated with local landholdings or legal matters.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the Layburn surname. One such figure was Sir John Layburn (1632-1702), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Yorkshire during the late 17th century. Another notable Layburn was William Layburn (1790-1857), a British architect and surveyor who worked on various projects in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.

Other individuals with the Layburn surname include:

1. Robert Layburn (1704-1783), an English clergyman and author from Yorkshire. 2. Elizabeth Layburn (1829-1912), a British philanthropist and social reformer from Durham. 3. George Layburn (1838-1921), a Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. 4. Thomas Layburn (1867-1943), an English cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the late 19th century. 5. Edith Layburn (1872-1954), a British artist and painter known for her landscape paintings of the Yorkshire Dales.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Layburn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Layburn 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. Yorkshire leads with 33 Layburns recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.07x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 33 4.07x
Durham 17 6.98x
Fife 13 26.81x
Ayrshire 6 9.79x
Northumberland 6 4.92x
Cumberland 3 4.25x
Middlesex 3 0.37x
Lanarkshire 2 0.75x
Surrey 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Strathmiglo in Fife leads with 13 Layburns recorded in 1881 and an index of 2241.38x.

Place Total Index
Strathmiglo 13 2241.38x
Otley 8 406.09x
Dundonald 6 265.49x
Gate Fulford 6 315.79x
Ryhope 6 355.03x
West Heslerton 5 5000.00x
Linthorpe 4 82.64x
Nether Hallam 4 36.43x
Tynemouth 4 61.26x
Winlaton 4 170.94x
Middlesbrough 3 28.38x
Seaton 3 365.85x
Acton 2 41.67x
Glasgow 2 4.25x
Stockton On Tees 2 17.02x
Wingate 2 119.76x
Blenkinsopp 1 500.00x
Bowling 1 12.44x
Chirton 1 36.23x
Holy Trinity 1 5.12x
Holy Trinity St Mary 1 80.65x
Paddington London 1 3.32x
Putney 1 26.81x
Ryton 1 116.28x
Stella 1 476.19x
Whitworth 1 56.18x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Layburn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Layburn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Layburn surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Layburn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 49 in 2016. That gives Layburn a modern rank of #34,957.

What does the Layburn surname mean?

A topographic surname derived from an Old English term meaning a small stream or brook.

What does the Layburn map show?

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