UK surname
A locative surname referring to someone from Lathom, Lancashire.
In the 1881 census there were 107 people recorded with the Laytham surname, ranking it #18,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #18,982 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Mitton, Manchester and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Laytham is 124 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 53.3%.
1881 census count
107
Ranked #18,982
Modern count
50
2016, ranked #34,889
Peak year
1891
124 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Laytham surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Laytham 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 | 121 | #15,049 |
| 1861 | historical | 108 | #19,856 |
| 1881 | historical | 107 | #18,982 |
| 1891 | historical | 124 | #20,818 |
| 1901 | historical | 82 | #25,019 |
| 1911 | historical | 120 | #20,447 |
| 1997 | modern | 55 | #32,114 |
| 1998 | modern | 61 | #31,841 |
| 1999 | modern | 61 | #31,971 |
| 2000 | modern | 60 | #32,124 |
| 2001 | modern | 55 | #32,482 |
| 2002 | modern | 60 | #32,388 |
| 2003 | modern | 60 | #32,446 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 59 | #33,008 |
| 2006 | modern | 49 | #34,152 |
| 2007 | modern | 53 | #34,115 |
| 2008 | modern | 53 | #34,315 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 56 | #34,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 56 | #34,450 |
| 2012 | modern | 51 | #34,756 |
| 2013 | modern | 56 | #34,581 |
| 2014 | modern | 56 | #34,601 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 50 | #34,889 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Mitton, Manchester, Preston, Heysham and Blackburn. 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 | Mitton | Lancashire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 4 | Heysham | Lancashire |
| 5 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Laytham 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 Laytham, 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 Laytham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Laytham 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, Laytham 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 Laytham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Laytham, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Laytham has its origins in the northern English county of Lancashire. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "leah" meaning a meadow or clearing, and "ham" meaning a homestead or village. This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived in a homestead or hamlet situated in a meadow or clearing.
The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Laitham". This reference suggests that the name was already well-established in Lancashire by the late 11th century.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records as "Laytham", "Leytham", and "Leitham". These variations likely reflect the different dialects and spelling conventions of the time.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Richard de Laytham, who was recorded in the Lancashire Pipe Rolls of 1212. This suggests that the name had already acquired the modern spelling by the early 13th century.
In the 14th century, the name was associated with the village of Laytham, located near the town of Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire. This place name is believed to have derived from the same Old English roots as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and the local geography.
Notable individuals with the surname Laytham include:
1. Sir Thomas Laytham (c. 1535 - 1601), an English politician and member of parliament for Lancashire. 2. John Laytham (1670 - 1728), a British mathematician and astronomer. 3. Elizabeth Laytham (1790 - 1865), an English author and philanthropist. 4. William Laytham (1829 - 1912), a British explorer and naturalist who led expeditions to South America. 5. Sir Arthur Laytham (1875 - 1947), a British diplomat and ambassador to several countries.
Throughout its history, the surname Laytham has maintained a strong association with the county of Lancashire, where it originated and was most prevalent. It has also been carried by individuals who made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, science, literature, and exploration.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Laytham 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 80 Laythams recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.46x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 80 | 6.46x |
| Yorkshire | 16 | 1.55x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 1.42x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.64x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.19x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.39x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 16 Laythams recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.73x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | 16 | 28.73x |
| Heysham | 14 | 6086.96x |
| Preston | 9 | 27.17x |
| Clitheroe | 6 | 164.84x |
| Burnley | 5 | 47.94x |
| Cockerham | 5 | 1562.50x |
| Layton With Warbreck | 5 | 110.13x |
| Pendleton In Clitheroe | 5 | 1063.83x |
| Poulton Barre | 5 | 354.61x |
| Wolverhampton | 5 | 18.46x |
| Barnoldswick | 4 | 277.78x |
| Dalton In Furness | 4 | 83.68x |
| West Bradford | 4 | 3636.36x |
| Bradford | 3 | 51.72x |
| York St Margaret | 3 | 468.75x |
| Newington | 2 | 5.19x |
| Whickham | 2 | 69.93x |
| York St Mary | 2 | 46.73x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 3.18x |
| Horton In Bradford | 1 | 6.19x |
| Kirkham | 1 | 60.98x |
| Lowthorpe | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Newton | 1 | 10.48x |
| Newton In Clitheroe | 1 | 833.33x |
| Padiham | 1 | 33.44x |
| Teddington London | 1 | 42.37x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Laytham 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 Laytham surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 107 people were recorded with the Laytham surname. That placed it at #18,982 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Laytham a modern rank of #34,889.
A locative surname referring to someone from Lathom, Lancashire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Laytham 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.