NameCensus.

UK surname

Leaman

A surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "leah," meaning a meadow or clearing.

In the 1881 census there were 621 people recorded with the Leaman surname, ranking it #5,686 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 680, ranked #7,884, down from #5,686 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Tormoham with Torquay and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leaman is 831 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.5%.

1881 census count

621

Ranked #5,686

Modern count

680

2016, ranked #7,884

Peak year

1891

831 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Leaman had 621 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,686 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 680 in 2016, ranked #7,884.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 831 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Leaman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Leaman surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Leaman 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 369 #6,443
1861 historical 489 #5,336
1881 historical 621 #5,686
1891 historical 831 #4,890
1901 historical 717 #6,159
1911 historical 717 #5,963
1997 modern 732 #6,993
1998 modern 768 #6,981
1999 modern 772 #6,985
2000 modern 748 #7,113
2001 modern 724 #7,169
2002 modern 761 #7,035
2003 modern 727 #7,169
2004 modern 703 #7,367
2005 modern 699 #7,356
2006 modern 675 #7,585
2007 modern 677 #7,645
2008 modern 672 #7,711
2009 modern 692 #7,705
2010 modern 704 #7,746
2011 modern 694 #7,738
2012 modern 674 #7,852
2013 modern 699 #7,734
2014 modern 686 #7,905
2015 modern 685 #7,854
2016 modern 680 #7,884

Geography

Back to top

Where Leamans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes, Ashburton and Foulsham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge and West Devon. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
3 London parishes London 1
4 Ashburton Devon
5 Foulsham Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 008 Teignbridge
2 West Devon 003 West Devon
3 Teignbridge 010 Teignbridge
4 Teignbridge 006 Teignbridge
5 Teignbridge 004 Teignbridge

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Leaman

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Leaman

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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Leaman is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Leaman is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Leaman 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 Leaman 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 Leaman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Leaman

The surname Leaman is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "leah," which referred to a meadow, clearing, or woodland glade. This suggests that the name likely originated as a topographic name, describing someone who lived near or in such a location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Leamann." This entry provides evidence of the name's existence in the late 11th century. Over time, variations in spelling emerged, including Leeman, Leaman, and Leman.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in the Assize Rolls of Northumberland, a collection of legal records from the period. These rolls mention a certain "William Leman," indicating the presence of the surname in that region during the 1200s.

A notable figure bearing this name was Sir John Leaman, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived from 1580 to 1648. He served as a Member of Parliament for the city of London and played a significant role in the English Civil War.

Another historical figure was Robert Leaman, born in 1650 in Yorkshire, England. He was a respected author and scholar who wrote extensively on theological and philosophical subjects during the late 17th century.

In the 18th century, the name can be found in records from the American colonies. One such instance is that of William Leaman, a Quaker settler who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1720 and was among the early inhabitants of what is now Chester County.

A notable American bearing this name was Samuel Leaman, born in 1792 in Pennsylvania. He was a successful businessman and philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of the city of Lancaster, where he lived and worked.

Another prominent figure was Sir William Leaman, a British Army officer who lived from 1836 to 1912. He served in various campaigns throughout the British Empire, including the Anglo-Zulu War and the Second Boer War, and was awarded several military honors for his service.

While the surname Leaman may have had various spellings and origins, it has left a lasting imprint on history, with numerous individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Leaman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leaman 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. Devon leads with 329 Leamans recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.28x.

County Total Index
Devon 329 25.28x
Middlesex 73 1.17x
Yorkshire 51 0.82x
Kent 23 1.08x
Surrey 22 0.72x
Gloucestershire 19 1.55x
Channel Islands 14 7.56x
Lancashire 11 0.15x
Norfolk 10 1.04x
Suffolk 10 1.31x
Warwickshire 10 0.63x
Hampshire 8 0.62x
Somerset 7 0.70x
Wiltshire 7 1.27x
Monmouthshire 6 1.33x
Shropshire 6 1.11x
Worcestershire 5 0.61x
Berkshire 4 0.85x
Cornwall 4 0.57x
Sussex 4 0.38x
Glamorgan 3 0.28x
Royal Navy 3 4.03x
Cheshire 2 0.14x
Cumberland 2 0.37x
Lincolnshire 2 0.20x
Bedfordshire 1 0.31x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.60x
Essex 1 0.08x
Flintshire 1 0.59x
Isle of Man 1 0.86x
Midlothian 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tormoham in Devon leads with 63 Leamans recorded in 1881 and an index of 114.40x.

Place Total Index
Tormoham 63 114.40x
Widdecombeinthe Moor 36 2068.97x
Ashburton 35 562.70x
Hornsey 14 17.71x
Newton Abbot St Mary 14 128.21x
Chagford 13 416.67x
Bristol St Paul In 12 36.73x
Highweek 12 258.62x
St Maryde Castro 12 263.74x
Drypool 11 115.91x
East Stonehouse 11 42.90x
Hackney London 11 3.14x
Aston 10 2.30x
Buckfastleigh 10 166.39x
Lambeth 10 1.83x
Snodland 10 165.29x
Totnes 10 131.41x
Bishopsteignton 9 365.85x
Mexborough 9 73.17x
West Teignmouth 9 90.36x
Exeter St Sidwell 8 26.84x
Kensington London 8 2.30x
Newington 8 3.46x
Throwleigh 8 1176.47x
Chelsea London 7 3.72x
Warminster 7 57.76x
Bacton 6 437.96x
Christow 6 476.19x
Deptford St Paul 6 3.65x
Egg Buckland 6 270.27x
Ilsington 6 263.16x
Islington London 6 0.99x
Sheffield 6 3.04x
Southampton St Mary 6 7.45x
St Pancras London 6 1.19x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 5 44.76x
North Bovey 5 531.91x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 5 85.47x
Thornaby 5 21.60x
Edmonton 4 7.94x
Gidleigh 4 1481.48x
Lanreath 4 330.58x
Lustleigh 4 506.33x
Malborough 4 77.37x
Manchester 4 1.20x
Monmouth 4 33.36x
Plymouth Charles The 4 6.98x
Rattery 4 470.59x
Rochester St Margaret 4 17.78x
St Marylebone London 4 1.20x
West Derby 4 1.84x
Wombleton 4 634.92x
Beverley St Mary 3 33.15x
Brushford 3 428.57x
Colebrooke 3 197.37x
Exeter Holy Trinity 3 58.82x
Great Yarmouth 3 3.77x
Horsted Keynes 3 121.95x
Hutton Cranswick 3 114.94x
Madeley 3 15.14x
Manaton 3 422.54x
Minsterley 3 150.75x
Paddington London 3 1.30x
Rotherham 3 8.59x
Royal Navy 3 4.71x
Sampford Spiney 3 340.91x
Staverton 3 187.50x
Steventon 3 151.52x
Stoke Damerel 3 3.29x
Tavistock 3 20.23x
Uffculme 3 77.32x
Wolborough 3 18.24x
Yardley 3 14.36x
Battersea 2 0.87x
Crediton 2 16.22x
Grouville 2 38.76x
Lyncombe Widcombe 2 7.59x
Okehampton 2 40.73x
Otham 2 250.00x
St Peter Le Poer London 2 370.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 46
Elizabeth 28
Sarah 22
Emma 14
Ellen 12
Ann 11
Eliza 11
Alice 10
Louisa 9
Jane 8
Annie 7
Emily 7
Charlotte 6
Hannah 6
Harriett 6
Martha 6
Susan 6
Elizth. 5
Clara 4
Edith 4
Fanny 4
Laura 4
Agnes 3
Amelia 3
Anne 3
Caroline 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Gertrude 3
Ruth 3
Ada 2
Anna 2
Beatrice 2
Bertha 2
Harriet 2
Ida 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Maud 2
Minnie 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Alma 1
Augusta 1
Avis 1
Dorathy 1
E. 1
Eda 1
Eliz. 1
Verbena 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 45
John 41
George 30
Thomas 21
James 17
Henry 16
Richard 12
Samuel 11
Charles 9
Joseph 7
Alfred 6
Albert 5
Frederick 5
Robert 5
Alexander 4
Arthur 4
Edward 4
Ernest 4
Harry 3
Thos. 3
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Percy 2
Andrew 1
Benjamin 1
Charley 1
Chas. 1
Ed. 1
Elias 1
Felix 1
Frances 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.L. 1
H. 1
Herbert 1
Jonas 1
Jonathan 1
Joshua 1
Lewis 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Randall 1
Reuben 1
Richd. 1
Wm.Jas. 1

FAQ

Leaman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Leaman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 621 people were recorded with the Leaman surname. That placed it at #5,686 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Leaman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 680 in 2016. That gives Leaman a modern rank of #7,884.

What does the Leaman surname mean?

A surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "leah," meaning a meadow or clearing.

What does the Leaman map show?

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