NameCensus.

UK surname

Learmonth

A Scottish surname originating from a place name referring to a meadow or clearing by a river mouth.

In the 1881 census there were 486 people recorded with the Learmonth surname, ranking it #6,925 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 914, ranked #6,236, up from #6,925 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, West Calder and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Berwickshire Central, West Kirkwall and IZ19.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Learmonth is 916 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 88.1%.

1881 census count

486

Ranked #6,925

Modern count

914

2016, ranked #6,236

Peak year

2015

916 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Learmonth had 486 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,925 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 914 in 2016, ranked #6,236.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 488 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Learmonth surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Learmonth surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Learmonth 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 139 #13,659
1861 historical 209 #11,596
1881 historical 486 #6,925
1891 historical 405 #8,789
1901 historical 488 #8,194
1911 historical 70 #25,853
1997 modern 852 #6,227
1998 modern 894 #6,196
1999 modern 904 #6,182
2000 modern 898 #6,184
2001 modern 867 #6,237
2002 modern 886 #6,255
2003 modern 838 #6,411
2004 modern 863 #6,282
2005 modern 865 #6,220
2006 modern 852 #6,307
2007 modern 875 #6,227
2008 modern 858 #6,374
2009 modern 870 #6,450
2010 modern 889 #6,452
2011 modern 867 #6,516
2012 modern 856 #6,497
2013 modern 886 #6,416
2014 modern 911 #6,316
2015 modern 916 #6,246
2016 modern 914 #6,236

Geography

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Where Learmonths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, West Calder, Edinburgh, Westray and Papa Westray and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Berwickshire Central, West Kirkwall, IZ19, Jedburgh and Castle Douglas. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 West Calder Edinburgh
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Westray and Papa Westray Orkney
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Berwickshire Central Scottish Borders
2 West Kirkwall Orkney Islands
3 IZ19 East Lothian
4 Jedburgh Scottish Borders
5 Castle Douglas Dumfries and Galloway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Learmonth

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Learmonth

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Learmonth, 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 Learmonth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Learmonth 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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Inner London Working Professionals

Within London, Learmonth is most associated with areas classed as Inner London Working Professionals, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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 primarily Inner London neighbourhoods are more densely populated than the Supergroup average. Residents have a younger over-all age profile than the Supergroup as a whole, and are less likely to be owner occupiers. Full time employment is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup and multiple car ownership is uncommon. Chinese and non-EU-born European migrants are less in evidence than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Learmonth is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Learmonth falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Learmonth

The surname LEARMONTH has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is a locational name derived from the lands of Learmonth in Longformacus, Berwickshire. The name is believed to have evolved from the Old English words "lefer" meaning "place where the river bends" and "munath" meaning "mouth."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The entry "Thomas de Lreremunth" is found in these rolls, indicating the presence of the LEARMONTH surname during that time.

In the 14th century, the LEARMONTH family held lands in Berwickshire and East Lothian. Sir Thomas LEARMONTH, born around 1300, was a prominent figure and served as the Sheriff of Berwick during the reign of King David II of Scotland.

The LEARMONTH name can also be found in various historical records, such as the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, which contains entries from the 15th century onwards. For instance, in 1435, a charter was granted to John LEARMONTH for the lands of Balcomie in Fife.

One notable individual with the LEARMONTH surname was Sir Thomas LEARMONTH (1616-1677), a Scottish soldier and politician who served as the Provost of Edinburgh from 1670 to 1677. He played a significant role in the city's governance during a turbulent period in Scottish history.

Another prominent figure was George LEARMONTH (1616-1684), a Scottish academic and churchman who served as the Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1663 to 1684. He was instrumental in the university's development during his tenure.

In the realm of literature, William LEARMONTH (1815-1883) was a Scottish poet and schoolmaster. Born in Perthshire, he published several volumes of poetry, including "Poems on the Abolition of Slavery" in 1838 and "Poems, Legendary and Miscellaneous" in 1863.

The LEARMONTH name has also been associated with various place names, such as Learmonth House in Longformacus, Berwickshire, and the village of Learmonth in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Overall, the surname LEARMONTH has a rich history rooted in Scotland, with connections to landholdings, military service, academia, and literature throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Learmonth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Learmonth 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. Midlothian leads with 102 Learmonths recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.06x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 102 16.06x
Orkney 63 120.78x
East Lothian 56 89.19x
Stirlingshire 54 30.88x
West Lothian 51 71.44x
Roxburghshire 50 58.23x
Lanarkshire 42 2.74x
Berwickshire 20 34.84x
Fife 18 6.41x
Angus 7 1.59x
Northumberland 6 0.85x
Dunbartonshire 4 3.14x
Aberdeenshire 3 0.68x
Clackmannanshire 3 7.66x
Lancashire 3 0.05x
Selkirkshire 2 4.66x
Middlesex 1 0.02x
Sussex 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 35 Learmonths recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.70x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 35 13.70x
Boness 27 274.39x
Lady 26 1688.31x
Barony 21 5.41x
Polmont 19 294.12x
Hawick 17 88.45x
Linlithgow 17 185.59x
South Leith 17 23.79x
Tranent 16 188.68x
Cross Burness N 15 551.47x
Ayton 14 420.42x
Falkirk 14 34.20x
Prestonkirk 13 414.01x
West Calder 13 103.83x
St Ninians 12 69.24x
Stronsay Eday 11 322.58x
Aberlady 9 552.15x
Bowden 9 720.00x
Linton 9 1011.24x
Westray Papa Westray 9 217.39x
Airth 8 360.36x
Edinburgh St Stephens 8 64.00x
Athelstaneford 7 564.52x
Cults 7 614.04x
Gladsmuir 7 250.00x
Glasgow 7 2.57x
Roxburgh 7 426.83x
Berwick Upon Tweed 6 40.13x
Borthwick 6 211.27x
Cambuslang 6 38.81x
Ceres 5 148.37x
New Monkland 5 11.03x
Temple 5 197.63x
Bathgate 4 25.81x
Cramond 4 83.16x
Dalkeith 4 31.92x
Forgan 4 74.35x
Liff Benvie 4 6.00x
Roseneath 4 163.93x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 3 3.65x
Alloa 3 15.80x
Carriden 3 92.59x
Dundee 3 1.83x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 3 19.97x
Jedburgh 3 35.63x
Manchester 3 1.19x
Yester 3 198.68x
Edinburgh St Georges 2 15.17x
Galashiels 2 12.61x
Govan 2 0.53x
Greenlaw 2 98.52x
Kennoway 2 78.43x
Legerwood 2 219.78x
Melrose 2 26.95x
North Leith 2 6.81x
Yetholm 2 117.65x
Cockpen 1 13.48x
Coldingham 1 19.38x
Denny 1 10.75x
Earlston 1 34.84x
Eastbourne 1 2.72x
Haddington 1 10.79x
Hownam 1 232.56x
Kirkwall St Ola 1 12.80x
Lanark 1 8.10x
Newbattle 1 18.42x
Penicuik 1 11.59x
South Ronaldshay 1 18.52x
St Bartholomew Less 1 40.98x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Agnes 1
Elizabeth 1
Janet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
Alexander 1
Algernon 1
Peter 1

FAQ

Learmonth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Learmonth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 486 people were recorded with the Learmonth surname. That placed it at #6,925 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Learmonth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 914 in 2016. That gives Learmonth a modern rank of #6,236.

What does the Learmonth surname mean?

A Scottish surname originating from a place name referring to a meadow or clearing by a river mouth.

What does the Learmonth map show?

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