UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a tenant farmer or one who holds land by lease.
In the 1881 census there were 60 people recorded with the Lease surname, ranking it #25,133 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 19, ranked #36,760, down from #25,133 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Hartshorn and St George in the East. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lease is 106 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.3%.
1881 census count
60
Ranked #25,133
Modern count
19
2016, ranked #36,760
Peak year
1861
106 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lease surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lease surname density by area, 1861 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 | 41 | #25,926 |
| 1861 | historical | 106 | #20,147 |
| 1881 | historical | 60 | #25,133 |
| 1891 | historical | 57 | #29,533 |
| 1901 | historical | 38 | #29,914 |
| 1911 | historical | 24 | #30,800 |
| 1997 | modern | 15 | #36,409 |
| 1998 | modern | 18 | #36,135 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 21 | #35,799 |
| 2001 | modern | 21 | #35,646 |
| 2002 | modern | 19 | #35,991 |
| 2003 | modern | 17 | #36,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 15 | #36,530 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 16 | #36,766 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 17 | #36,839 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 19 | #36,691 |
| 2014 | modern | 20 | #36,654 |
| 2015 | modern | 19 | #36,736 |
| 2016 | modern | 19 | #36,760 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Hartshorn, St George in the East, St James and Charterhouse. 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 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Hartshorn | Leicestershire |
| 3 | St George in the East | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | St James | Suffolk |
| 5 | Charterhouse | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lease 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 Lease, 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 Lease surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lease 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, Lease 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 Lease is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lease, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lease originates from England and dates back to the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "læs," which means meadow or pasture. This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived near or worked on a meadow or pastureland.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lease can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were administrative records compiled in England during the reign of King Edward I. The name appears as "de la Lese," indicating that it may have initially been a descriptive surname referring to someone living near a meadow or pasture.
In the 14th century, the name was also recorded in various forms, such as "atte Lese" and "de la Leyes," further solidifying its connection to the Old English word for meadow. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the evolution of the English language over time.
The Lease surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John de la Lese, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, England, in 1317.
Another early recorded figure was William Lease, who was born around 1450 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of the local gentry.
In the 16th century, a prominent bearer of the Lease surname was Richard Lease, born in 1525 in Somerset, England. He was a renowned scholar and translator who contributed to the English translation of the Bible known as the Bishops' Bible.
During the 17th century, the surname Lease was associated with several members of the English gentry and clergy. One notable figure was Thomas Lease, born in 1620 in Wiltshire, England. He was a distinguished clergyman and served as the Rector of Bishopstone in Wiltshire.
In the 18th century, a prominent bearer of the Lease surname was John Lease, born in 1712 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a wealthy landowner and served as a Justice of the Peace for the county.
These examples illustrate the long history and varied backgrounds of individuals who have carried the surname Lease throughout the centuries, originating from its roots in England as a descriptive name associated with meadows and pastures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lease 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 9 Leases recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.30x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 9 | 1.30x |
| Derbyshire | 7 | 7.64x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 1.21x |
| Cheshire | 6 | 4.65x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.03x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.75x |
| Devon | 4 | 3.28x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 3.49x |
| Somerset | 4 | 4.25x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 2.50x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.98x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.50x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.51x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.40x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.68x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hartshorn in Derbyshire leads with 7 Leases recorded in 1881 and an index of 2000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hartshorn | 7 | 2000.00x |
| Great Crosby | 6 | 317.46x |
| Huddersfield | 5 | 59.17x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 4 | 37.00x |
| Chudleigh | 4 | 1025.64x |
| Islington London | 4 | 7.05x |
| Kingston On Thames | 4 | 58.39x |
| Alsager | 3 | 937.50x |
| Barrow In Furness | 3 | 31.78x |
| Millbrook | 3 | 99.34x |
| Odd Rode | 3 | 468.75x |
| Rowberrow | 3 | 10000.00x |
| Cheddar | 1 | 212.77x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 5.67x |
| Coventry St Michael | 1 | 21.10x |
| Folkestone | 1 | 25.84x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 10.98x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.96x |
| Long Melford | 1 | 151.52x |
| Rainton Cum Newby | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Scarborough | 1 | 18.98x |
| Stone | 1 | 39.53x |
| Woodside Quarter | 1 | 833.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lease 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 Lease surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 60 people were recorded with the Lease surname. That placed it at #25,133 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 19 in 2016. That gives Lease a modern rank of #36,760.
An occupational surname referring to a tenant farmer or one who holds land by lease.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lease 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.