NameCensus.

UK surname

Lebreton

A French locational surname derived from Breton regions or places.

In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Lebreton surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 179, ranked #21,086, up from #30,215 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Southampton St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnsley, Medway and Lewisham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lebreton is 196 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 645.8%.

1881 census count

24

Ranked #30,215

Modern count

179

2016, ranked #21,086

Peak year

2011

196 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lebreton had 24 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,215 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016, ranked #21,086.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 125 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lebreton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lebreton surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lebreton 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 24 #30,215
1891 historical 57 #29,533
1901 historical 79 #25,363
1911 historical 125 #19,932
1997 modern 183 #18,642
1998 modern 192 #18,561
1999 modern 184 #19,178
2000 modern 183 #19,239
2001 modern 177 #19,357
2002 modern 187 #19,083
2003 modern 170 #20,023
2004 modern 167 #20,367
2005 modern 166 #20,379
2006 modern 171 #20,131
2007 modern 170 #20,471
2008 modern 175 #20,311
2009 modern 185 #20,010
2010 modern 190 #20,087
2011 modern 196 #19,538
2012 modern 183 #20,356
2013 modern 189 #20,273
2014 modern 189 #20,441
2015 modern 181 #20,934
2016 modern 179 #21,086

Geography

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Where Lebretons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes, Southampton St Mary and Littleham (including pt Exmouth). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnsley, Medway, Lewisham, Southwark and Sefton. 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 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
5 Littleham (including pt Exmouth) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnsley 016 Barnsley
2 Medway 033 Medway
3 Lewisham 019 Lewisham
4 Southwark 032 Southwark
5 Sefton 031 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lebreton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lebreton

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Lebreton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Lebreton household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Inner London Working Professionals

Within London, Lebreton 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

Lebreton is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lebreton falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lebreton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Lebreton

The surname LEBRETON originated in France. It is derived from the French words 'le' meaning 'the' and 'breton' referring to someone from Brittany, a cultural region in the northwest of France. The name likely originated in the Middle Ages when surnames began to be adopted.

LEBRETON was a descriptive surname given to individuals who had migrated or were descended from Brittany. Place names often influenced the development of surnames, and this name reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity within France during that period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a manuscript record of a survey ordered by William the Conqueror. The name appears as 'Le Bretun', reflecting the Old French spelling.

In the 12th century, a notable figure named Geoffroy LEBRETON was a monk and chronicler who documented the history of the abbey of Vigeois in Limousin, France. His work provides valuable insights into the ecclesiastical and social history of the region during that time.

Another noteworthy individual was Jean LEBRETON, a French philosopher and Catholic theologian born in 1588. He made significant contributions to the field of metaphysics and was a prominent figure in the intellectual circles of 17th century France.

During the 18th century, Pierre LEBRETON (1722-1790) was a French engraver and illustrator known for his intricate etchings and engravings, many of which depicted historical events and scenes from classical literature.

In the 19th century, Théodore LEBRETON (1804-1869) was a renowned French sculptor who produced numerous public monuments and statues, including the famous equestrian statue of Louis XIV in Versailles.

André LEBRETON (1891-1950) was a 20th-century French philosopher and educator who made significant contributions to the study of existentialism and phenomenology. His works explored the concepts of freedom, consciousness, and the human experience.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lebreton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lebreton 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. Channel Islands leads with 222 Lebretons recorded in 1881 and an index of 318.69x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 222 318.69x
Devon 9 1.84x
Middlesex 6 0.26x
Hertfordshire 2 1.23x
Surrey 1 0.09x
Yorkshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Helier in Channel Islands leads with 124 Lebretons recorded in 1881 and an index of 546.74x.

Place Total Index
St Helier 124 546.74x
Trinity 40 2484.47x
St Saviour 22 571.43x
St Mary 10 1250.00x
St Clement 8 754.72x
St Peter 8 398.01x
Littleham 6 167.60x
St Owen 4 218.58x
Tormoham 3 14.49x
Berkhampstead 2 54.95x
Hackney London 2 1.52x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.83x
St Martin 2 46.84x
St Peter Port 2 15.52x
Acton 1 7.26x
Grouville 1 51.55x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.63x
Sculcoates 1 2.71x
St Lawrence 1 52.63x
St Pancras London 1 0.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Philip 13
John 12
Thomas 12
Francis 9
Charles 8
George 8
William 7
Alfred 6
Albert 4
Adolphus 3
Arthur 3
Jean 3
Edouard 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Alexandre 1
Clement 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Emile 1
Everard 1
Francois 1
Geoffey 1
Gustave 1
Henry 1
James 1
Peter 1
Ph.Chrls. 1
Rene 1
Sydney 1
Thos.Ph. 1

FAQ

Lebreton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lebreton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Lebreton surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lebreton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016. That gives Lebreton a modern rank of #21,086.

What does the Lebreton surname mean?

A French locational surname derived from Breton regions or places.

What does the Lebreton map show?

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