NameCensus.

UK surname

Legister

A surname derived from an occupation related to legal or administrative duties.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Legister surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 123, ranked #27,115, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Croydon, Enfield and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Legister is 134 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12200.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

123

2016, ranked #27,115

Peak year

2013

134 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Legister had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 123 in 2016, ranked #27,115.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Legister surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Legister surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Legister 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1997 modern 91 #28,215
1998 modern 89 #29,026
1999 modern 84 #29,700
2000 modern 84 #29,706
2001 modern 79 #30,065
2002 modern 82 #30,181
2003 modern 100 #27,722
2004 modern 101 #27,813
2005 modern 94 #28,973
2006 modern 108 #27,015
2007 modern 117 #26,066
2008 modern 117 #26,351
2009 modern 119 #26,637
2010 modern 124 #26,582
2011 modern 131 #25,430
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 134 #25,525
2014 modern 131 #26,089
2015 modern 130 #26,093
2016 modern 123 #27,115

Geography

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Where Legisters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Croydon, Enfield, Sandwell, Lewisham and Dudley. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Croydon 036 Croydon
2 Enfield 004 Enfield
3 Sandwell 004 Sandwell
4 Lewisham 020 Lewisham
5 Dudley 011 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Legister

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Legister

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Legister surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Legister 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Legister is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Legister 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

Legister falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Legister is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Legister

The surname Legister originates from England, with roots dating back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "leger," which means a dwelling or abode, combined with the occupational suffix "-ster," indicating someone who oversees or manages something, in this case, a lodging or inn.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Legister can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, where it was spelled as "Legestre." This document was a census-like survey conducted during the reign of Edward I, providing valuable insights into the names and occupations of people living in various counties across England.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, a taxation record from 1327, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this surname in that region. The name was spelled as "Legystre" in this particular document.

The Legister surname is also linked to various place names in England, such as Legister Farm in Leicestershire and Legister Lane in Lancashire, suggesting that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their association with these locations.

Notable individuals who bore the Legister surname throughout history include:

1. John Legister (c. 1520 - 1589), an English merchant and alderman who served as the Sheriff of London in 1581. 2. Elizabeth Legister (1634 - 1701), a prominent landowner and philanthropist in Dorset, known for her contributions to the local community. 3. William Legister (1672 - 1743), an English clergyman who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire for over three decades. 4. Thomas Legister (1789 - 1867), a notable architect and surveyor responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in Yorkshire. 5. Margaret Legister (1848 - 1923), a prominent suffragette and women's rights activist who campaigned tirelessly for equal voting rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

While the Legister surname may not be as widespread as some other English surnames, its historical roots and connections to various regions and occupations throughout England's past make it a fascinating example of the rich tapestry of surnames that have emerged over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Legister families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Legister 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. Norfolk leads with 1 Legisters recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.57x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 1 67.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bramerton in Norfolk leads with 1 Legisters recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Bramerton 1 0.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Samuel 1

FAQ

Legister surname: questions and answers

How common was the Legister surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Legister surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Legister surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 123 in 2016. That gives Legister a modern rank of #27,115.

What does the Legister surname mean?

A surname derived from an occupation related to legal or administrative duties.

What does the Legister map show?

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