NameCensus.

UK surname

Lehmann

A German occupational surname referring to a vassal, serf, or feudal tenant farmer.

In the 1881 census there were 96 people recorded with the Lehmann surname, ranking it #20,248 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 464, ranked #10,570, up from #20,248 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Nottingham St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maldon, Camden and Hart.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lehmann is 474 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 383.3%.

1881 census count

96

Ranked #20,248

Modern count

464

2016, ranked #10,570

Peak year

2015

474 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lehmann had 96 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,248 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 464 in 2016, ranked #10,570.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 272 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lehmann surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lehmann surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lehmann 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 13 #30,970
1861 historical 40 #28,970
1881 historical 96 #20,248
1891 historical 136 #19,601
1901 historical 233 #13,740
1911 historical 272 #12,205
1997 modern 331 #12,668
1998 modern 359 #12,321
1999 modern 372 #12,076
2000 modern 377 #11,903
2001 modern 370 #11,904
2002 modern 387 #11,713
2003 modern 378 #11,741
2004 modern 391 #11,468
2005 modern 399 #11,206
2006 modern 385 #11,556
2007 modern 396 #11,459
2008 modern 399 #11,494
2009 modern 398 #11,768
2010 modern 422 #11,493
2011 modern 406 #11,730
2012 modern 430 #11,065
2013 modern 452 #10,795
2014 modern 468 #10,586
2015 modern 474 #10,418
2016 modern 464 #10,570

Geography

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Where Lehmanns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Nottingham St Mary and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maldon, Camden, Hart, Westminster and Salford. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Maldon 008 Maldon
2 Camden 004 Camden
3 Hart 008 Hart
4 Westminster 015 Westminster
5 Salford 016 Salford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lehmann

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lehmann

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lehmann, 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 Lehmann surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Lehmann 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Lehmann 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

Lehmann 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

Lehmann 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 Lehmann 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Lehmann

The surname Lehmann originated in Germany, where it first appeared in records during the 13th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word "lëheman," which means "vassal" or "feudal tenant." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were individuals who held land or property under the control of a lord or noble.

The name was particularly common in the regions of Saxony and Silesia, where it can be found in various forms, such as Lehman, Leeman, and Leman. These variations likely arose due to different dialects and regional pronunciations.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Liber Censuum, a historical document compiled in the 13th century by the Roman Catholic Church, which listed individuals and their landholdings.

In the 15th century, a notable figure named Johannes Lehmann (1445-1511) was a German humanist and scholar who contributed to the revival of classical literature during the Renaissance period.

Another prominent individual with the surname was Martin Lehmann (1630-1681), a German lawyer and jurist who served as a legal advisor to the Elector of Brandenburg.

During the 18th century, Johann Georg Lehmann (1715-1767) was a German botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their classification.

In the realm of music, the composer and pianist Liza Lehmann (1862-1918) was a notable figure who composed numerous songs and chamber works, and was celebrated for her contribution to the English song repertoire.

The name Lehmann also appeared in literary circles, with the German writer and playwright Wilhelm Lehmann (1882-1968), who wrote several plays and novels that explored themes of social critique and human relationships.

Throughout its history, the surname Lehmann has maintained a strong presence in various regions of Germany, and has been carried by individuals from diverse professions, including scholars, lawyers, scientists, artists, and writers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lehmann families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lehmann 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. Middlesex leads with 52 Lehmanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.55x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 52 5.55x
Durham 7 2.51x
Buckinghamshire 5 8.83x
Cheshire 4 1.94x
Hampshire 4 2.08x
Nottinghamshire 4 3.17x
Lincolnshire 3 2.00x
Warwickshire 3 1.27x
Yorkshire 3 0.32x
Flintshire 2 7.95x
Surrey 2 0.44x
Sussex 2 1.27x
Cambridgeshire 1 1.69x
Herefordshire 1 2.60x
Lancashire 1 0.09x
Midlothian 1 0.80x
Rutland 1 14.56x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 17 Lehmanns recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.56x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 17 22.56x
St Marylebone London 9 18.00x
Kensington London 8 15.37x
Aylesbury 5 199.20x
Stranton 5 53.30x
Whitechapel London 5 54.17x
Carisbrooke 4 150.38x
Hyde 4 65.57x
Islington London 4 4.41x
Nottingham St Mary 4 12.25x
Aston 3 4.61x
Great Grimsby 3 31.58x
St George In East London 3 34.05x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 2 16.58x
Leeds 2 3.82x
Mold 2 87.72x
St George Hanover Square 2 12.12x
Bradford 1 4.45x
Brighton 1 3.14x
Broadwater 1 27.62x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 5.67x
Clerkenwell London 1 4.52x
Croydon 1 3.95x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.98x
Hampstead London 1 6.86x
Kingsland 1 294.12x
Normanton 1 3333.33x
Paddington London 1 2.90x
Southwark Christchurch 1 22.78x
St Giles In Fields London 1 21.79x
St Michael Cambridge 1 588.24x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 4
Elizabeth 4
Mary 4
Maria 3
Amelia 2
Henrietta 2
Lydia 2
Sarah 2
Alma 1
Augusta 1
Beabah 1
Bertha 1
Christiana 1
Edith 1
Elenor 1
Eliesa 1
Eliza 1
Eva 1
Hedioig 1
Issabella 1
Jane 1
Lilly 1
Liza 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1
Marianne 1
Marie 1
Martha 1
Pauline 1
Phobe 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1
Sophie 1
Wilhelmina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 4
Ernest 3
John 3
Adolph 2
David 2
Oscar 2
Samuel 2
A.W. 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Chars.C. 1
E. 1
Edward 1
Emile 1
F. 1
Ferdinand 1
Franz 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Gustave 1
James 1
Johann 1
Julius 1
Leon 1
Marcus 1
Noah 1
Robert 1
Rudolph 1
Severin 1
Simon 1
Thedor 1
Theodor 1

FAQ

Lehmann surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lehmann surname in 1881?

In 1881, 96 people were recorded with the Lehmann surname. That placed it at #20,248 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lehmann surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 464 in 2016. That gives Lehmann a modern rank of #10,570.

What does the Lehmann surname mean?

A German occupational surname referring to a vassal, serf, or feudal tenant farmer.

What does the Lehmann map show?

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