NameCensus.

UK surname

Lei

A Chinese surname meaning "thunder," or a Romanian surname derived from the first name Leahu, meaning "lion."

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Lei surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 238, ranked #17,361, up from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tower Hamlets, Newcastle upon Tyne and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lei is 238 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4660.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

238

2016, ranked #17,361

Peak year

2016

238 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lei had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 238 in 2016, ranked #17,361.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Student Living and Professional Footholds.

Lei surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lei surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lei 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 7 #32,070
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1901 historical 13 #32,633
1997 modern 29 #34,795
1998 modern 36 #34,246
1999 modern 51 #32,940
2000 modern 69 #31,273
2001 modern 72 #30,813
2002 modern 102 #27,596
2003 modern 112 #25,948
2004 modern 122 #24,812
2005 modern 122 #24,817
2006 modern 135 #23,486
2007 modern 151 #22,120
2008 modern 158 #21,690
2009 modern 168 #21,290
2010 modern 193 #19,880
2011 modern 192 #19,797
2012 modern 207 #18,777
2013 modern 220 #18,324
2014 modern 226 #18,088
2015 modern 227 #17,941
2016 modern 238 #17,361

Geography

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Where Leis 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 Tower Hamlets, Newcastle upon Tyne, Redbridge and Manchester. 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 Tower Hamlets 010 Tower Hamlets
2 Newcastle upon Tyne 023 Newcastle upon Tyne
3 Redbridge 014 Redbridge
4 Manchester 026 Manchester
5 Manchester 055 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lei

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lei

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

Student Living and Professional Footholds

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

The Group includes many students, some of whom reside in communal residences. Single-person households are the most prevalent and the modal age band is 25 to 44. There are few families with dependent children. A significant number of White residents were born in EU countries (although UK-born residents are more common than in the rest of the Group), and households reflect a diversity of ethnic groups. Residential turnover is exceptionally high and, communal properties aside, flats are the norm. Some properties, including those in the private rental sector, are over-crowded. Many residents are professionals and technicians educated to degree level, and the Group is particularly common near the campuses of established university towns and cities.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Lei is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lei 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

Lei falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lei 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Lei

The surname "LEI" is believed to have originated in China, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is thought to be derived from the Chinese word "lei," which means "thunder" or "lightning." This suggests that the name may have been adopted by families or individuals who lived in areas prone to thunderstorms or had some connection to the natural phenomenon.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the name "LEI" appeared in several historical records and manuscripts, indicating its widespread use among the Chinese population. One notable example is the "Xin Tang Shu," a historical text compiled in the 11th century, which mentions several individuals with the surname "LEI."

In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the name "LEI" was recorded in various official documents, such as the "Ming Shi," a comprehensive history of the Ming Dynasty. This suggests that the name had gained prominence and was associated with influential families or individuals during this period.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "LEI" was Lei Ying (448-501 AD), a renowned calligrapher and scholar during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. Another notable figure was Lei Huan (590-664 AD), a prominent general and statesman who served under the Tang Dynasty.

During the Song Dynasty, Lei Yuanjing (1022-1102 AD) was a celebrated poet and scholar who made significant contributions to the development of Neo-Confucianism. In the Ming Dynasty, Lei Xingxing (1487-1516 AD) was a famous military strategist and author of the influential work "Shuang Shou Zhi Yao" (Essential Tactics for Two-Handed Combat).

In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), Lei Tingzhang (1792-1865 AD) was a prominent scholar and calligrapher who served as an official in the imperial court. His calligraphic works are highly regarded and can be found in many museums and collections around the world.

Throughout history, the surname "LEI" has been associated with various place names and locations in China. For instance, Leishan County in Guizhou Province is named after the Lei family, who were influential landowners in the area during ancient times. Additionally, the name has undergone minor spelling variations, such as "Li" or "Lay," due to different romanization systems or regional dialects.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lei families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lei 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. Lancashire leads with 4 Leis recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.95x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 4 6.95x
Yorkshire 1 2.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dalton In Furness in Lancashire leads with 4 Leis recorded in 1881 and an index of 1818.18x.

Place Total Index
Dalton In Furness 4 1818.18x
Honley 1 1250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 1
Elizabeth 1
Harriet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2

FAQ

Lei surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lei surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Lei surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lei surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 238 in 2016. That gives Lei a modern rank of #17,361.

What does the Lei surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "thunder," or a Romanian surname derived from the first name Leahu, meaning "lion."

What does the Lei map show?

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