UK surname
From a place name, likely referring to Lennox in Scotland, derived from the Gaelic for "elm field."
In the 1881 census there were 72 people recorded with the Lenox surname, ranking it #23,371 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 34, ranked #35,768, down from #23,371 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bebbington, Ashtead and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lenox is 165 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.8%.
1881 census count
72
Ranked #23,371
Modern count
34
2016, ranked #35,768
Peak year
1851
165 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lenox surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lenox surname density by area, 1851 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 | 165 | #12,053 |
| 1861 | historical | 95 | #21,768 |
| 1881 | historical | 72 | #23,371 |
| 1891 | historical | 75 | #27,414 |
| 1901 | historical | 46 | #29,047 |
| 1911 | historical | 32 | #29,838 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 28 | #35,053 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 29 | #34,976 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 37 | #34,390 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 32 | #35,019 |
| 2005 | modern | 32 | #35,191 |
| 2006 | modern | 38 | #35,003 |
| 2007 | modern | 33 | #35,461 |
| 2008 | modern | 34 | #35,502 |
| 2009 | modern | 33 | #35,671 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 39 | #35,415 |
| 2013 | modern | 34 | #35,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 37 | #35,593 |
| 2016 | modern | 34 | #35,768 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bebbington, Ashtead, Toxteth Park, Gateshead and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Bebbington | Cheshire |
| 2 | Ashtead | Surrey |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lenox 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 Lenox, 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 Lenox surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lenox 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, Lenox 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 Lenox is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lenox, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lenox has its origins in Scotland, derived from the historic county of Lennox, which encompassed parts of the modern council areas of West Dunbartonshire and Stirling. The name is believed to have originated from the Gaelic words "lenn" meaning "smooth" and "ùchd" meaning "breast" or "upland," referring to the region's rolling hills and meadows.
In ancient charters and records, the name appears with various spellings such as Levenax, Levenauchis, and Leuenaux, reflecting the evolution of the name over time. The earliest known recorded reference to the name dates back to the 12th century when Alwyn, Earl of Lennox, is mentioned in a charter granted by King David I of Scotland.
The Lennox family, who held the earldom of Lennox, played a significant role in Scottish history. One notable member was Isabel, Countess of Lennox, who married King Robert II of Scotland in 1347, establishing a direct link between the Lennox family and the Scottish monarchy.
The name Lenox gained prominence outside of Scotland during the reign of King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) when several members of the Lennox family served as courtiers and gained favor with the king. One such figure was Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox (1542-1583), who wielded considerable influence at the Scottish court.
Another notable individual with the surname Lenox was James Lenox (1800-1880), an American philanthropist and bibliophile who founded the Lenox Library, now part of the New York Public Library. His collection of rare books and manuscripts became the cornerstone of the library's holdings.
Walter Lenox (1859-1920) was an American entrepreneur who founded the Lenox China Company, a renowned manufacturer of fine ceramic tableware. The company's products, adorned with intricate designs and patterns, became synonymous with luxury and elegance in the early 20th century.
In literature, the surname Lenox is associated with James Lenox Belknap (1856-1924), an American author and journalist who wrote extensively about the history and culture of the American South. His works, such as "The Straits of Malacca" and "The Crested Seas," provided valuable insights into the region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
While the Lenox name has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread worldwide, with notable bearers in various fields, from business and philanthropy to literature and art, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and historical fabric of multiple nations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lenox 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. Durham leads with 12 Lenox' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.74x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 12 | 5.74x |
| Yorkshire | 10 | 1.44x |
| Cheshire | 9 | 5.81x |
| Cumberland | 6 | 9.92x |
| Stirlingshire | 6 | 23.17x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.71x |
| Northumberland | 5 | 4.79x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 3.56x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 2.18x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.88x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 1.90x |
| Caernarfonshire | 1 | 3.52x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.72x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.82x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 2.07x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.44x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.06x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 2.31x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.09x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lamesley in Durham leads with 6 Lenox' recorded in 1881 and an index of 535.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lamesley | 6 | 535.71x |
| Sherburn | 6 | 1052.63x |
| St Ninians | 6 | 233.46x |
| Tranmere | 6 | 105.26x |
| High Bolton | 4 | 5714.29x |
| Arthington | 3 | 2727.27x |
| Bigges Quarter | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Bristol St Paul In | 3 | 81.74x |
| Limehouse London | 3 | 38.91x |
| Poulton Cum Seacombe | 3 | 168.54x |
| Croydon | 2 | 10.53x |
| Monkwearmouth Shore | 2 | 49.02x |
| Spalding | 2 | 89.69x |
| St Dionis Backchurch | 2 | 4000.00x |
| Stamford St George | 2 | 400.00x |
| Stanwix | 2 | 408.16x |
| Whittingham | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Bangor | 1 | 36.50x |
| Barony | 1 | 1.74x |
| Cowley | 1 | 74.07x |
| Dawdon | 1 | 38.91x |
| Eglwysilan | 1 | 47.17x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 6.39x |
| Great Ayton | 1 | 232.56x |
| Maybole | 1 | 62.50x |
| Richmond | 1 | 20.83x |
| Ruddington | 1 | 158.73x |
| Sandridge | 1 | 500.00x |
| Stourbridge | 1 | 42.37x |
| Tanfield | 1 | 40.32x |
| West Ham | 1 | 3.27x |
| Wingate | 1 | 69.93x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lenox 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 Lenox surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 72 people were recorded with the Lenox surname. That placed it at #23,371 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 34 in 2016. That gives Lenox a modern rank of #35,768.
From a place name, likely referring to Lennox in Scotland, derived from the Gaelic for "elm field."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lenox 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.