NameCensus.

UK surname

Leone

An Italian surname referring to a lion, often signifying courage, strength, or a fierce nature.

In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Leone surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 404, ranked #11,793, up from #31,170 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Peterborough, Aylesbury Vale and Rochdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leone is 404 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2276.5%.

1881 census count

17

Ranked #31,170

Modern count

404

2016, ranked #11,793

Peak year

2016

404 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Leone had 17 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,170 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 404 in 2016, ranked #11,793.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 45 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Leone surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Leone surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Leone 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 11 #31,309
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 17 #31,170
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 45 #29,156
1911 historical 18 #31,542
1997 modern 190 #18,199
1998 modern 219 #17,115
1999 modern 228 #16,790
2000 modern 243 #16,053
2001 modern 235 #16,147
2002 modern 272 #14,930
2003 modern 262 #15,150
2004 modern 261 #15,274
2005 modern 277 #14,542
2006 modern 298 #13,973
2007 modern 308 #13,791
2008 modern 329 #13,286
2009 modern 346 #13,075
2010 modern 357 #13,036
2011 modern 363 #12,738
2012 modern 365 #12,547
2013 modern 385 #12,270
2014 modern 399 #12,030
2015 modern 393 #12,059
2016 modern 404 #11,793

Geography

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Where Leones 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 Peterborough, Aylesbury Vale, Rochdale and Southend-on-Sea. 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 Peterborough 019 Peterborough
2 Aylesbury Vale 017 Aylesbury Vale
3 Rochdale 013 Rochdale
4 Southend-on-Sea 015 Southend-on-Sea
5 Aylesbury Vale 014 Aylesbury Vale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Leone

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Leone

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Leone is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Leone 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

Leone 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 Leone 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 Leone, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Leone

The surname Leone originates from Italy and is derived from the Italian word "leone," meaning lion. This surname likely emerged in the Middle Ages, as surnames became more widespread across Europe during this time period.

The earliest documented instances of the Leone surname can be traced back to the 13th century in regions such as Sicily, Calabria, and Naples. The name may have been initially adopted by individuals who displayed bravery or strength akin to the lion, or it could have been a descriptive name for someone with lion-like physical characteristics.

In the late 13th century, records from the city of Messina in Sicily mention a nobleman named Riccardo Leone, suggesting the name's association with nobility and prominence at that time. Another early reference to the Leone surname can be found in the "Codice Diplomatico Barese," a collection of documents from the city of Bari in southern Italy, where it mentions a certain Nicola Leone in the year 1295.

The surname Leone has been documented in various historical records throughout Italy's history, including the "Codice Diplomatico Normanno" from the 11th century, which mentions a certain Guglielmo Leone in the year 1081.

One notable bearer of the Leone surname was Tommaso Leone (1616-1676), an Italian painter from Naples who was known for his religious works and landscapes. Another prominent figure was Giovanni Leone (1908-2001), an Italian politician who served as the sixth President of the Italian Republic from 1971 to 1978.

Other notable individuals with the surname Leone include Enrico Leone (1835-1909), an Italian philosopher and writer, as well as Vincenzo Leone (1624-1694), an Italian painter and architect from Naples who was known for his Baroque-style works.

In the 15th century, the Leone surname can be found in records from the Duchy of Milan, suggesting its spread throughout various regions of Italy over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Leone families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Leone 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. Surrey leads with 7 Leones recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.67x.

County Total Index
Surrey 7 8.67x
Middlesex 5 3.02x
Lancashire 3 1.53x
Angus 1 6.51x
Hampshire 1 2.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 5 Leones recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.26x.

Place Total Index
Camberwell 5 47.26x
Clerkenwell London 3 76.73x
Everton 3 47.92x
Westminster St James 2 117.65x
Andover 1 312.50x
Battersea 1 16.39x
Dundee 1 17.45x
Lambeth 1 6.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 3
Emma 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Juda 1
Maria 1
Mattilde 1
Sehine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Chas. 1
Edward 1
Emile 1
Fredk. 1
Giovanni 1
Joseph 1

FAQ

Leone surname: questions and answers

How common was the Leone surname in 1881?

In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Leone surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Leone surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 404 in 2016. That gives Leone a modern rank of #11,793.

What does the Leone surname mean?

An Italian surname referring to a lion, often signifying courage, strength, or a fierce nature.

What does the Leone map show?

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