UK surname
A surname potentially derived from the French "leçon" meaning lesson or instruction.
In the 1881 census there were 60 people recorded with the Lesson surname, ranking it #25,133 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 28, ranked #36,125, down from #25,133 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Peter, Eccles and Breadsall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lesson is 114 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 53.3%.
1881 census count
60
Ranked #25,133
Modern count
28
2016, ranked #36,125
Peak year
1891
114 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lesson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lesson surname density by area, 1891 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 | 33 | #27,390 |
| 1861 | historical | 86 | #22,810 |
| 1881 | historical | 60 | #25,133 |
| 1891 | historical | 114 | #22,006 |
| 1901 | historical | 73 | #26,069 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 33 | #34,377 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 32 | #34,717 |
| 2000 | modern | 23 | #35,588 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 20 | #35,894 |
| 2003 | modern | 19 | #36,011 |
| 2004 | modern | 19 | #36,147 |
| 2005 | modern | 22 | #35,993 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 24 | #36,148 |
| 2009 | modern | 23 | #36,313 |
| 2010 | modern | 24 | #36,341 |
| 2011 | modern | 23 | #36,369 |
| 2012 | modern | 22 | #36,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 25 | #36,276 |
| 2014 | modern | 28 | #36,107 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 28 | #36,125 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Peter, Eccles, Breadsall, Dean and Liverpool. 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 | St Peter | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 3 | Breadsall | Derbyshire |
| 4 | Dean | Lancashire |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lesson 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 Lesson, 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 Lesson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lesson 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, Lesson 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 Lesson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lesson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LESSON originates from England and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word 'leas', meaning a meadow or pasture. The name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked on a meadow or pasture land.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1195, where a Robert de Lees is mentioned. This early spelling variation, 'Lees', is closely related to the modern form of LESSON.
In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms such as 'de Lesse', 'atte Lese', and 'de la Lese', reflecting the Norman influence on English surnames after the Norman Conquest.
The LESSON surname can also be linked to certain place names in England, such as Leese in Lancashire, and Lees in Derbyshire and Yorkshire. These place names derived from the same Old English word 'leas', suggesting that some individuals may have adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.
Notable individuals bearing the LESSON surname throughout history include:
1. John Lesson (c. 1556-1640), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the rector of Hawridge in Buckinghamshire. 2. Richard Lesson (c. 1620-1691), an English soldier and landowner who fought in the English Civil War. 3. Elizabeth Lesson (c. 1685-1766), a renowned English botanist and herbalist, known for her extensive collection of plant specimens. 4. Thomas Lesson (1745-1823), a British explorer and naturalist who documented his travels in the South Pacific islands. 5. William Lesson (1791-1849), a Scottish inventor and engineer who pioneered the development of the first practical steam-powered lawnmower.
While the LESSON surname may have evolved from its Old English origins, it has maintained a presence throughout the centuries, reflecting the rich history and diversity of English surnames.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lesson 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. Derbyshire leads with 29 Lessons recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Derbyshire | 29 | 31.66x |
| Lancashire | 13 | 1.87x |
| Lanarkshire | 4 | 2.11x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 6.17x |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 5.07x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.01x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.17x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.01x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.68x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.17x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Litchurch in Derbyshire leads with 19 Lessons recorded in 1881 and an index of 514.91x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Litchurch | 19 | 514.91x |
| Breadsall | 10 | 9090.91x |
| Liverpool | 7 | 16.60x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 4 | 25.28x |
| Mansfield | 4 | 146.52x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 4 | 48.37x |
| Barony | 3 | 6.26x |
| Upper Arley | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Blantyre | 1 | 50.76x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 11.78x |
| Hastings St Clement | 1 | 107.53x |
| Idle | 1 | 37.17x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 27.55x |
| Manchester | 1 | 3.20x |
| Thornton In Fylde | 1 | 65.79x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lesson 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 Lesson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 60 people were recorded with the Lesson surname. That placed it at #25,133 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 28 in 2016. That gives Lesson a modern rank of #36,125.
A surname potentially derived from the French "leçon" meaning lesson or instruction.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lesson 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.