NameCensus.

UK surname

Lew

A Chinese surname derived from the state of Lü, or an English surname referring to a sheltered place.

In the 1881 census there were 32 people recorded with the Lew surname, ranking it #29,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 220, ranked #18,376, up from #29,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Barnet and Charnwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lew is 220 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 587.5%.

1881 census count

32

Ranked #29,082

Modern count

220

2016, ranked #18,376

Peak year

2016

220 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lew had 32 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 220 in 2016, ranked #18,376.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 92 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lew surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lew surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lew 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 92 #18,050
1881 historical 32 #29,082
1901 historical 84 #24,759
1997 modern 113 #25,106
1998 modern 126 #24,094
1999 modern 130 #23,805
2000 modern 132 #23,562
2001 modern 129 #23,557
2002 modern 120 #25,110
2003 modern 123 #24,497
2004 modern 124 #24,559
2005 modern 128 #24,076
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 135 #23,824
2008 modern 141 #23,383
2009 modern 160 #21,978
2010 modern 176 #21,101
2011 modern 182 #20,495
2012 modern 190 #19,864
2013 modern 216 #18,543
2014 modern 212 #18,945
2015 modern 212 #18,842
2016 modern 220 #18,376

Geography

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Where Lews 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 Hackney, Barnet and Charnwood. 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 Hackney 029 Hackney
2 Hackney 004 Hackney
3 Barnet 033 Barnet
4 Hackney 001 Hackney
5 Charnwood 002 Charnwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lew

These lists show first names that appear often with the Lew 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 Lew

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Lew is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lew 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

Lew falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lew 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Lew

The surname LEW originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "leod," meaning "people" or "nation." The name likely referred to a person who was a leader or chieftain among their community.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners in England after the Norman Conquest, there are several entries for individuals with the surname LEW or similar spellings, such as Lew, Lewe, and Lewen. These records indicate that the name was already established in various parts of the country by the 11th century.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir Nicholas Lew, a prominent knight who served under King Edward I in the late 13th century. He participated in several military campaigns and was granted lands in Hertfordshire for his service.

Another notable figure was John Lew, born around 1460, who was a Member of Parliament for the borough of Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire during the reign of King Henry VII. He was also a successful merchant and landowner in the region.

In the 16th century, the name appears in various records related to the town of Lewes in East Sussex. It is possible that some individuals adopted the surname LEW as a reference to their place of origin or residence in this area.

During the 17th century, a branch of the LEW family settled in the county of Somerset. One prominent member was Sir Richard Lew, born in 1635, who served as the High Sheriff of Somerset in 1677. He was a wealthy landowner and played an influential role in local affairs.

In the literary realm, John Lew, born in 1690, was a renowned poet and playwright. He is best known for his works exploring themes of love and nature, which were popular during the Augustan age of English literature.

As the centuries progressed, the LEW surname continued to be found throughout various regions of England, with individuals from this family making contributions in various fields, including politics, military service, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lew families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lew 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 8 Lews recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.10x.

County Total Index
Surrey 8 5.10x
Middlesex 6 1.87x
Warwickshire 6 7.40x
Hampshire 5 7.58x
Worcestershire 2 4.76x
Dorset 1 4.74x
Hertfordshire 1 4.51x
Kent 1 0.91x
Lanarkshire 1 0.96x
Lancashire 1 0.26x
Sussex 1 1.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Putney in Surrey leads with 7 Lews recorded in 1881 and an index of 476.19x.

Place Total Index
Putney 7 476.19x
Aston 6 26.86x
Warblington 5 1923.08x
Islington London 3 9.62x
Hackney London 2 11.09x
Warley Wigorn 2 1538.46x
Beaminster 1 434.78x
Blackburn 1 9.85x
Brighton 1 9.14x
Clapham 1 24.88x
Farnborough 1 625.00x
Govan 1 3.89x
Hemel Hempstead 1 100.00x
Paddington London 1 8.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Ada 1
Beatrice 1
Cecilia 1
Clara 1
Eliz 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Florence 1
Sarah 1
Susan 1
Telie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Frederick 2
James 2
Arthur 1
Benj. 1
Benjamin 1
George 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Leopold 1
Richard 1

FAQ

Lew surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lew surname in 1881?

In 1881, 32 people were recorded with the Lew surname. That placed it at #29,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lew surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 220 in 2016. That gives Lew a modern rank of #18,376.

What does the Lew surname mean?

A Chinese surname derived from the state of Lü, or an English surname referring to a sheltered place.

What does the Lew map show?

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