NameCensus.

UK surname

Libby

Derived from a shortened form of the given name Isabel, ultimately from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning "God is my oath."

In the 1881 census there were 388 people recorded with the Libby surname, ranking it #8,141 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 539, ranked #9,438, down from #8,141 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Talland (incl. Looe Island), Lanteglos by Fowey and St Austell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Libby is 566 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.9%.

1881 census count

388

Ranked #8,141

Modern count

539

2016, ranked #9,438

Peak year

1999

566 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Libby had 388 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,141 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 539 in 2016, ranked #9,438.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 472 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Libby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Libby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Libby 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 227 #9,448
1861 historical 219 #11,124
1881 historical 388 #8,141
1891 historical 306 #10,945
1901 historical 436 #8,907
1911 historical 472 #8,192
1997 modern 532 #8,887
1998 modern 558 #8,824
1999 modern 566 #8,777
2000 modern 553 #8,908
2001 modern 533 #9,013
2002 modern 543 #9,059
2003 modern 517 #9,268
2004 modern 507 #9,419
2005 modern 502 #9,419
2006 modern 506 #9,399
2007 modern 516 #9,343
2008 modern 528 #9,248
2009 modern 541 #9,279
2010 modern 560 #9,225
2011 modern 557 #9,170
2012 modern 545 #9,230
2013 modern 546 #9,392
2014 modern 553 #9,343
2015 modern 546 #9,370
2016 modern 539 #9,438

Geography

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Where Libbys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Talland (incl. Looe Island), Lanteglos by Fowey, St Austell, Lansalloes and St Clement. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Talland (incl. Looe Island) Cornwall
2 Lanteglos by Fowey Cornwall
3 St Austell Cornwall
4 Lansalloes Cornwall
5 St Clement Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 028 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 037 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 016 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 026 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 013 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Libby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Libby

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Libby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Libby 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Libby is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

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

Libby is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Libby 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 Libby 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Libby

The surname Libby originated in England, deriving from the Old English word "lib" or "liba," which means "a free person" or "one who is free." This name emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period, indicating that the bearer was a free person and not a serf or slave.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Libby can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings across England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Libba, Libbe, and Libbi, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and orthography.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Libby was John Libby (1480-1542), a prominent merchant and member of the Guild of Skinners in London. He is mentioned in records related to trade and guild activities during the reign of Henry VIII.

Another significant individual with this surname was William Libby (1612-1675), an English colonist who settled in New England in the 17th century. He was among the early settlers of Scarborough, Maine, and his descendants played a role in the development of the region.

In the 18th century, Samuel Libby (1730-1803) was a notable figure in the American Revolutionary War. He served as a captain in the Continental Army and participated in several battles, including the Battle of Saratoga.

During the 19th century, the surname Libby was associated with several notable individuals, such as Orin Grant Libby (1864-1952), an American businessman and politician who served as the 33rd Governor of Maine from 1917 to 1921.

Another prominent figure was Frederick J. Libby (1877-1964), an American businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the National Cash Register Company and was actively involved in various charitable organizations and educational institutions.

The surname Libby has been prevalent in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire, where it is believed to have originated. Over time, the name spread to other regions, including Scotland and Ireland, as well as to North America through immigration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Libby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Libby 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. Cornwall leads with 223 Libbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.25x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 223 51.25x
Middlesex 34 0.88x
Lancashire 30 0.66x
Devon 22 2.75x
Warwickshire 15 1.55x
Kent 14 1.07x
Surrey 13 0.69x
Glamorgan 8 1.20x
Channel Islands 5 4.39x
Essex 5 0.66x
Hampshire 4 0.51x
Gloucestershire 3 0.40x
Norfolk 3 0.51x
Bedfordshire 2 1.01x
Dorset 2 0.79x
Hertfordshire 1 0.38x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.31x
Lincolnshire 1 0.16x
Monmouthshire 1 0.36x
Northumberland 1 0.17x
Oxfordshire 1 0.42x
Roxburghshire 1 1.44x
Royal Navy 1 2.18x
Somerset 1 0.16x
Worcestershire 1 0.20x
Yorkshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Talland in Cornwall leads with 38 Libbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3725.49x.

Place Total Index
Talland 38 3725.49x
Pelynt 23 2613.64x
St Clement 15 330.40x
Lansallos 14 1489.36x
Truro St Mary 14 382.51x
Chislehurst 11 156.47x
St Mabyn 10 1492.54x
Aston 9 3.37x
Lostwithel 8 650.41x
Putney 8 45.66x
St Cleer 8 212.20x
St Columb Minor 8 219.18x
St Just In Roseland 8 421.05x
Broadoak 7 1842.11x
Camborne 7 39.04x
Fowey 7 350.00x
Rumworth 7 107.36x
St Austell 7 47.07x
St Enoder 7 472.97x
Stoke Damerel 7 12.50x
Budbrooke 6 606.06x
Crowan 6 173.91x
Exeter St Sidwell 6 32.75x
Hackney London 6 2.78x
Mevagissey 6 207.61x
Tottenham 6 9.80x
Blackburn 5 4.12x
Illogan 5 43.40x
Little Bolton 5 8.53x
Openshaw 5 23.41x
St Pancras London 5 1.62x
St Sampson 5 97.47x
West Derby 5 3.75x
West Ham 5 2.99x
Oystermouth 4 77.22x
Poplar London 4 5.51x
Swansea Lower 4 117.30x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 4.14x
Dawlish 3 50.25x
Duloe 3 234.38x
Erith 3 23.22x
Falmouth 3 19.48x
Islington London 3 0.81x
Norwich St Peter 3 77.32x
Redruth 3 24.37x
Stoke 3 92.59x
Battersea 2 1.41x
Bromley London 2 2.37x
Colan 2 625.00x
Helston 2 44.25x
Holdenhurst 2 9.68x
Lambeth 2 0.60x
Leighton Buzzard 2 23.36x
Menheniot 2 110.50x
St George In East London 2 5.53x
St Winnow 2 134.23x
Whitechapel London 2 5.28x
Bermondsey 1 0.87x
Chiswick 1 4.76x
Devonport 1 10.88x
Dudley 1 1.64x
Gloucester Barton St 1 22.62x
Gwinear 1 48.54x
Hackthorn 1 270.27x
Huntingdon St Mary 1 52.36x
Lanreath 1 135.14x
Mawgan In Meneage 1 88.50x
Melcombe Regis 1 9.57x
Melrose 1 16.61x
Mile End Old Town London 1 1.22x
Monks House Ferne 1 1666.67x
Paddington London 1 0.71x
Portsea 1 0.65x
Portsmouth 1 5.51x
Rickmansworth 1 13.72x
St Woollos 1 3.22x
Stogumber 1 61.35x
Stroud 1 6.82x
Tregoney St James 1 123.46x
Wendron 1 16.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 34
Elizabeth 21
Jane 12
Emma 9
Clara 7
Ellen 7
Ann 6
Sarah 6
Annie 5
Hannah 4
Alice 3
Amelia 3
Caroline 3
Elizth. 3
Louisa 3
Lucy 3
Susan 3
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Grace 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Laura 2
Rose 2
Rosena 2
Sally 2
Amey 1
Anamelia 1
Avis 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Bridget 1
Deborah 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Emely 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Harriett 1
Hatta 1
Kitty 1
Lena 1
Lilian 1
Lillie 1
Lilly 1
Thomasina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 26
John 25
Henry 14
Thomas 11
George 10
Joseph 9
James 8
Charles 7
Samuel 7
Nicholas 6
Richard 6
Robert 6
Arthur 5
Alfred 3
Benjamin 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
Ernest 2
Harry 2
Walter 2
(Mr) 1
Alexr. 1
Campbell 1
Denis 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Jeremiah 1
Jesse 1
Llewellyn 1
Michael 1
Montague 1
Nathaniel 1
Percy 1
Richd. 1
Sidney 1
Solomon 1
Thos. 1
W. 1
Wilfred 1
Willey 1
Willy 1

FAQ

Libby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Libby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 388 people were recorded with the Libby surname. That placed it at #8,141 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Libby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 539 in 2016. That gives Libby a modern rank of #9,438.

What does the Libby surname mean?

Derived from a shortened form of the given name Isabel, ultimately from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning "God is my oath."

What does the Libby map show?

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