UK surname
An English habitational name from a place called Lifton in Devon, derived from Old English "lif" meaning "dweller" and "tun" meaning "enclosure".
In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Lifton surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 74, ranked #33,441, down from #24,843 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Mary, Minster and Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lifton is 105 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.4%.
1881 census count
62
Ranked #24,843
Modern count
74
2016, ranked #33,441
Peak year
1911
105 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lifton surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lifton surname density by area, 1911 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 | 64 | #21,914 |
| 1861 | historical | 65 | #25,618 |
| 1881 | historical | 62 | #24,843 |
| 1891 | historical | 76 | #27,290 |
| 1901 | historical | 90 | #24,021 |
| 1911 | historical | 105 | #22,064 |
| 1997 | modern | 91 | #28,215 |
| 1998 | modern | 91 | #28,806 |
| 1999 | modern | 93 | #28,711 |
| 2000 | modern | 79 | #30,249 |
| 2001 | modern | 81 | #29,828 |
| 2002 | modern | 86 | #29,771 |
| 2003 | modern | 80 | #30,425 |
| 2004 | modern | 83 | #30,352 |
| 2005 | modern | 75 | #31,400 |
| 2006 | modern | 69 | #32,343 |
| 2007 | modern | 72 | #32,397 |
| 2008 | modern | 79 | #31,957 |
| 2009 | modern | 79 | #32,372 |
| 2010 | modern | 81 | #32,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 83 | #32,336 |
| 2012 | modern | 84 | #32,502 |
| 2013 | modern | 76 | #33,329 |
| 2014 | modern | 77 | #33,336 |
| 2015 | modern | 77 | #33,272 |
| 2016 | modern | 74 | #33,441 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Mary, Minster, Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Hubberston and Westbury-on-Trym, Henbury, Compton Greenfield. 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 Mary | Pembrokeshire |
| 2 | Minster | Kent |
| 3 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | Hubberston | Pembrokeshire |
| 5 | Westbury-on-Trym, Henbury, Compton Greenfield | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lifton 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 Lifton, 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 Lifton surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lifton 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, Lifton 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 Lifton is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lifton, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lifton is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the county of Devon. It is a locational surname derived from the town of Lifton, located in the West Devon district. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "līf" meaning "life" and "tūn" meaning "enclosure" or "town," suggesting that the name may have referred to a settlement or enclosure where people lived.
Lifton is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land and property conducted by William the Conqueror after the Norman conquest of England. The entry in the Domesday Book records the name as "Listone," indicating that the spelling has evolved over time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Lifton can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Devon from 1195, where a person named William de Lifton is mentioned. This suggests that the surname was already in use by the late 12th century.
Another notable figure with the surname Lifton was Sir Robert Lifton, who lived during the 15th century. He served as a Member of Parliament for Devon in 1467 and was also a prominent landowner in the region.
In the 16th century, there was a clergyman named John Lifton (c. 1525 - 1590) who served as the Rector of Holcombe Burnell in Devon. He was known for his religious writings and sermons.
During the 17th century, a man named Edward Lifton (1640 - 1712) gained recognition as a merchant and landowner in the town of Lifton. He was involved in local affairs and served as a churchwarden for the parish church.
In more recent history, a notable figure with the surname Lifton was Robert Jay Lifton (born 1926), an American psychiatrist and author known for his studies on the psychological causes and effects of war and political violence. He is particularly renowned for his work on the concept of "psychic numbing" and his analysis of the Nazi doctors involved in medical atrocities during the Holocaust.
While the surname Lifton is not as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history rooted in the county of Devon, reflecting the significance of place names in the development of many family names. The surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, clergymen, merchants, and scholars, contributing to the diverse tapestry of English heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lifton 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. Pembrokeshire leads with 23 Liftons recorded in 1881 and an index of 123.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Pembrokeshire | 23 | 123.66x |
| Gloucestershire | 10 | 8.71x |
| Cheshire | 7 | 5.42x |
| Surrey | 6 | 2.10x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.85x |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 3.93x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.00x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.82x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.98x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.68x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pembroke St Mary in Pembrokeshire leads with 21 Liftons recorded in 1881 and an index of 878.66x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Pembroke St Mary | 21 | 878.66x |
| Poulton Cum Seacombe | 7 | 469.80x |
| Gloucester Barton St | 5 | 746.27x |
| Guildford Friary | 5 | 5555.56x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 4 | 40.86x |
| Westbury On Trym | 4 | 102.83x |
| Poplar London | 3 | 27.17x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 2 | 60.42x |
| Aston | 1 | 2.46x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 7.24x |
| East Budleigh | 1 | 175.44x |
| Hubberston | 1 | 370.37x |
| Llansilin | 1 | 270.27x |
| St Giles Cripplegate | 1 | 128.21x |
| Stapleton | 1 | 45.87x |
| Steynton | 1 | 166.67x |
| Thames Ditton | 1 | 169.49x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lifton 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 Lifton surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Lifton surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 74 in 2016. That gives Lifton a modern rank of #33,441.
An English habitational name from a place called Lifton in Devon, derived from Old English "lif" meaning "dweller" and "tun" meaning "enclosure".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lifton 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.