UK surname
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "light stream" or "bright brook."
In the 1881 census there were 100 people recorded with the Lightbourne surname, ranking it #19,750 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #19,750 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Dean and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lightbourne is 100 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 55.0%.
1881 census count
100
Ranked #19,750
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1881
100 bearers
Map years
1
1881 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lightbourne surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lightbourne surname density by area, 1881 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 | 21 | #29,550 |
| 1861 | historical | 68 | #25,196 |
| 1881 | historical | 100 | #19,750 |
| 1891 | historical | 62 | #28,991 |
| 1901 | historical | 36 | #30,099 |
| 1911 | historical | 35 | #29,478 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 30 | #34,833 |
| 1999 | modern | 33 | #34,610 |
| 2000 | modern | 32 | #34,705 |
| 2001 | modern | 31 | #34,648 |
| 2002 | modern | 32 | #34,790 |
| 2003 | modern | 35 | #34,609 |
| 2004 | modern | 44 | #34,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 42 | #34,395 |
| 2006 | modern | 46 | #34,415 |
| 2007 | modern | 45 | #34,699 |
| 2008 | modern | 46 | #34,759 |
| 2009 | modern | 42 | #35,148 |
| 2010 | modern | 42 | #35,294 |
| 2011 | modern | 42 | #35,283 |
| 2012 | modern | 38 | #35,481 |
| 2013 | modern | 43 | #35,271 |
| 2014 | modern | 43 | #35,293 |
| 2015 | modern | 46 | #35,109 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Dean, Preston, Kilbrandon and Kilchattan and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Dean | Lancashire |
| 3 | Preston | Lancashire |
| 4 | Kilbrandon and Kilchattan | Argyll |
| 5 | Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken | Warwickshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lightbourne 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 Lightbourne, 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 Lightbourne surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lightbourne 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, Lightbourne 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 Lightbourne is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lightbourne, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lightbourne is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "leoht" meaning light and "burna" meaning a stream or small river, suggesting that the name may have referred to someone who lived near a bright or illuminated stream.
One of the earliest records of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a person named Simon de Lichtburne. This early spelling variation demonstrates the evolution of the name over time.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Lightbourne name appeared in various tax records and legal documents across counties in southern England, particularly in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire. This suggests that the name was prevalent in these regions during the Middle Ages.
In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the Lightbourne surname was Sir Thomas Lightbourne (c.1520-1586), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament for Wiltshire. He played a role in the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots, and was appointed as a judge during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent individual with this surname was Captain John Lightbourne (c.1602-1675), an English sailor and explorer who served as a captain in the Royal Navy. He is known for his voyages to the West Indies and his encounters with Spanish ships during the Anglo-Spanish War.
In the 18th century, Reverend Joseph Lightbourne (1726-1801) was a notable Anglican clergyman and author. He served as the Vicar of Warminster in Wiltshire and published several religious works, including a commentary on the Book of Psalms.
The Lightbourne name has also been associated with place names in England, such as Lightbourne Fields and Lightbourne Farm, which were located near the village of Chieveley in Berkshire. These place names likely derived from the surname and reflect the early roots of the family in that region.
While the Lightbourne surname has a long history in England, it has also spread to other parts of the world through immigration and migration. However, this report focuses specifically on the origins and early records of the surname within its English context.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lightbourne 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. Lancashire leads with 72 Lightbournes recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.16x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 72 | 6.16x |
| Argyllshire | 8 | 29.18x |
| Buckinghamshire | 5 | 8.39x |
| Warwickshire | 5 | 2.01x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.31x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.92x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 0.63x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.60x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.30x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 8.52x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 16 Lightbournes recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.17x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Preston | 16 | 51.17x |
| Hulme | 10 | 40.98x |
| Kilbrandon | 8 | 1739.13x |
| Farnworth | 7 | 100.00x |
| Blackburn | 6 | 19.29x |
| Pilkington | 6 | 135.14x |
| Aston | 5 | 7.31x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 5 | 35.89x |
| Manchester | 4 | 7.61x |
| Oswaldtwistle | 4 | 96.85x |
| Over Darwen | 4 | 42.83x |
| Rishton | 3 | 218.98x |
| Simpson | 3 | 1200.00x |
| Blatchinworth | 2 | 75.19x |
| Holy Trinity St Mary | 2 | 134.23x |
| Kirkdale | 2 | 10.17x |
| Leckhampstead | 2 | 1818.18x |
| Liscard | 2 | 51.02x |
| North Meols | 2 | 17.48x |
| Barony | 1 | 1.24x |
| Crumpsall | 1 | 36.36x |
| Doncaster | 1 | 14.03x |
| Dover Castle | 1 | 416.67x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 1.77x |
| Kingswinford | 1 | 8.29x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 9.97x |
| Tipton | 1 | 9.82x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lightbourne 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 Lightbourne surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 100 people were recorded with the Lightbourne surname. That placed it at #19,750 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Lightbourne a modern rank of #35,162.
An English surname derived from a place name meaning "light stream" or "bright brook."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lightbourne 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.