UK surname
Derived from the English word for the citrus fruit, potentially referring to an occupation or place of residence.
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Lime surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 34, ranked #35,768, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lime is 140 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 19.0%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
34
2016, ranked #35,768
Peak year
1861
140 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lime surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lime surname density by area, 1861 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 | 80 | #19,558 |
| 1861 | historical | 140 | #16,169 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 87 | #25,802 |
| 1901 | historical | 30 | #30,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 59 | #26,914 |
| 1997 | modern | 13 | #36,672 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 8 | #37,737 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 16 | #36,955 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 34 | #35,768 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Lambeth and Thundersley. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Thundersley | Essex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lime 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 Lime, 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 Lime surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lime 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, Lime 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 Lime is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lime, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lime has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "lim," which referred to a lime tree or a linden tree. This connection suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived near a lime tree or a grove of lime trees.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lime can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a tax record compiled in 1279. This document mentions a person named Richard de la Lyme, indicating that the name was already in use during that period.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Lyme," "Lymme," and "Lymbe." These variations likely reflect the different spellings and pronunciations used in different regions of England at the time.
The name Lime has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Lyme Regis in Dorset and Lymm in Cheshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.
One notable bearer of the name Lime was Sir John Lyme (1512-1562), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset and played a significant role in suppressing the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549.
Another prominent figure with the surname Lime was Thomas Lyme (1628-1689), an English philosopher and scholar. He was a fellow of the Royal Society and made contributions to the fields of mathematics and natural philosophy.
In the 18th century, Sir Nathaniel Lyme (1709-1761) was a British naval officer who served during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. He was known for his bravery and leadership in several naval battles against the French.
During the 19th century, James Lyme (1803-1878) was a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall in London.
In more recent times, the surname Lime has been carried by individuals such as Sir Roger Lyme (1918-2003), a British businessman and philanthropist who founded the Lyme Trust, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting education and environmental causes.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lime 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 15 Limes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.09x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 15 | 3.09x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.46x |
| Midlothian | 6 | 10.93x |
| Sussex | 6 | 8.69x |
| Essex | 2 | 2.47x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.43x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 3.86x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.82x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.40x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.19x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.97x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Toxteth Park in Lancashire leads with 7 Limes recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.53x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Toxteth Park | 7 | 42.53x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 5 | 22.66x |
| Broadwater | 4 | 253.16x |
| West Derby | 4 | 28.13x |
| Poplar London | 3 | 38.81x |
| Worsley | 3 | 100.00x |
| Brighton | 2 | 14.36x |
| Charlton Next Woolwich | 2 | 136.99x |
| West Ham | 2 | 11.20x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 2.91x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 25.45x |
| Holy Trinity Cambridge | 1 | 357.14x |
| Inveresk | 1 | 67.11x |
| Lower Booths | 1 | 114.94x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 13.85x |
| St Michael Wood Street | 1 | 5000.00x |
| St Nicholas | 1 | 2000.00x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 3.03x |
| Sunderland | 1 | 46.51x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lime 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 Lime surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Lime surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 34 in 2016. That gives Lime a modern rank of #35,768.
Derived from the English word for the citrus fruit, potentially referring to an occupation or place of residence.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lime 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.