UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a linen weaver, linen merchant, or one who works with linen fabric.
In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Liner surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 27, ranked #36,189, down from #24,561 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Aldershot, Springfield and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Liner is 145 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 57.8%.
1881 census count
64
Ranked #24,561
Modern count
27
2016, ranked #36,189
Peak year
1861
145 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Liner surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Liner 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 | 45 | #25,168 |
| 1861 | historical | 145 | #15,715 |
| 1881 | historical | 64 | #24,561 |
| 1891 | historical | 93 | #24,965 |
| 1901 | historical | 56 | #27,952 |
| 1911 | historical | 84 | #24,442 |
| 1997 | modern | 15 | #36,409 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 14 | #36,522 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 12 | #36,679 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 14 | #36,730 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 16 | #36,714 |
| 2008 | modern | 19 | #36,534 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 19 | #36,687 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 28 | #36,107 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 27 | #36,189 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Aldershot, Springfield, Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars, West Derby and London parishes. 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 | Aldershot | Surrey |
| 2 | Springfield | Essex |
| 3 | Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars | Leicestershire |
| 4 | West Derby | Lancashire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 2 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Liner 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 Liner, 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 Liner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Liner 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, Liner 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 Liner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Liner, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LINER is of German origin, first appearing in records from the 16th century. It is derived from the German word "Leineweber," which translates to "linen weaver." The name likely originated among families involved in the production of linen fabric, a prominent industry in certain regions of Germany during that era.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LINER surname can be found in the town of Cologne, Germany, where a family by the name of Leineweber resided in the late 1500s. Over time, the name evolved into its current spelling, LINER, as families migrated to different areas and adapted to local dialects and naming conventions.
In the 17th century, the LINER surname appeared in various historical documents, including church records and tax rolls, in regions such as Bavaria and Saxony. This suggests that the name had spread across different parts of Germany by that time.
An early notable bearer of the LINER surname was Johann Liner (1620-1685), a German theologian and author who wrote several influential works on Lutheran doctrine. His writings were widely circulated and contributed to the intellectual discourse of the time.
During the 18th century, the LINER name gained prominence in the city of Hamburg, where a family of successful merchants and traders operated under that surname. One of the most renowned members was Heinrich Liner (1735-1812), a prominent businessman and philanthropist who funded the construction of several schools and hospitals in the city.
In the 19th century, the LINER surname crossed the Atlantic as German immigrants began settling in various parts of North America. One notable figure was Friedrich Liner (1845-1921), a German-American engineer who played a significant role in the development of early steam-powered machinery and industrial equipment.
Another individual of note is Anna Liner (1870-1945), a German-born educator and women's rights advocate who immigrated to the United States in the late 19th century. She established several schools and organizations dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for women in education and the workforce.
As the LINER surname spread across different regions and countries, its spelling and pronunciation evolved slightly, with variations such as Lyner, Leiner, and Leinert appearing in various records and documents over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Liner 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. Northamptonshire leads with 21 Liners recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.92x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northamptonshire | 21 | 36.92x |
| Leicestershire | 8 | 11.93x |
| Surrey | 6 | 2.04x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 3.93x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.83x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 2.45x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.42x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 2.11x |
| Durham | 2 | 1.11x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.79x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.23x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 2.13x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.03x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rothwell in Northamptonshire leads with 8 Liners recorded in 1881 and an index of 1403.51x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Rothwell | 8 | 1403.51x |
| Desborough | 7 | 1627.91x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 7 | 42.81x |
| Cransley | 6 | 8571.43x |
| Sanderstead | 6 | 7500.00x |
| Birmingham | 5 | 9.84x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 4 | 18.48x |
| Everton | 2 | 8.75x |
| Hasland | 2 | 208.33x |
| Monkwearmouth Shore | 2 | 56.98x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 18.78x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 8.77x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 11.40x |
| Great Bowden | 1 | 163.93x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.71x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 26.67x |
| Paisley High Church | 1 | 26.81x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 10.31x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 3.10x |
| Taunton St Mary | 1 | 55.87x |
| West Retford | 1 | 588.24x |
| Wolstanton | 1 | 16.13x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Liner 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 Liner surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Liner surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 27 in 2016. That gives Liner a modern rank of #36,189.
An occupational surname referring to a linen weaver, linen merchant, or one who works with linen fabric.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Liner 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.