NameCensus.

UK surname

Lingham

An English surname derived from a place name, referring to someone from Lingham or Lingholm.

In the 1881 census there were 266 people recorded with the Lingham surname, ranking it #10,589 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 521, ranked #9,701, up from #10,589 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Northfleet, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew and Wolstanton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tonbridge and Malling, Wealden and Tunbridge Wells.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lingham is 563 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 95.9%.

1881 census count

266

Ranked #10,589

Modern count

521

2016, ranked #9,701

Peak year

2002

563 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lingham had 266 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,589 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016, ranked #9,701.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 445 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Lingham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lingham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lingham 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 218 #9,754
1861 historical 220 #11,076
1881 historical 266 #10,589
1891 historical 351 #9,809
1901 historical 381 #9,799
1911 historical 445 #8,582
1997 modern 535 #8,852
1998 modern 555 #8,866
1999 modern 552 #8,959
2000 modern 545 #9,017
2001 modern 539 #8,936
2002 modern 563 #8,821
2003 modern 539 #8,981
2004 modern 530 #9,117
2005 modern 522 #9,159
2006 modern 527 #9,106
2007 modern 530 #9,144
2008 modern 529 #9,229
2009 modern 544 #9,247
2010 modern 540 #9,491
2011 modern 526 #9,598
2012 modern 516 #9,654
2013 modern 538 #9,514
2014 modern 535 #9,594
2015 modern 518 #9,761
2016 modern 521 #9,701

Geography

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Where Linghams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Northfleet, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Wolstanton, London parishes and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tonbridge and Malling, Wealden, Tunbridge Wells, Medway and Gravesham. 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 Northfleet Kent
2 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
3 Wolstanton Staffordshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tonbridge and Malling 002 Tonbridge and Malling
2 Wealden 007 Wealden
3 Tunbridge Wells 001 Tunbridge Wells
4 Medway 011 Medway
5 Gravesham 003 Gravesham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lingham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lingham

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Lingham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Lingham household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Lingham is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lingham is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lingham falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lingham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Lingham

The surname Lingham has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "lim," meaning a limb or branch, and the suffix "-ham," meaning a homestead or village. This suggests that the name may have originated from a place name, referring to a settlement located near a prominent tree or branch.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lingham can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landowners and their properties across England. This historic record mentions a person named Alwin de Lingeham, residing in Lincolnshire.

During the medieval period, the name Lingham appeared in various spellings, including Lingam, Linghame, and Lyngham, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. These variations can be found in various historical documents and records from different regions of England.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named William Lingham (c. 1510-1580) gained recognition as a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London. He was involved in the governance of the city and played a role in its economic affairs.

Another prominent individual with the surname Lingham was Sir John Lingham (1665-1737), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for the borough of Ipswich in the early 18th century. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his influence in the region.

In the 19th century, the name Lingham was associated with several notable figures, including Thomas Lingham (1796-1875), a successful businessman and philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of the city of Hull in Yorkshire.

John Lingham (1828-1901) was a prominent architect and civil engineer who was responsible for designing and constructing several notable buildings and infrastructure projects in London and other parts of England during the Victorian era.

Another noteworthy individual was Mary Lingham (1865-1942), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She played a crucial role in establishing educational opportunities for women and fought for gender equality in various spheres of society.

While the surname Lingham has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, its origins can be traced back to the English regions, where it emerged as a place name before becoming an established surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lingham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lingham 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. Kent leads with 76 Linghams recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.62x.

County Total Index
Kent 76 8.62x
Lancashire 48 1.56x
Sussex 39 8.95x
Surrey 27 2.14x
Cheshire 16 2.80x
Middlesex 15 0.58x
Staffordshire 10 1.15x
Worcestershire 9 2.67x
Essex 7 1.37x
Dorset 6 3.54x
Oxfordshire 6 3.76x
Hertfordshire 2 1.12x
Devon 1 0.19x
Glamorgan 1 0.22x
Lanarkshire 1 0.12x
Royal Navy 1 3.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northfleet in Kent leads with 22 Linghams recorded in 1881 and an index of 283.14x.

Place Total Index
Northfleet 22 283.14x
Maidstone 16 60.91x
Manchester 13 9.42x
West Derby 12 13.37x
Church Coppenhall 9 352.94x
Hastings St Leonards 9 140.41x
Lambeth 9 3.99x
Wolstanton 9 33.96x
Bexhill 8 368.66x
Brighton 8 9.10x
Deptford St Paul 7 10.29x
Waltham 7 1555.56x
Denton 6 88.24x
Fordham 6 967.74x
Openshaw 6 41.78x
Stoke Abbott 6 1224.49x
Battersea 5 5.26x
Frindsbury 5 150.60x
Hastings Holy Trinity 5 155.76x
Lewisham 5 10.63x
Minster In Sheppey 5 34.22x
Egham 4 51.75x
St George Hanover Square 4 8.78x
Whistones 4 163.93x
Broadwater 3 30.00x
Camberwell 3 1.82x
Deptford St Nicholas 3 42.86x
Iffley 3 222.22x
Kensington London 3 2.09x
Lee 3 23.44x
Mile End Old Town London 3 5.45x
Orell Ford 3 535.71x
Sutton 3 29.15x
Bradford 2 13.93x
Claines 2 21.60x
Clapham 2 6.19x
Congleton 2 20.28x
Hurdsfield 2 56.98x
Islington London 2 0.80x
Liverpool 2 1.07x
Macclesfield 2 7.89x
Oxford St Ebbe 2 42.55x
Putney 2 16.98x
Sutton 2 21.95x
Yardley 2 23.15x
Acton 1 6.60x
Ashford 1 11.64x
Barony 1 0.47x
Cardiff St Mary 1 4.03x
Greenwich 1 2.43x
Hastings St Clement 1 24.39x
Hastings St Mary 1 9.22x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 10.75x
Heathfield 1 56.50x
Hove 1 5.23x
Kimpton 1 119.05x
Luddesdown 1 416.67x
Monks Coppenhall 1 4.64x
Oxford St Clement 1 24.81x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.41x
Preston 1 1.22x
Royal Navy 1 3.80x
Shoreditch London 1 0.89x
South Bersted 1 26.95x
Theydon Garnon 1 85.47x
Upton On Severn 1 45.25x
Watford 1 7.24x
Westminster St James 1 3.76x
Wolstanton Oldcott 1 31.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Jane 10
Elizabeth 7
Emma 7
Sarah 7
Eliza 6
Ann 5
Charlotte 5
Edith 4
Emily 4
Lucy 4
Alice 3
Clara 3
Hannah 3
Matilda 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Eleanor 2
Ellen 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Isabella 2
Marianne 2
Nellie 2
Rose 2
Barbara 1
Blanche 1
C. 1
Caroline 1
Carrie 1
Catherine 1
Etheldreda 1
Eunice 1
Frances 1
Georgiana 1
Harriet 1
Helling 1
Jenn... 1
Julia 1
Juliana 1
Kate 1
Lilian 1
Lillian 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Mable 1
Margaret 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 12
William 12
George 11
Henry 11
Thomas 11
John 9
James 7
Alfred 4
Benjamin 4
Albert 3
Wm. 3
David 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Randle 2
Stephen 2
Aaron 1
Alf.T. 1
Alfd. 1
Alfd.Jas. 1
Arthur 1
Augustus 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
G.J. 1
Gilbert 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Leonard 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Randall 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Robt.W. 1
Sydney 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Lingham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lingham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 266 people were recorded with the Lingham surname. That placed it at #10,589 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lingham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016. That gives Lingham a modern rank of #9,701.

What does the Lingham surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name, referring to someone from Lingham or Lingholm.

What does the Lingham map show?

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