NameCensus.

UK surname

Lionel

A surname derived from the French name Lionel, itself from the Germanic name Leuven meaning "lion".

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Lionel surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ceredigion, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lionel is 127 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1475.0%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2010

127 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lionel had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 19 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Lionel surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lionel surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lionel 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 6 #32,278
1861 historical 17 #31,714
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 19 #32,642
1901 historical 15 #32,383
1911 historical 17 #31,675
1997 modern 84 #29,106
1998 modern 80 #29,966
1999 modern 85 #29,578
2000 modern 95 #28,441
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 97 #28,383
2003 modern 90 #29,260
2004 modern 98 #28,297
2005 modern 97 #28,485
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 101 #28,505
2008 modern 110 #27,391
2009 modern 122 #26,220
2010 modern 127 #26,176
2011 modern 124 #26,367
2012 modern 117 #27,394
2013 modern 118 #27,686
2014 modern 120 #27,646
2015 modern 124 #26,944
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Lionels are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ceredigion, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Brent and Haringey. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ceredigion 005 Ceredigion
2 Kensington and Chelsea 004 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Westminster 004 Westminster
4 Brent 027 Brent
5 Haringey 024 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lionel

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lionel

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Lionel surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Lionel household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Lionel is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lionel is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lionel falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lionel is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Lionel

The surname Lionel is of French origin, derived from the Germanic personal name Leonhard, which itself comes from the elements "lewo" meaning "lion" and "hard" meaning "hardy" or "brave." Its earliest recorded use as a surname dates back to the 11th century in the Normandy region of France.

In the Middle Ages, the name Lionel was particularly popular among the Norman nobility. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the surname was Lionel de Antreaux, a Norman knight who fought in the First Crusade in the late 11th century.

The Lionel surname is believed to have been introduced to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, includes several entries for individuals with the name Lionel or variations such as Lyonel or Leonel.

In the 13th century, Lionel of Antwerp (c. 1209-1266), also known as Lionel the Englishman, was a prominent Franciscan friar and philosopher. He is notable for being one of the first scholars to introduce the works of Aristotle to the universities of Western Europe.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Lionel of Antwerp (1338-1368), the third son of King Edward III of England. He was created Duke of Clarence in 1362 and played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War against France.

During the Renaissance period, Lionel Woodville (c. 1446-1484) was a prominent English courtier and diplomat who served as the Bishop of Salisbury and Lord Chancellor of England under King Edward IV.

In the 17th century, Lionel Cranfield (1575-1645) was an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Treasurer and Chief Minister to King James I.

The Lionel surname has also been associated with several notable figures in the arts and sciences. For example, Lionel Trilling (1905-1975) was an influential American literary critic and teacher, while Lionel Tertis (1876-1975) was a renowned English violist and composer.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lionel families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lionel 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. Middlesex leads with 4 Lionels recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 5.13x
Kent 2 7.52x
Norfolk 1 8.34x
Warwickshire 1 5.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 3 Lionels recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.68x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 3 39.68x
Faversham 2 800.00x
Middleton 1 10000.00x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 1 1250.00x
St Marylebone London 1 24.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Hannah 1
Rebecca 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 1
John 1
Thomas 1
William 1

FAQ

Lionel surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lionel surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Lionel surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lionel surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Lionel a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Lionel surname mean?

A surname derived from the French name Lionel, itself from the Germanic name Leuven meaning "lion".

What does the Lionel map show?

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