UK surname
An Anglicized variation of the French surname Lyon or Leon, derived from the Latin leo meaning "lion".
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Lions surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 32, ranked #35,887, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Sunderland and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lions is 146 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 23.8%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
32
2016, ranked #35,887
Peak year
1861
146 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lions surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lions 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 | 110 | #16,093 |
| 1861 | historical | 146 | #15,628 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 44 | #30,838 |
| 1901 | historical | 28 | #30,951 |
| 1911 | historical | 38 | #29,147 |
| 1997 | modern | 13 | #36,672 |
| 1998 | modern | 12 | #36,790 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 15 | #36,621 |
| 2006 | modern | 12 | #37,014 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 18 | #36,739 |
| 2012 | modern | 27 | #36,102 |
| 2013 | modern | 23 | #36,414 |
| 2014 | modern | 26 | #36,244 |
| 2015 | modern | 26 | #36,228 |
| 2016 | modern | 32 | #35,887 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Sunderland, St Pancras, Manchester and St Marylebone. 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 | Prestbury | Cheshire |
| 2 | Sunderland | Durham |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lions 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 Lions, 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 Lions surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lions 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, Lions 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 Lions is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lions, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LIONS is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be an occupational surname derived from the Old English word "leo," meaning lion, and was likely given to someone who worked with lions or kept them as pets or for entertainment purposes.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname LIONS can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Leonis." This suggests that the name was already established in England prior to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
During the Middle Ages, the surname LIONS was particularly prevalent in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It is possible that some bearers of the name may have been associated with the heraldic lions featured on the coats of arms of noble families in these regions.
In the 13th century, a notable figure named Richard LIONS (c. 1210-1276) was a prominent landowner and knight who served under King Henry III. He was also known for his involvement in the Second Barons' War against the monarch.
Another individual of note was Sir John LIONS (c. 1350-1418), a military commander who fought alongside Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. He was rewarded with lands and titles for his bravery on the battlefield.
During the Tudor period, a man named Thomas LIONS (c. 1480-1542) was a respected scholar and theologian who served as a canon at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
In the 17th century, a woman named Mary LIONS (c. 1620-1685) gained notoriety for her involvement in the English Civil War. She was a staunch Royalist and is said to have aided in the escape of King Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
Another figure of note was Sir Edward LIONS (1663-1728), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Bristol in the early 18th century.
While the surname LIONS may have originated as an occupational name, over the centuries it has become widespread throughout England and other parts of the British Isles, with many bearers of the name having no direct connection to its original meaning.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lions 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 11 Lions' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.26x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 11 | 2.26x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 1.95x |
| Devon | 6 | 7.04x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.23x |
| Surrey | 3 | 1.50x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 3.05x |
| Roxburghshire | 2 | 26.95x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.40x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.75x |
| Merionethshire | 1 | 13.35x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 2.60x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.97x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Salford in Lancashire leads with 10 Lions' recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.98x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Salford | 10 | 69.98x |
| Tavistock | 6 | 618.56x |
| Islington London | 4 | 10.08x |
| Guildford Holy Trinity | 3 | 789.47x |
| Hammersmith London | 2 | 19.82x |
| Roxburgh | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Wakefield | 2 | 64.10x |
| Bramham Cum Oglethorpe | 1 | 625.00x |
| Dunston | 1 | 909.09x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 1 | 12.11x |
| Festiniog | 1 | 63.29x |
| Govan | 1 | 3.05x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 39.37x |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 1 | 14.60x |
| Moulton | 1 | 312.50x |
| Nether Hallam | 1 | 18.21x |
| Northampton Priory St | 1 | 43.29x |
| Spitalfields London | 1 | 32.47x |
| St Luke London | 1 | 15.22x |
| Tottington Higher End | 1 | 181.82x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lions 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 Lions 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 Lions surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 32 in 2016. That gives Lions a modern rank of #35,887.
An Anglicized variation of the French surname Lyon or Leon, derived from the Latin leo meaning "lion".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lions 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.