NameCensus.

UK surname

Lis

A surname of French origin, derived from the French word "lis," meaning "lily," likely referring to one who lived near lilies.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Merton, Gosport and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lis is 566 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

566

2016, ranked #9,075

Peak year

2016

566 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 566 in 2016, ranked #9,075.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Lis surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lis surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lis 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
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1997 modern 83 #29,216
1998 modern 100 #27,619
1999 modern 97 #28,187
2000 modern 95 #28,441
2001 modern 90 #28,793
2002 modern 91 #29,181
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 119 #25,200
2005 modern 161 #20,799
2006 modern 225 #16,941
2007 modern 275 #14,888
2008 modern 302 #14,069
2009 modern 327 #13,599
2010 modern 358 #13,001
2011 modern 399 #11,882
2012 modern 494 #9,959
2013 modern 520 #9,734
2014 modern 564 #9,208
2015 modern 562 #9,141
2016 modern 566 #9,075

Geography

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Where Lis' 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 Merton, Gosport, Kirklees, Blaby and Ryedale. 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 Merton 007 Merton
2 Gosport 009 Gosport
3 Kirklees 031 Kirklees
4 Blaby 005 Blaby
5 Ryedale 003 Ryedale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lis

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lis

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Lis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Lis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Lis is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lis 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

Lis falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lis 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Lis

The surname Lis has its origins in Poland, where it first appeared in the 11th century. It is derived from the Polish word "lisi," which means "fox-like" or "cunning." This suggests that the name may have been given as a nickname to someone perceived as clever or crafty.

In the early days, the name was often spelled as "Lys" or "Lyss," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common before standardization. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 13th-century "Liber Beneficiorum" (Book of Benefices), a manuscript detailing church records in the Krakow region.

The Lis surname is also associated with several place names in Poland, such as the village of Lisy and the town of Lisie Pole. These place names may have contributed to the widespread adoption of the surname in those areas.

One notable figure bearing the Lis surname was Stanisław Lis (1550-1623), a Polish nobleman and military commander who served under King Sigismund III Vasa. He played a crucial role in defending Poland against the Swedish invasion during the Polish-Swedish War.

Another prominent individual was Jan Lis (1671-1736), a Polish Jesuit priest and historian who authored several works on the history of Poland and the Catholic Church. His most famous work, "De Origine et Rebus Gestis Polonorum" (On the Origin and Deeds of the Poles), was published in 1719.

In the 19th century, Karol Lis (1811-1876) was a Polish artist renowned for his landscape paintings. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and later became a professor there, influencing generations of Polish painters.

Aleksander Lis (1857-1918) was a Polish engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of the telephone. He worked closely with Alexander Graham Bell and was instrumental in introducing the telephone to Poland.

Finally, Maria Lis (1923-2018) was a Polish writer and Holocaust survivor. Her memoir, "Landscape of a Lost Childhood," recounted her experiences as a child during World War II and the Nazi occupation of Poland. It became a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Lis surname: questions and answers

How common is the Lis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 566 in 2016. That gives Lis a modern rank of #9,075.

What does the Lis surname mean?

A surname of French origin, derived from the French word "lis," meaning "lily," likely referring to one who lived near lilies.

What does the Lis map show?

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