UK surname
A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Lisson in Normandy, France.
In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Lisson surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #28,011 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Basford, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lisson is 120 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 80.0%.
1881 census count
40
Ranked #28,011
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1891
120 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lisson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lisson surname density by area, 1891 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 | 23 | #29,205 |
| 1861 | historical | 70 | #24,911 |
| 1881 | historical | 40 | #28,011 |
| 1891 | historical | 120 | #21,292 |
| 1901 | historical | 18 | #32,032 |
| 1911 | historical | 44 | #28,454 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1999 | modern | 6 | #37,696 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 7 | #37,293 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 10 | #36,964 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 9 | #37,345 |
| 2007 | modern | 9 | #37,435 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Basford, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, St Pancras, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Penrith. 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 | Basford | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory | Northamptonshire |
| 5 | Penrith | Cumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lisson 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 Lisson, 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 Lisson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lisson 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, Lisson 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 Lisson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lisson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lisson has its origins in England, with roots dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hlissan," which means "to listen or hearken." This suggests that the name may have originally been an occupational surname for a messenger or town crier whose job was to make proclamations and announcements to the public.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in historical records from the counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in the West Midlands region of England. One of the earliest documented references is in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1198, which mentions a William Lissun.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various spellings such as Lissone, Lissun, and Lisshon, reflecting the regional dialects and variations in pronunciation. These early spellings are also indicative of the name's potential connection to place names or locations, as was common with many English surnames during that time.
One notable historical figure bearing the Lisson surname was Sir John Lisson (c. 1500-1567), a wealthy merchant and alderman of the City of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1554 and was known for his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of a free grammar school in Warwickshire.
Another prominent individual was Thomas Lisson (1638-1712), a renowned architect and surveyor who worked on several notable buildings in London, including the reconstruction of St. Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of 1666.
In the 18th century, the name appeared in various records related to the Lisson Green area of London, which was named after the Lisson family who owned land there. One such record mentions a William Lisson (1715-1793), a successful businessman and landowner in the area.
During the 19th century, the Lisson surname was found scattered across various parts of England, with individuals such as John Lisson (1818-1892), a prominent industrialist and inventor from Derbyshire, and William Lisson (1842-1921), a renowned artist and illustrator from London.
Over the centuries, the Lisson name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, architects, industrialists, and artists, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this surname throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lisson 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. Middlesex leads with 20 Lissons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 20 | 5.13x |
| Lancashire | 16 | 3.46x |
| Dorset | 1 | 3.91x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 2.73x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.90x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 1.02x |
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 8 Lissons recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.16x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 8 | 21.16x |
| Liverpool | 7 | 24.90x |
| Kirkdale | 5 | 64.18x |
| Mile End New Town London | 5 | 649.35x |
| Kensington London | 3 | 13.84x |
| Limehouse London | 2 | 46.73x |
| Aston | 1 | 3.69x |
| Bury | 1 | 18.90x |
| North Meols | 1 | 22.08x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 7.35x |
| Sherborne | 1 | 133.33x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 27.25x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 3.19x |
| Stamford Baron St Martin | 1 | 500.00x |
| Stretford | 1 | 39.22x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 6.38x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lisson 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 Lisson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Lisson surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Lisson a modern rank of #37,829.
A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Lisson in Normandy, France.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lisson 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.