UK surname
An English surname derived from a contracted form of "little son".
In the 1881 census there were 90 people recorded with the Litson surname, ranking it #20,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 62, ranked #34,227, down from #20,965 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Anne Limehouse, Pilton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Litson is 127 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 31.1%.
1881 census count
90
Ranked #20,965
Modern count
62
2016, ranked #34,227
Peak year
1911
127 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Litson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Litson surname density by area, 1911 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 | 64 | #21,914 |
| 1861 | historical | 64 | #25,747 |
| 1881 | historical | 90 | #20,965 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 122 | #20,344 |
| 1911 | historical | 127 | #19,749 |
| 1997 | modern | 63 | #31,335 |
| 1998 | modern | 68 | #31,181 |
| 1999 | modern | 68 | #31,311 |
| 2000 | modern | 68 | #31,380 |
| 2001 | modern | 68 | #31,195 |
| 2002 | modern | 70 | #31,432 |
| 2003 | modern | 68 | #31,689 |
| 2004 | modern | 65 | #32,177 |
| 2005 | modern | 67 | #32,196 |
| 2006 | modern | 67 | #32,532 |
| 2007 | modern | 64 | #33,145 |
| 2008 | modern | 64 | #33,402 |
| 2009 | modern | 68 | #33,341 |
| 2010 | modern | 68 | #33,632 |
| 2011 | modern | 61 | #34,121 |
| 2012 | modern | 61 | #34,228 |
| 2013 | modern | 63 | #34,193 |
| 2014 | modern | 60 | #34,400 |
| 2015 | modern | 63 | #34,178 |
| 2016 | modern | 62 | #34,227 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Anne Limehouse, Pilton, London parishes, St Woollos (incl. Newport) and Linton. 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 | St Anne Limehouse | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Pilton | Devon |
| 3 | London parishes | London 2 |
| 4 | St Woollos (incl. Newport) | Monmouthshire |
| 5 | Linton | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Litson 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 Litson, 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 Litson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Litson 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, Litson 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 Litson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Litson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Litson is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English words "lite" meaning small or little, and "tun" meaning a farm or settlement. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a small village or hamlet.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from the year 1327, where a John Lyttelton is listed. This spelling variation, with the addition of an extra "l", suggests a possible connection to the placename Littleton, which exists in various parts of England.
The Litson name also appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, where a Robert Lyttelson is mentioned. These early records provide evidence of the name's existence and its evolution over time.
Notable individuals with the surname Litson include Sir Thomas Littleton (c. 1407-1481), an English judge and legal scholar who authored the influential treatise "Littleton's Tenures". This work became a foundational text for the study of property law in England.
Another noteworthy figure was John Lyttelton (c. 1561-1601), an English lawyer and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as the Recorder of Coventry and was involved in various legal and political matters of the time.
In the 17th century, Sir Thomas Lyttelton (1647-1709) was a prominent English politician and served as the Speaker of the House of Commons from 1698 to 1700. He was also a member of the Privy Council and played a significant role in the events leading up to the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
During the 18th century, George Lyttelton (1709-1773) was a notable English politician, writer, and patron of the arts. He served as the Secretary of the Prince of Wales and was a close friend of the poet Alexander Pope.
While the surname Litson may have originated from a place name or occupational descriptor, its evolution and various spellings over the centuries have contributed to its rich history and the accomplishments of those who bore this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Litson 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. Devon leads with 26 Litsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.23x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 26 | 14.23x |
| Middlesex | 26 | 2.96x |
| Monmouthshire | 8 | 12.61x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 3.27x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 2.90x |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 4.23x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.34x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 1.06x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.34x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.42x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.10x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.32x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.34x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Limehouse London in Middlesex leads with 15 Litsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 155.60x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Limehouse London | 15 | 155.60x |
| Brendon | 9 | 12857.14x |
| Lynton | 9 | 2500.00x |
| St Woollos | 8 | 112.99x |
| Islington London | 6 | 7.05x |
| Aberdare | 5 | 47.66x |
| Bristol St Paul In | 5 | 108.93x |
| Bromley London | 5 | 25.89x |
| Combmartin | 5 | 1250.00x |
| Nottingham Standard | 5 | 1666.67x |
| Countisbury | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 3 | 12.99x |
| Glasgow | 3 | 5.95x |
| Altofts | 2 | 208.33x |
| Bridgnorth St Mary | 1 | 135.14x |
| Deptford St Nicholas | 1 | 42.02x |
| Everton | 1 | 3.01x |
| Exford | 1 | 714.29x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 4.78x |
| Porlock | 1 | 434.78x |
| Wednesbury | 1 | 13.50x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Litson 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 Litson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 90 people were recorded with the Litson surname. That placed it at #20,965 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 62 in 2016. That gives Litson a modern rank of #34,227.
An English surname derived from a contracted form of "little son".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Litson 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.