NameCensus.

UK surname

Littler

A diminutive surname indicating a smaller or lesser person.

In the 1881 census there were 1,988 people recorded with the Littler surname, ranking it #2,212 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,935, ranked #2,300, down from #2,212 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Wigan and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and St. Helens.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Littler is 3,200 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.6%.

1881 census count

1,988

Ranked #2,212

Modern count

2,935

2016, ranked #2,300

Peak year

1999

3,200 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Littler had 1,988 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,212 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,935 in 2016, ranked #2,300.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,854 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Littler surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Littler surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Littler 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 969 #2,877
1861 historical 881 #3,147
1881 historical 1,988 #2,212
1891 historical 1,992 #2,313
1901 historical 2,492 #2,192
1911 historical 2,854 #1,827
1997 modern 3,078 #2,082
1998 modern 3,131 #2,142
1999 modern 3,200 #2,110
2000 modern 3,183 #2,110
2001 modern 3,105 #2,111
2002 modern 3,149 #2,130
2003 modern 3,109 #2,109
2004 modern 3,088 #2,128
2005 modern 2,990 #2,165
2006 modern 2,931 #2,207
2007 modern 2,931 #2,236
2008 modern 2,955 #2,227
2009 modern 3,067 #2,197
2010 modern 3,081 #2,237
2011 modern 3,066 #2,218
2012 modern 2,949 #2,271
2013 modern 2,977 #2,290
2014 modern 2,989 #2,296
2015 modern 2,959 #2,289
2016 modern 2,935 #2,300

Geography

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Where Littlers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Wigan, Manchester, Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich) and Chester St John the Baptist, St Mary-on-the-Hill, St Olave, St Michael, Spittle Boughton, Chester Ca. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and St. Helens. 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 Winwick Lancashire
2 Wigan Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Great Budworth (Witton with Twambrook), Davenham (Leftwich) Cheshire
5 Chester St John the Baptist, St Mary-on-the-Hill, St Olave, St Michael, Spittle Boughton, Chester Ca Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cheshire West and Chester 025 Cheshire West and Chester
2 Halton 004 Halton
3 St. Helens 019 St. Helens
4 St. Helens 015 St. Helens
5 Halton 013 Halton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Littler

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Littler

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Littler surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Littler 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Littler is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Littler is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Littler falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Littler is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Littler

The surname Littler originates from England and dates back to the late 12th century. It is a locational name derived from the Old English words 'lytel' meaning small or little and 'ær' meaning a dweller. The name refers to someone who lived in a small or little place.

The earliest recorded instances of the Littler surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Hertfordshire in 1195, where it appears as 'Liteler'. Other early spellings include Lytler, Lyteler, and Lyttler. The name is also found in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk in 1273 as 'Lyttelere'.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several place names that may have contributed to the formation of the Littler surname. These include Litelbyrig in Shropshire, Litelcotes in Derbyshire, and Litelmere in Oxfordshire.

Prominent individuals with the Littler surname include John Littler (1565-1623), an English clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of St. Davids in Wales. Another notable figure is Robert Littler (1728-1808), a British military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War.

During the 16th century, the Littler family was well-established in the county of Lancashire. Thomas Littler (1518-1587) was a wealthy landowner and a member of the gentry class in Walton-le-Dale, near Preston. His grandson, Edward Littler (1574-1648), was a prominent lawyer and served as the Recorder of Preston.

In the 18th century, Sir Ralph Littler (1722-1798) was a successful merchant and landowner in Liverpool. He served as the Mayor of Liverpool in 1779 and was knighted for his contributions to the city's trade and commerce.

Another notable figure is John Littler (1783-1857), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Manchester, including the Royal Manchester Institution and the Salford Royal Hospital.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Littler families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Littler 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. Lancashire leads with 792 Littlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.44x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 792 3.44x
Cheshire 612 14.30x
Staffordshire 217 3.32x
Flintshire 49 9.40x
Warwickshire 45 0.92x
Middlesex 41 0.21x
Leicestershire 38 1.77x
Denbighshire 29 3.96x
Essex 23 0.60x
Yorkshire 22 0.11x
Nottinghamshire 21 0.80x
Durham 14 0.24x
Shropshire 11 0.66x
Caernarfonshire 10 1.28x
Surrey 9 0.10x
Dorset 8 0.63x
Northamptonshire 7 0.38x
Hampshire 6 0.15x
Derbyshire 5 0.16x
Hertfordshire 5 0.37x
Devon 4 0.10x
Kent 3 0.05x
Royal Navy 3 1.30x
Gloucestershire 2 0.05x
Monmouthshire 2 0.14x
Northumberland 2 0.07x
Rutland 2 1.41x
Wiltshire 2 0.12x
Worcestershire 2 0.08x
Norfolk 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton In Makerfield in Lancashire leads with 119 Littlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 181.71x.

Place Total Index
Ashton In Makerfield 119 181.71x
Windle 53 40.96x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 52 136.55x
Billinge Chapel End 51 395.35x
Wigan 46 14.31x
Stoke Upon Trent 44 6.34x
West Derby 44 6.54x
Walsall Foreign 42 12.43x
Aston 41 3.05x
Runcorn 40 40.55x
Burntwood Edial 37 88.54x
Liverpool 35 2.51x
Over 34 78.18x
Holywell 32 48.91x
Castle Northwich 31 218.93x
Haydock 31 78.22x
Salford 29 4.29x
Manchester 27 2.61x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 26 52.83x
Birkenhead 25 7.33x
Wincham 25 316.86x
Chester St John Baptist 21 27.30x
Rugeley 19 40.47x
Burslem 18 9.60x
Chester St Mary On Hill 18 49.05x
Marston 18 276.50x
Parr 17 20.66x
Liscard 16 20.76x
Longdon 16 176.60x
Stockport 16 7.27x
Widnes 16 9.64x
Leicester St Margaret 15 2.86x
Chester St Oswald 14 18.07x
Dunham On The Hill 14 769.23x
Hindley 14 14.28x
Hulme 14 2.92x
Childer Thornton 13 315.53x
North Meols 12 5.33x
Smallthorne 12 49.42x
Stockton On Tees 12 4.32x
Sutton 12 15.56x
Toxteth Park 12 1.54x
Westhoughton 12 19.55x
Burnley 11 5.68x
Frodsham 11 66.39x
Winnington 11 232.07x
Crumpsall 10 18.45x
Eccleston In Prescot 10 8.66x
Great Budworth 10 131.93x
Newton 10 5.64x
Oldham 10 1.35x
Openshaw 10 9.28x
Whitchurch 10 30.77x
Wrexham Regis 10 18.39x
Blackburn 9 1.47x
Halifax 9 3.19x
Hose 9 307.17x
Melton Mowbray 9 23.29x
Northwich 9 132.16x
Broughton In Salford 8 3.80x
Garston 8 11.79x
Ince 8 360.36x
Kensington London 8 0.74x
Kingsley 8 100.25x
Lichfield St Mary 8 42.40x
Lymm 8 25.72x
Mouldsworth 8 661.16x
Newton In Makerfield 8 11.36x
Pemberton 8 8.72x
Pimperne 8 281.69x
Rudheath 8 238.10x
Urmston 8 53.62x
West Ham 8 0.95x
Worksop 8 10.33x
Alvanley 7 321.10x
Barrow In Furness 7 2.24x
Everton 7 0.95x
Heaton Norris 7 5.35x
Over Darwen 7 3.81x
Preston 7 1.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 154
Elizabeth 105
Sarah 90
Ann 55
Margaret 48
Ellen 36
Jane 36
Alice 33
Martha 33
Annie 30
Hannah 25
Eliza 18
Emma 17
Catherine 14
Harriet 14
Clara 11
Fanny 11
Esther 10
Florence 10
Lucy 10
Ada 9
Emily 9
Frances 9
Charlotte 8
Edith 7
Bertha 6
Louisa 6
Lydia 6
Ruth 6
Caroline 5
Eleanor 5
Elizth. 5
Harriett 5
Isabella 5
Kate 5
Nancy 5
Anne 4
Maria 4
Amy 3
Beatrice 3
Elizebeth 3
Margt. 3
Rebecca 3
Sophia 3
Agnes 2
Allice 2
Cathine 2
Cathrine 2
Jessie 2
Maud 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 148
William 114
Thomas 108
James 75
Joseph 73
George 51
Henry 44
Samuel 38
Richard 30
Robert 24
Charles 23
Edward 20
Arthur 17
Peter 17
Alfred 15
Walter 13
Albert 12
Frederick 12
Benjamin 8
Frank 8
David 7
Thos. 7
Harry 6
Isaac 5
Matthew 5
Ralph 5
Ernest 4
Fred 4
Herbert 4
Saml. 4
Wm. 4
Abraham 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Joshua 3
Philip 3
Tom 3
Charlie 2
Chas. 2
Edgar 2
Edmund 2
Elijah 2
Fredrick 2
Harold 2
Jonathan 2
Levi 2
Nathaniel 2
Noah 2
F. 1
Frances 1

FAQ

Littler surname: questions and answers

How common was the Littler surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,988 people were recorded with the Littler surname. That placed it at #2,212 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Littler surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,935 in 2016. That gives Littler a modern rank of #2,300.

What does the Littler surname mean?

A diminutive surname indicating a smaller or lesser person.

What does the Littler map show?

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