NameCensus.

UK surname

Livermore

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a large pond or by a watercourse.

In the 1881 census there were 1,002 people recorded with the Livermore surname, ranking it #3,897 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,325, ranked #4,530, down from #3,897 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Felstead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ceredigion, Southend-on-Sea and Braintree.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Livermore is 1,487 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.2%.

1881 census count

1,002

Ranked #3,897

Modern count

1,325

2016, ranked #4,530

Peak year

1999

1,487 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Livermore had 1,002 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,897 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,325 in 2016, ranked #4,530.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,400 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Livermore surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Livermore surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Livermore 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 646 #4,019
1861 historical 564 #4,667
1881 historical 1,002 #3,897
1891 historical 1,065 #3,942
1901 historical 1,322 #3,786
1911 historical 1,400 #3,450
1997 modern 1,398 #4,145
1998 modern 1,469 #4,121
1999 modern 1,487 #4,116
2000 modern 1,437 #4,208
2001 modern 1,405 #4,206
2002 modern 1,440 #4,204
2003 modern 1,403 #4,223
2004 modern 1,386 #4,261
2005 modern 1,323 #4,375
2006 modern 1,322 #4,386
2007 modern 1,312 #4,449
2008 modern 1,307 #4,491
2009 modern 1,330 #4,517
2010 modern 1,337 #4,579
2011 modern 1,309 #4,614
2012 modern 1,309 #4,546
2013 modern 1,324 #4,573
2014 modern 1,315 #4,625
2015 modern 1,322 #4,566
2016 modern 1,325 #4,530

Geography

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Where Livermores are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Felstead, St Marylebone and Enfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ceredigion, Southend-on-Sea, Braintree, Rochford and Tonbridge and Malling. 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 London parishes London 3
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Felstead Essex
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 Enfield Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ceredigion 003 Ceredigion
2 Southend-on-Sea 001 Southend-on-Sea
3 Braintree 008 Braintree
4 Rochford 009 Rochford
5 Tonbridge and Malling 010 Tonbridge and Malling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Livermore

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Livermore

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Livermore surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Livermore household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Livermore is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Livermore is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Livermore falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Livermore 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 Livermore, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Livermore

The surname Livermore is of English origin, deriving from the town of Livermere in Suffolk, England. The name is believed to have originated in the 11th century, likely referring to a resident or landowner from that area.

The earliest known record of the surname Livermore appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Liuremere". This ancient text, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property across England.

Over time, the spelling of the name evolved, with variations such as Lyvermere, Lyvermer, and Lyvermore appearing in various historical documents and records. These variations reflect the regional dialects and variations in pronunciation and spelling during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was Sir John Livermore, a prominent English nobleman who lived in the 13th century. He served as a knight and fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence under King Edward I.

Another notable figure was Sir Walter Livermore, born in 1482, who was a member of the English gentry and served as a courtier to King Henry VIII. He was known for his loyalty and service to the crown during the Tudor period.

In the 17th century, a notable bearer of the surname was Robert Livermore, born in 1608, who emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634. He became a prominent figure in the early days of New England and was one of the founders of the town of Weston, Massachusetts.

During the American Revolutionary War, Samuel Livermore, born in 1732, was a prominent figure and served as a member of the Continental Congress and as a United States Senator from New Hampshire. He played a crucial role in the early years of the United States government.

Another significant figure was Mary Livermore, born in 1820, who was a pioneering American journalist, advocate for women's rights, and an influential figure in the temperance movement. She was a prolific writer and public speaker, and her work helped shape the social and political landscape of the 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Livermore families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Livermore 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. Middlesex leads with 350 Livermores recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.55x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 350 3.55x
Essex 308 15.81x
Cambridgeshire 91 14.55x
Surrey 60 1.25x
Kent 31 0.92x
Devon 29 1.41x
Hertfordshire 26 3.82x
Sussex 16 0.96x
Channel Islands 10 3.42x
Hampshire 10 0.49x
Cheshire 9 0.41x
Northumberland 8 0.54x
Yorkshire 8 0.08x
Gloucestershire 7 0.36x
Glamorgan 5 0.29x
Lancashire 5 0.04x
Staffordshire 5 0.15x
Berkshire 4 0.54x
Denbighshire 4 1.07x
Derbyshire 4 0.26x
Warwickshire 4 0.16x
Norfolk 3 0.20x
Wiltshire 3 0.34x
Durham 2 0.07x
Leicestershire 2 0.18x
Oxfordshire 2 0.33x
Suffolk 2 0.17x
Bedfordshire 1 0.20x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.24x
Northamptonshire 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 0.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Felstead in Essex leads with 45 Livermores recorded in 1881 and an index of 673.65x.

Place Total Index
Felstead 45 673.65x
St Marylebone London 36 6.83x
Bethnal Green London 27 6.30x
St Pancras London 25 3.15x
Enfield 24 37.05x
Grays Thurrock 22 121.48x
St Andrewthe Less 22 30.80x
Islington London 21 2.19x
Shoreditch London 19 4.44x
Bocking 17 145.05x
Hackney London 17 3.07x
Braintree 16 91.43x
Tottenham 16 10.18x
Lambeth 15 1.74x
Edmonton 14 17.60x
Southminster 14 327.87x
Bishop Stortford 13 57.19x
Fulham London 13 9.08x
West Ham 13 3.02x
Bermondsey 12 4.08x
Bromley London 12 5.53x
Woodbury 12 197.04x
Hampstead London 11 7.15x
Mile End Old Town London 11 5.24x
Black Notley 10 444.44x
Boreham 10 297.62x
Kingston On Thames 10 8.65x
Acton 9 15.55x
Little Wilbraham 9 647.48x
Maldon St Peter 9 90.63x
Rawreth 9 803.57x
St George Hanover Square 9 5.17x
Birkenhead 8 4.61x
Fordham 8 198.02x
Great Chishall 8 571.43x
Great Dunmow 8 78.82x
Great Wilbraham 8 432.43x
Lewisham 8 4.45x
Wallsend 8 17.17x
Balsham 7 204.68x
Bow London 7 5.57x
St Albans St Peter 7 30.49x
St Saviour 7 43.29x
Tetbury 7 63.75x
Ulting 7 1272.73x
Great Leighs 6 236.22x
Hammersmith London 6 2.47x
Kensington London 6 1.09x
Milton In Gravesend 6 11.88x
Ore 6 48.43x
Saffron Walden 6 29.14x
St Luke London 6 3.79x
Weston Colville 6 338.98x
Wethersfield 6 122.20x
Chelmsford 5 14.96x
High Bickington 5 214.59x
Hinxton 5 431.03x
Linton 5 84.18x
Portsea 5 1.26x
Ratcliffe London 5 9.17x
Streatham 5 6.83x
Walthamstow 5 7.13x
Warley 5 17.69x
Westminster St James 5 4.93x
Whitechapel London 5 5.14x
Broomfield 4 130.72x
Coventry Holy Trinity 4 5.38x
Dawlish 4 26.09x
Finchley 4 10.57x
Great Waltham 4 50.38x
Hendon 4 11.26x
Heybridge 4 70.55x
Leigh 4 59.00x
Newington 4 1.10x
Paddington London 4 1.10x
Rayne 4 291.97x
Ruabon 4 7.80x
South Benfleet 4 173.91x
South Shoebury 4 51.09x
West Derby 4 1.17x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 55
James 43
John 42
Charles 29
George 28
Thomas 25
Henry 19
Arthur 18
Joseph 18
Edward 15
Alfred 13
Robert 12
Samuel 12
Frederick 10
Albert 9
Harry 8
Ernest 7
Isaac 7
Daniel 6
Walter 6
Herbert 5
Richard 5
Francis 4
Wm. 4
Fredk. 3
Owen 3
Thos. 3
Amos 2
Benjamin 2
Edwin 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Graham 2
Jacob 2
Lechmere 2
Mark 2
Nathaniel 2
Philip 2
Stephen 2
Willm. 2
Archibald 1
Arthr. 1
Bertie 1
Charley 1
Frances 1
Frank 1
Fredk 1
Jabez 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1

FAQ

Livermore surname: questions and answers

How common was the Livermore surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,002 people were recorded with the Livermore surname. That placed it at #3,897 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Livermore surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,325 in 2016. That gives Livermore a modern rank of #4,530.

What does the Livermore surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a large pond or by a watercourse.

What does the Livermore map show?

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