UK surname
Derived from a location name, likely referring to someone from a place called Livington.
In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Livington surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #28,418 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Heckfield, St Pancras and St James Clerkenwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Livington is 214 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 83.8%.
1881 census count
37
Ranked #28,418
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1861
214 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Livington surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Livington 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 | 113 | #15,815 |
| 1861 | historical | 214 | #11,365 |
| 1881 | historical | 37 | #28,418 |
| 1891 | historical | 98 | #24,313 |
| 1901 | historical | 88 | #24,270 |
| 1911 | historical | 106 | #21,948 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 6 | #37,696 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 9 | #36,980 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 6 | #38,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 6 | #38,008 |
| 2013 | modern | 4 | #38,359 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Heckfield, St Pancras, St James Clerkenwell, Eccles and Brighton. 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 | Heckfield | Hampshire |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | St James Clerkenwell | London (Central Districts) |
| 4 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 5 | Brighton | Sussex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Livington 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 Livington, 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 Livington surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Livington 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, Livington 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 Livington is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Livington, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Livington is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "lif" meaning "life" and "tun" meaning "town" or "settlement". This suggests the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a village or town associated with vitality or prosperity.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279, where it is listed as "Richard de Lyfyngton". This spelling variation provides insight into the name's evolution over time, with the modern form "Livington" emerging in later centuries.
In the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, there is a reference to a place called "Lifingeston", which could be a precursor to the surname's origin. The name may have been adopted by individuals hailing from this location or a similar area.
Notable individuals with the surname Livington include Sir Robert Livington (1608-1673), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the Commonwealth period. Another prominent figure was John Livington (1766-1835), a British naval officer who participated in the Napoleonic Wars and became a Vice-Admiral.
In the literary realm, Edward Livington (1815-1876) was an American writer and journalist known for his contributions to the New York Evening Post. He published several works, including a memoir titled "Reminiscences of a Journalist".
The surname Livington also has connections to the arts. Mary Livington (1844-1923) was a British painter and illustrator who gained recognition for her depictions of rural life and landscapes. Her works were exhibited at the Royal Academy and other prestigious galleries.
In the field of education, William Livington (1723-1790) was a notable Scottish clergyman and educator. He served as the Principal of the University of Glasgow and played a significant role in the Scottish Enlightenment.
These examples showcase the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have borne the surname Livington throughout history, contributing to various fields and leaving their mark on various societies.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Livington 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. Surrey leads with 14 Livingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.42x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 14 | 8.42x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 2.64x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 4.29x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 3.74x |
| Essex | 2 | 2.97x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.72x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 2.59x |
| Dorset | 1 | 4.47x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.25x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Merstham in Surrey leads with 11 Livingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Merstham | 11 | 10000.00x |
| St Pancras London | 6 | 21.84x |
| Leyton Low | 2 | 145.99x |
| Litchurch | 2 | 93.02x |
| Portsea | 2 | 14.59x |
| Rotherhithe | 2 | 47.39x |
| St Martin In Fields | 2 | 98.04x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 5.23x |
| Hartley Wintney | 1 | 476.19x |
| Oldham | 1 | 7.65x |
| Plumstead | 1 | 25.77x |
| Saltash | 1 | 333.33x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 14.56x |
| Whitstable | 1 | 175.44x |
| Wyke Regis | 1 | 312.50x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Livington 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 Livington surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Livington surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Livington a modern rank of #38,110.
Derived from a location name, likely referring to someone from a place called Livington.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Livington 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.