NameCensus.

UK surname

Livsey

A locational surname referring to a resident of Livesay in West Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 1,052 people recorded with the Livsey surname, ranking it #3,746 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 564, ranked #9,103, down from #3,746 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Bury and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Selby and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Livsey is 1,052 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 46.4%.

1881 census count

1,052

Ranked #3,746

Modern count

564

2016, ranked #9,103

Peak year

1881

1,052 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Livsey had 1,052 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,746 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 564 in 2016, ranked #9,103.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,052 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Livsey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Livsey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Livsey 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 1,017 #2,746
1861 historical 894 #3,094
1881 historical 1,052 #3,746
1891 historical 911 #4,532
1901 historical 905 #5,127
1911 historical 871 #5,105
1997 modern 581 #8,331
1998 modern 584 #8,541
1999 modern 581 #8,622
2000 modern 566 #8,744
2001 modern 561 #8,672
2002 modern 574 #8,697
2003 modern 556 #8,770
2004 modern 538 #9,003
2005 modern 550 #8,784
2006 modern 535 #9,007
2007 modern 555 #8,841
2008 modern 545 #9,029
2009 modern 554 #9,117
2010 modern 556 #9,291
2011 modern 564 #9,095
2012 modern 551 #9,153
2013 modern 560 #9,196
2014 modern 567 #9,161
2015 modern 572 #9,036
2016 modern 564 #9,103

Geography

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Where Livseys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Bury, Manchester, Preston and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Selby and Leeds. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Bury Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Selby 003 Selby
2 Leeds 097 Leeds
3 Selby 008 Selby
4 Selby 005 Selby
5 Selby 002 Selby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Livsey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Livsey

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Livsey, 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 Livsey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Livsey 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Livsey is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Livsey 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

Livsey falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Livsey

The surname Livsey is of English origin, originating from the region of Lancashire in northern England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "lēah" meaning a meadow or clearing, and "sīc" meaning a small stream or brook. The name likely referred to someone who lived near a small stream in a meadow or clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Leuessic". This suggests that the name was already in use in England by the late 11th century.

Over time, the name evolved through various spellings such as Leuesiche, Levesiche, and Levesey before settling into its modern form of Livsey. The earliest known bearer of the name was Roger de Levesaye, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire in 1199.

The name is also associated with several place names in Lancashire, such as Livesay Hall and Livesay Fold, further reinforcing its regional origins. One notable bearer of the name was John Livesay (1632-1686), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.

Another prominent figure with the surname was Sir Michael Livesay (1609-1671), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Clitheroe in Lancashire during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Elizabeth Livesay (1736-1813) was a notable English Quaker minister and writer who traveled extensively and published several works promoting religious tolerance and social reform.

Additionally, Richard Livesay (1802-1876) was an English architect who designed several notable buildings in Lancashire, including the Burnley Mechanics' Institute and the Padiham Town Hall.

One of the more recent historical figures with the surname was Sir Robert Livesay (1887-1957), a British army officer who served in both World Wars and was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery during the First World War.

The surname Livsey continues to be found primarily in England, particularly in the regions of Lancashire and Yorkshire, reflecting its northern English origins and historical roots in the area.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Livsey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Livsey 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 861 Livseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.02x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 861 7.02x
Yorkshire 150 1.47x
Cheshire 13 0.57x
Dunbartonshire 6 2.16x
Cumberland 5 0.56x
Isle of Man 5 2.61x
Middlesex 5 0.05x
Glamorgan 3 0.17x
Kent 3 0.09x
Surrey 3 0.06x
Gloucestershire 2 0.10x
Denbighshire 1 0.26x
Northumberland 1 0.07x
Royal Navy 1 0.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bury in Lancashire leads with 96 Livseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.56x.

Place Total Index
Bury 96 68.56x
Castleton 66 53.91x
Heap 59 90.76x
Great Bolton 38 23.40x
Oldham 38 9.60x
Spotland 38 27.88x
Barlow 33 4459.46x
Royton 30 80.00x
Blackburn 17 5.21x
Hopwood 17 106.05x
Halliwell 15 33.62x
Pilkington 15 32.22x
Preston 15 4.57x
Salford 15 4.16x
Tottington Lower End 15 25.75x
Habergham Eaves 14 12.50x
Newchurch 14 13.96x
Padiham 14 47.28x
Prestwich 14 45.78x
Birtle Cum Bamford 13 162.50x
Golcar 11 40.64x
Horwich 11 82.27x
Little Lever 11 70.15x
Pendleton In Salford 11 7.53x
Wigan 11 6.42x
Accrington 10 8.97x
Ardwick 10 9.04x
Burnley 10 9.69x
Elton 10 23.61x
Little Bolton 10 6.34x
Northowram 10 13.93x
Wuerdle Wardle 10 26.87x
Chadderton 9 15.02x
Clayton Le Moors 9 37.85x
Middleton In Oldham 9 24.49x
Oswaldtwistle 9 20.78x
Barnoldswick 8 55.98x
Birkenhead 8 4.40x
Bradford 8 13.94x
Butterworth 8 26.78x
Hulme 8 3.13x
Lockwood 8 21.72x
Manchester 8 1.45x
Walton On Hill 8 12.05x
Whalley 8 44.79x
Atherton 7 15.69x
Blatchinworth 7 25.08x
Huddersfield 7 4.69x
Newton 7 7.41x
North Meols 7 5.83x
Stillingfleet With 7 542.64x
Thorpe Willoughby 7 1129.03x
Wardleworth 7 9.99x
Bonhill 6 13.47x
Droylsden 6 15.00x
Moss Side 6 9.30x
Pemberton 6 12.28x
Rochdale 6 67.11x
Batley 5 5.14x
Featherstone 5 43.48x
Haigh 5 117.10x
Honley 5 27.90x
Linthwaite 5 23.25x
Onchan 5 9.05x
Pilsworth 5 185.87x
Snaith Cowick 5 81.70x
Thornton In Fylde 5 18.64x
Wetheral 5 42.44x
Dukinfield 4 3.80x
Ferry Fryston 4 100.25x
Grindleton 4 181.82x
Hackney London 4 0.69x
Hatfield In Thorne 4 62.60x
Haughton 4 22.37x
Over Darwen 4 4.09x
Walmersley Cum 4 20.42x
Battersea 3 0.79x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 1.54x
Longwood 3 18.18x
Midgley 3 27.50x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 94
Elizabeth 43
Alice 40
Sarah 39
Jane 29
Ann 21
Martha 19
Hannah 15
Ellen 13
Emma 12
Eliza 11
Margaret 11
Annie 9
Betty 9
Agnes 8
Rachel 8
M. 7
Clara 6
Harriet 6
Isabella 6
Betsy 5
Emily 5
Esther 5
Frances 5
Maria 5
Nancy 4
Ada 3
Amelia 3
Bertha 3
Catherine 3
Edith 3
Elizth. 3
Fanny 3
Rebecca 3
Eleanor 2
Florence 2
Grace 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Leah 2
Louisa 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Eborotha 1
Edna 1
Eliza. 1
G. 1
Gertrude 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 64
John 61
James 55
Thomas 44
Robert 26
George 21
Joseph 21
Henry 18
Richard 15
Samuel 13
Edward 11
Fred 8
Alfred 7
Charles 7
Peter 7
Albert 5
Arthur 5
David 5
Frederick 5
Benjamin 4
Daniel 4
Frank 4
Harry 4
Norman 4
Robt. 4
Squire 4
Thos. 4
Andrew 3
Herbert 3
Tom 3
Walter 3
Adam 2
Ben 2
Edmund 2
Edwin 2
Jacob 2
Oliver 2
Reginald 2
Richd. 2
Sam 2
Wm. 2
Allen 1
Ambrose 1
C.H. 1
Charley 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Joe 1
Jonathan 1
Jos. 1

FAQ

Livsey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Livsey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,052 people were recorded with the Livsey surname. That placed it at #3,746 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Livsey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 564 in 2016. That gives Livsey a modern rank of #9,103.

What does the Livsey surname mean?

A locational surname referring to a resident of Livesay in West Yorkshire, England.

What does the Livsey map show?

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