UK surname
A surname derived from a diminutive variation of the personal name Lionel.
In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Lones surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 51, ranked #34,838, down from #24,992 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, Sedgley and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lones is 554 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 16.4%.
1881 census count
61
Ranked #24,992
Modern count
51
2016, ranked #34,838
Peak year
1861
554 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lones surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lones 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 | 45 | #25,168 |
| 1861 | historical | 554 | #4,755 |
| 1881 | historical | 61 | #24,992 |
| 1891 | historical | 481 | #7,664 |
| 1901 | historical | 118 | #20,721 |
| 1911 | historical | 124 | #20,023 |
| 1997 | modern | 49 | #32,776 |
| 1998 | modern | 49 | #33,000 |
| 1999 | modern | 54 | #32,660 |
| 2000 | modern | 53 | #32,805 |
| 2001 | modern | 50 | #32,957 |
| 2002 | modern | 50 | #33,282 |
| 2003 | modern | 44 | #33,875 |
| 2004 | modern | 45 | #33,957 |
| 2005 | modern | 38 | #34,741 |
| 2006 | modern | 43 | #34,647 |
| 2007 | modern | 42 | #34,905 |
| 2008 | modern | 42 | #34,994 |
| 2009 | modern | 46 | #34,918 |
| 2010 | modern | 46 | #35,062 |
| 2011 | modern | 48 | #34,926 |
| 2012 | modern | 42 | #35,269 |
| 2013 | modern | 50 | #34,891 |
| 2014 | modern | 51 | #34,865 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 51 | #34,838 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, Sedgley, Toxteth Park, Lambeth and Liverpool. 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 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lones 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 Lones, 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 Lones surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lones 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, Lones 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 Lones is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lones, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LONES is of English origin, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a topographic name derived from the Old English words "lan" or "lone," meaning a lane or path, and was likely given to someone who lived near a particular lane or pathway.
The earliest recorded instance of the LONES surname can be found in the Rotuli Hundredorum, a census-like record compiled in the late 13th century during the reign of King Edward I. The name appears as "Atte Lone," indicating its connection to a specific location.
In the 14th century, the surname evolved into various spellings, including "Lones," "Loones," and "Lons." These variations can be found in various historical documents, such as parish records and court rolls from counties like Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire.
One notable bearer of the LONES surname was John Lones, a merchant and landowner who lived in the village of Harthill, Yorkshire, in the late 15th century. Records show that he owned substantial property and was involved in local affairs.
Another historical figure was William Lones, born in 1642 in Warwickshire. He was a prominent clergyman and served as the Rector of Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire from 1675 until his death in 1712.
In the 18th century, the LONES surname can be found in various parish registers, particularly in the counties of Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire. One such record is the baptism of Mary Lones in 1724 in the village of Towcester, Northamptonshire.
The surname LONES has also been associated with several place names, such as Lonesdale in Yorkshire and Lones Lane in Staffordshire. These place names likely originated from the same Old English root and may have influenced the development of the surname.
Another notable bearer of the LONES surname was Sir John Lones, a military officer who served in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. He was born in 1780 in Suffolk and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a Lieutenant Colonel before his death in 1842.
While the LONES surname may not be as common as some others, it has a rich history and can be traced back to the medieval period in England, with bearers found in various counties and regions over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lones 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. Staffordshire leads with 46 Lones' recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.09x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 46 | 24.09x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 1.04x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.35x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.59x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.52x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.70x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Harborne in Staffordshire leads with 29 Lones' recorded in 1881 and an index of 473.86x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Harborne | 29 | 473.86x |
| West Bromwich | 10 | 91.49x |
| Barrow In Furness | 7 | 76.67x |
| Sedgley | 6 | 84.63x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 6.36x |
| Aston | 1 | 2.55x |
| Bilston | 1 | 27.03x |
| Canterbury St Paul | 1 | 285.71x |
| Southwick | 1 | 62.89x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lones 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 Lones surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Lones surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 51 in 2016. That gives Lones a modern rank of #34,838.
A surname derived from a diminutive variation of the personal name Lionel.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lones 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.