NameCensus.

UK surname

Longyear

A locational name referring to someone from a place with a long year or growing season.

In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Longyear surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, down from #29,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Havant, Portsmouth and Fareham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Longyear is 119 in 2008. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 284.6%.

1881 census count

26

Ranked #29,911

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

2008

119 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Longyear had 26 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 61 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Longyear surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Longyear surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Longyear 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 10 #32,589
1881 historical 26 #29,911
1891 historical 36 #31,465
1901 historical 46 #29,047
1911 historical 61 #26,724
1997 modern 108 #25,788
1998 modern 112 #25,856
1999 modern 111 #26,182
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 104 #26,765
2002 modern 105 #27,123
2003 modern 108 #26,486
2004 modern 110 #26,451
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 110 #26,717
2007 modern 114 #26,491
2008 modern 119 #26,067
2009 modern 104 #28,982
2010 modern 108 #28,996
2011 modern 109 #28,653
2012 modern 96 #30,949
2013 modern 102 #30,415
2014 modern 101 #30,855
2015 modern 101 #30,816
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Longyears are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Havant, Portsmouth and Fareham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Havant 011 Havant
2 Portsmouth 002 Portsmouth
3 Portsmouth 009 Portsmouth
4 Fareham 012 Fareham
5 Havant 007 Havant

Forenames

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First names often paired with Longyear

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Longyear

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Longyear surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Longyear household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Longyear is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Longyear is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Longyear 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 Longyear is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Longyear

The surname LONGYEAR originated in England during the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "lang" meaning long and "gær" meaning a year or season, referring to someone who lived or worked for an extended period of time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from the year 1230, where it appears as "Longgere." This suggests that the name was initially associated with the central region of England.

Throughout the Middle Ages, variations of the spelling emerged, such as "Longiere," "Longyer," and "Longyear," reflecting the regional dialects and the evolution of the English language.

The LONGYEAR name appears to have been particularly prevalent in Yorkshire, where it is thought to have referred to individuals who were employed as agricultural workers or tenants on long-term leases.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the LONGYEAR surname was John Longyear (c. 1520 - 1585), a merchant and alderman in the city of Norwich. Records indicate that he was a wealthy and influential citizen, serving as the Mayor of Norwich in 1579.

Another early example is William Longyear (c. 1570 - 1634), a farmer and landowner from the village of Weston Longville in Norfolk. He is mentioned in parish records as a prominent member of the local community.

During the 17th century, the LONGYEAR name gained recognition in the field of literature with John Longyear (1639 - 1678), an English poet and translator who published several works, including translations of French plays.

In the 18th century, a notable LONGYEAR was Robert Longyear (1708 - 1781), a successful merchant and banker from London. He amassed a considerable fortune through his business ventures and became a prominent figure in the city's financial circles.

The 19th century saw the emergence of John Muir Longyear (1850 - 1922), an American entrepreneur and explorer who played a significant role in the development of the mining industry in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He founded the town of Longyear, which was named in his honor.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Longyear families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Longyear 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. Hampshire leads with 20 Longyears recorded in 1881 and an index of 38.48x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 20 38.48x
Sussex 6 14.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 19 Longyears recorded in 1881 and an index of 186.46x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 19 186.46x
Westbourne 6 2857.14x
Portsmouth 1 83.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Louisa 2
Mary 2
Amelia 1
Annie 1
Nelly 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 5
Harry 2
John 2
Frank 1
James 1
Samuel 1
William 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Longyear surname: questions and answers

How common was the Longyear surname in 1881?

In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Longyear surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Longyear surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Longyear a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Longyear surname mean?

A locational name referring to someone from a place with a long year or growing season.

What does the Longyear map show?

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