NameCensus.

UK surname

Lonie

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Lonán meaning "little blackbird".

In the 1881 census there were 352 people recorded with the Lonie surname, ranking it #8,718 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 514, ranked #9,806, down from #8,718 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to KInghorn, Cupar and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include The Glens, Ardler and St Marys and Lochee.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lonie is 518 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.0%.

1881 census count

352

Ranked #8,718

Modern count

514

2016, ranked #9,806

Peak year

1998

518 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lonie had 352 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,718 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 514 in 2016, ranked #9,806.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 443 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Lonie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lonie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lonie 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 260 #8,512
1861 historical 304 #8,340
1881 historical 352 #8,718
1891 historical 443 #8,164
1901 historical 369 #10,040
1911 historical 38 #29,147
1997 modern 493 #9,399
1998 modern 518 #9,342
1999 modern 511 #9,500
2000 modern 497 #9,675
2001 modern 472 #9,873
2002 modern 490 #9,771
2003 modern 492 #9,598
2004 modern 489 #9,652
2005 modern 486 #9,634
2006 modern 485 #9,691
2007 modern 488 #9,740
2008 modern 493 #9,757
2009 modern 500 #9,862
2010 modern 512 #9,870
2011 modern 495 #10,026
2012 modern 490 #10,027
2013 modern 483 #10,287
2014 modern 492 #10,212
2015 modern 500 #10,009
2016 modern 514 #9,806

Geography

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Where Lonies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around KInghorn, Cupar, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to The Glens, Ardler and St Marys, Lochee, Invergowrie, Longforgan and Abernyte and Kincorth, Leggart and Nigg North. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 KInghorn Fife
2 Cupar Fife
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 The Glens Dundee City
2 Ardler and St Marys Dundee City
3 Lochee Dundee City
4 Invergowrie, Longforgan and Abernyte Perth and Kinross
5 Kincorth, Leggart and Nigg North Aberdeen City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lonie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lonie

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Lonie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Lonie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Lonie is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lonie is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lonie falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Lonie

The surname Lonie has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be a variant of the old Scottish surname Lonnie, which was derived from the Gaelic word "loinn," meaning "brave" or "valiant."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lonie can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, where a "William de Lony" is mentioned. This suggests that the name had already been established in Scotland by the 13th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Lonie surname appeared in various Scottish records, including parish registers and court documents. One notable individual was John Lonie, a merchant who lived in Edinburgh in the early 17th century.

The name Lonie is also associated with the Scottish town of Loanhead, which was historically known as "Lonie's Land" or "Lonie's Village." This connection suggests that the surname may have originated from a place name or a landowner in that area.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure with the surname Lonie was James Lonie (1734-1814), a Scottish minister and author who served as the minister of Birse parish in Aberdeenshire for over 50 years.

Another notable individual was William Lonie (1790-1859), a Scottish architect and civil engineer who was responsible for designing several notable buildings in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.

In the 19th century, the Lonie surname continued to be found in various parts of Scotland, with several individuals making notable contributions to various fields. One such person was Alexander Lonie (1818-1893), a Scottish politician and lawyer who served as the Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1882 to 1885.

While the name Lonie has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through Scottish emigration. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the Scottish heritage and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lonie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lonie 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. Midlothian leads with 90 Lonies recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.73x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 90 19.73x
Fife 74 36.72x
Lanarkshire 56 5.09x
Aberdeenshire 30 9.52x
Angus 18 5.71x
Northumberland 15 2.96x
Stirlingshire 14 11.15x
Durham 12 1.18x
Perthshire 10 6.54x
Yorkshire 8 0.24x
Renfrewshire 6 2.27x
Kinross-shire 3 34.84x
Lancashire 3 0.07x
Shropshire 3 1.02x
Surrey 2 0.12x
Argyllshire 1 1.06x
Ayrshire 1 0.39x
East Lothian 1 2.22x
Kent 1 0.09x
West Lothian 1 1.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 39 Lonies recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.26x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 39 21.26x
Barony 26 9.33x
Govan 24 8.81x
Aberdeen Old Machar 16 24.31x
Dundee 15 12.74x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 14 23.73x
South Leith 13 25.33x
Edinburgh Canongate 12 103.36x
Falkirk 12 40.83x
Burntisland 11 195.38x
Kinghorn 9 210.28x
St Andrews 9 98.15x
Westgate 9 28.69x
Dysart 7 51.58x
Glencorse 7 400.00x
Beath 6 94.19x
Bishopwearmouth 6 6.90x
Bolton In Bradford 6 277.78x
Longbenton 6 27.97x
Abbey 5 12.42x
Edinburgh St Andrews 5 132.63x
Auchterderran 4 78.90x
Cambusnethan 4 16.36x
Ceres 4 165.29x
Errol 4 141.34x
Leslie 4 78.43x
Perth West Church 4 55.17x
Stranton 4 11.73x
Cupar 3 34.25x
Drayton In Hales 3 49.51x
Dunfermline 3 9.68x
Edinburgh Greenside S 3 181.82x
Edinburgh New 3 84.75x
North Leith 3 14.22x
Preston 3 2.78x
Abbotshall 2 26.56x
Carmyllie 2 149.25x
Dalkeith 2 22.22x
Edinburgh St Marys 2 22.55x
Falsgrave 2 40.24x
Kemback 2 200.00x
Kilconquhar 2 83.33x
Newburn 2 500.00x
Portmoak 2 163.93x
St Leonards 2 222.22x
St Ninians 2 16.06x
Trimdon 2 55.87x
Abercorn 1 99.01x
Abernethy 1 50.00x
Auchterarder 1 23.47x
Auchtermuchty 1 36.90x
Ayr 1 8.32x
Edinburgh Old 1 36.10x
Ferry Port On Craig 1 30.12x
Glasgow 1 0.51x
Kennoway 1 54.64x
Kildalton Oa 1 666.67x
Kinross 1 33.90x
Leuchars 1 39.22x
Liff Benvie 1 2.09x
Minster In Sheppey 1 5.20x
Morham 1 416.67x
Newington 1 0.80x
Paisley Middle Church 1 6.51x
Shotts 1 7.59x
Woking 1 10.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 5
Jane 4
Mary 4
Margaret 3
Catarine 1
Constance 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Isabella 1
Leah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 5
David 4
James 3
Lewis 2
Thomas 2
Abel 1
Benjamin 1
Louis 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Lonie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lonie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 352 people were recorded with the Lonie surname. That placed it at #8,718 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lonie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 514 in 2016. That gives Lonie a modern rank of #9,806.

What does the Lonie surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Lonán meaning "little blackbird".

What does the Lonie map show?

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