NameCensus.

UK surname

Lord

A hereditary title of nobility, potentially derived from the Old English word "hlaford" meaning "keeper of bread."

In the 1881 census there were 13,780 people recorded with the Lord surname, ranking it #294 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12,050, ranked #544, down from #294 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth) and Whalley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rossendale and Burnley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lord is 16,576 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.6%.

1881 census count

13,780

Ranked #294

Modern count

12,050

2016, ranked #544

Peak year

1911

16,576 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lord had 13,780 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #294 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 12,050 in 2016, ranked #544.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16,576 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Lord surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lord surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lord 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 9,194 #286
1861 historical 9,247 #292
1881 historical 13,780 #294
1891 historical 13,981 #303
1901 historical 15,625 #329
1911 historical 16,576 #290
1997 modern 12,423 #493
1998 modern 12,778 #502
1999 modern 12,850 #502
2000 modern 12,744 #501
2001 modern 12,482 #498
2002 modern 12,627 #506
2003 modern 12,297 #506
2004 modern 12,177 #514
2005 modern 11,850 #524
2006 modern 11,782 #530
2007 modern 11,785 #531
2008 modern 11,795 #534
2009 modern 12,069 #535
2010 modern 12,325 #538
2011 modern 12,067 #538
2012 modern 11,839 #542
2013 modern 12,167 #538
2014 modern 12,302 #538
2015 modern 12,133 #541
2016 modern 12,050 #544

Geography

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Where Lords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth), Whalley and Halifax. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rossendale and Burnley. 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 (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth) Lancashire
3 Whalley Lancashire
4 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rossendale 010 Rossendale
2 Rossendale 003 Rossendale
3 Rossendale 004 Rossendale
4 Burnley 004 Burnley
5 Rossendale 009 Rossendale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lord

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lord

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lord, 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 Lord surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Lord 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Lord 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

Lord is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lord falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Lord

The surname Lord originated in England during the medieval period, deriving from the Old English word "hlaford," which meant "master" or "ruler." This term was used to refer to those in positions of authority, such as feudal lords or landowners.

In the early days of surname adoption, Lord was often used as a descriptive name for individuals who held a position of power or owned significant property. It was not necessarily a hereditary title but rather a reflection of the person's status or occupation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Lord can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and estates commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. Several individuals with the surname Lord are mentioned in this historical document, indicating the name's presence in various parts of England.

During the medieval period, the spelling of the name varied, with variations such as Lorde, Loord, and Lourde being common. These variations were likely influenced by local dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

One notable figure bearing the surname Lord was Sir Thomas Lord (1558-1624), a successful merchant and landowner in England. He is best known for founding the famous Lord's Cricket Ground in London, which has become a iconic venue for cricket matches.

Another prominent individual with the surname Lord was Benjamin Lord (1693-1784), an American printer and publisher who played a significant role in the early days of the American Revolution. He published several influential pamphlets and newspapers that supported the patriot cause.

In the literary world, Gabrielle Lord (born 1946) is a renowned Australian author known for her crime fiction and children's books. Her works have gained critical acclaim and have been translated into numerous languages.

Thomas Lord (1755-1832), an English cricketer and businessman, was instrumental in establishing the modern form of the sport. He founded the Lord's Cricket Ground in London, which became a renowned venue for cricket matches and continues to host major international events.

Lastly, Walter Lord (1917-2002) was an American author and historian best known for his non-fiction works related to World War II, including "A Night to Remember," a bestselling account of the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Lord, reflecting its long-standing presence and the diverse backgrounds of those who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lord families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lord 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 8,273 Lords recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.18x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 8,273 5.18x
Yorkshire 1,513 1.13x
Middlesex 488 0.36x
Leicestershire 422 2.83x
Surrey 227 0.35x
Cheshire 195 0.66x
Essex 193 0.73x
Suffolk 173 1.05x
Lincolnshire 164 0.76x
Kent 157 0.34x
Warwickshire 153 0.45x
Norfolk 147 0.71x
Devon 133 0.47x
Staffordshire 123 0.27x
Gloucestershire 121 0.46x
Northamptonshire 121 0.96x
Durham 120 0.30x
Nottinghamshire 91 0.50x
Oxfordshire 84 1.01x
Cornwall 77 0.50x
Derbyshire 75 0.36x
Northumberland 63 0.31x
Berkshire 58 0.57x
Somerset 51 0.24x
Sussex 51 0.22x
Bedfordshire 44 0.63x
Worcestershire 44 0.25x
Buckinghamshire 43 0.53x
Cumberland 43 0.37x
Cambridgeshire 37 0.43x
Hampshire 37 0.13x
Glamorgan 32 0.14x
Isle of Man 31 1.24x
Lanarkshire 23 0.05x
Monmouthshire 18 0.18x
Wiltshire 18 0.15x
Renfrewshire 17 0.16x
Angus 14 0.11x
Aberdeenshire 13 0.10x
Dorset 12 0.14x
Hertfordshire 11 0.12x
Huntingdonshire 11 0.41x
Denbighshire 10 0.20x
Herefordshire 10 0.18x
Royal Navy 9 0.56x
Montgomeryshire 8 0.26x
Westmorland 7 0.24x
Brecknockshire 6 0.22x
Flintshire 6 0.17x
Kincardineshire 6 0.37x
Midlothian 5 0.03x
Channel Islands 4 0.10x
Pembrokeshire 4 0.09x
Perthshire 3 0.05x
Argyllshire 2 0.05x
Radnorshire 2 0.18x
Ayrshire 1 0.01x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.03x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.03x
Rutland 1 0.10x
Shropshire 1 0.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Spotland in Lancashire leads with 1,030 Lords recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.96x.

Place Total Index
Spotland 1,030 57.96x
Newchurch 836 63.94x
Castleton 527 33.02x
Wardleworth 362 39.63x
Radcliffe 296 38.42x
Oldham 290 5.62x
Wuerdle Wardle 257 52.97x
Bury 251 13.75x
Todmorden Walsden 161 37.60x
Habergham Eaves 155 10.61x
Burnley 154 11.44x
Accrington 137 9.43x
Blatchinworth 136 37.37x
Heap 130 15.34x
Blackburn 121 2.85x
Higher Booths 120 41.65x
Manchester 111 1.54x
Farnworth 108 11.28x
Rochdale 101 86.65x
Langfield 96 41.11x
Leicester St Margaret 96 2.64x
Pilkington 94 15.48x
Butterworth 91 23.37x
Elton 85 15.39x
Haslingden 85 12.84x
Ashton Under Lyne 84 2.40x
Halifax 82 4.18x
Lower Booths 82 28.63x
Elland Cum Greetland 81 13.47x
Kearsley 81 24.08x
Huddersfield 80 4.11x
Salford 80 1.70x
Tottington Lower End 78 10.27x
St Marylebone London 74 1.03x
Chadderton 73 9.34x
Tonge 72 21.47x
Great Bolton 69 3.26x
Stansfield 69 14.05x
Horton In Bradford 64 3.07x
Leeds 63 0.84x
Chorlton On Medlock 62 2.44x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 60 35.13x
Royton 55 11.25x
Clayton Le Moors 52 16.77x
Crompton 52 11.42x
Great Harwood 51 17.65x
Islington London 47 0.36x
Little Lever 47 23.00x
Colne 45 9.45x
Hinckley 45 12.70x
Hulme 44 1.32x
Gorton 43 2.86x
Newton 43 3.49x
Wadsworth 42 19.33x
Lambeth 41 0.35x
Pendleton In Salford 41 2.15x
Leicester St Mary 40 3.32x
Nottingham St Mary 40 0.85x
Saddleworth 40 3.89x
Great Little Marsden 39 5.33x
Padiham 39 10.10x
Walmersley Cum 39 15.27x
Ardwick 38 2.64x
Dukinfield 38 2.77x
Hopwood 37 17.71x
West Bromwich 37 1.42x
Settle 36 35.24x
Barrow In Furness 35 1.61x
Coventry St Michael 35 3.21x
Kensington London 35 0.47x
Little Bolton 35 1.70x
Slimbridge 35 88.99x
Liverpool 34 0.35x
St Pancras London 34 0.31x
Bradford 32 0.99x
Countesthorpe 32 62.81x
Coventry Holy Trinity 32 3.16x
Camberwell 31 0.36x
Aston 30 0.32x
Oswaldtwistle 30 5.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1,129
Sarah 675
Elizabeth 570
Alice 379
Ann 282
Jane 274
Martha 223
Hannah 217
Emma 194
Ellen 189
Margaret 170
Annie 162
Eliza 142
Emily 114
Betty 97
Clara 77
Betsy 73
Edith 65
Maria 60
Harriet 57
Florence 56
Fanny 54
Ada 51
Louisa 50
Lucy 46
Charlotte 45
Isabella 45
Catherine 43
Esther 43
Agnes 39
Susannah 39
Caroline 38
Susan 37
Nancy 36
Rachel 34
Grace 33
Kate 32
Rebecca 30
Ruth 30
Anne 29
Elizth. 29
Frances 29
Bertha 28
Amelia 26
Selina 24
Amy 23
Eleanor 23
Harriett 22
Lizzie 21
Ethel 20

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 971
James 788
William 657
Thomas 397
George 289
Samuel 275
Joseph 221
Robert 217
Henry 201
Charles 159
Richard 155
Edward 113
Alfred 111
Edmund 104
Arthur 88
Walter 77
Herbert 66
David 63
Harry 63
Albert 61
Frederick 61
Edwin 55
Abraham 52
Ernest 52
Wm. 49
Fred 47
Frank 45
Benjamin 34
Simeon 34
Thos. 28
Joshua 25
Peter 24
Daniel 23
Jonathan 22
Lawrence 21
Isaac 19
Willie 19
Francis 18
Sam 17
Tom 17
Squire 14
Stephen 14
Percy 13
Robt. 13
Harold 12
Jacob 12
Alexander 11
Chas. 11
Jas. 11
Wilfred 10

FAQ

Lord surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lord surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13,780 people were recorded with the Lord surname. That placed it at #294 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lord surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 12,050 in 2016. That gives Lord a modern rank of #544.

What does the Lord surname mean?

A hereditary title of nobility, potentially derived from the Old English word "hlaford" meaning "keeper of bread."

What does the Lord map show?

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