UK surname
A surname derived from a place name referring to someone from Lowther, a village in Cumbria, England.
In the 1881 census there were 106 people recorded with the Louther surname, ranking it #19,083 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #19,083 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Brampton (including Midgeholme) and Lanercost, St George the Martyr and Nottingham St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Louther is 113 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 97.2%.
1881 census count
106
Ranked #19,083
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
113 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Louther surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Louther surname density by area, 1881 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 | 80 | #19,558 |
| 1861 | historical | 113 | #19,151 |
| 1881 | historical | 106 | #19,083 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 59 | #27,609 |
| 1911 | historical | 59 | #26,914 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 5 | #38,122 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Brampton (including Midgeholme) and Lanercost, St George the Martyr, Nottingham St Mary, Dalton-le-Dale 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 | Brampton (including Midgeholme) and Lanercost | Cumberland |
| 2 | St George the Martyr | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | Dalton-le-Dale | Durham |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Louther 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 Louther, 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 Louther surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Louther 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, Louther 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 Louther is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Louther, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Louther is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "loh" and "hyrde," which translate to "a small hill" and "herdsman," respectively. This suggests that the name may have been initially used to identify individuals who worked as shepherds or herdsmen on the pastoral hills of the English countryside.
The earliest recorded instances of the Louther surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, a historical record of tax records maintained by the English Exchequer during the 12th and 13th centuries. These rolls contain entries for individuals with the surname Louther, indicating their presence in the region at that time.
One notable bearer of the Louther name was Sir John Louther, a prominent English landowner and military officer who lived during the 15th century. Sir John Louther served as a knight of the shire for Cumberland and fought in the Wars of the Roses. He was also granted several manors and estates in Westmorland and Cumberland by King Edward IV.
Another individual of historical significance was Thomas Louther, who was born in 1532 and served as a Member of Parliament for Westmorland in 1558. Thomas Louther was a respected figure in his community and played an active role in local politics and governance.
In the 17th century, the Louther family established themselves as influential landowners in the county of Westmorland. One member of the family, Sir John Louther (1598-1677), was knighted by King Charles I and served as a Member of Parliament for Westmorland during the English Civil War.
The Louther surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, particularly in the northern counties. For example, the village of Lowther in Cumbria is believed to have derived its name from the Louther family, who held significant lands and properties in the area.
While the Louther surname has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been carried by individuals of notable achievement and influence, particularly in the regions of Westmorland and Cumberland. The name's origins and historical connections to the English countryside and pastoral traditions have contributed to its enduring legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Louther 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. Durham leads with 18 Louthers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 18 | 5.69x |
| Yorkshire | 17 | 1.61x |
| Surrey | 15 | 2.90x |
| Cumberland | 13 | 14.20x |
| Northumberland | 12 | 7.59x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.55x |
| Lincolnshire | 7 | 4.12x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 1.11x |
| Channel Islands | 3 | 9.52x |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 1.62x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 1.44x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.28x |
| Pembrokeshire | 2 | 5.92x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.29x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 0.77x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brampton in Cumberland leads with 9 Louthers recorded in 1881 and an index of 720.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Brampton | 9 | 720.00x |
| Seaton Delaval | 8 | 575.54x |
| Grimoldby | 6 | 4615.38x |
| Sculcoates | 6 | 35.93x |
| Thornley | 6 | 526.32x |
| Chertsey | 5 | 149.25x |
| Heworth | 5 | 80.26x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 5.39x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 5 | 23.38x |
| Cramlington | 4 | 191.39x |
| Knaresborough | 4 | 242.42x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 5.22x |
| Preston Quarter | 4 | 156.25x |
| Walsall Foreign | 4 | 21.58x |
| Esh | 3 | 130.43x |
| St Peter Port | 3 | 51.46x |
| Wenvoe | 3 | 2000.00x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 2 | 9.68x |
| Sunderland | 2 | 35.78x |
| Tenby St Mary In | 2 | 116.28x |
| Westbury On Trym | 2 | 28.33x |
| Withington | 2 | 49.26x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 3.68x |
| Bitton Oldland | 1 | 46.95x |
| Burgh Castle | 1 | 526.32x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 4.22x |
| Govan | 1 | 1.18x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 3.95x |
| Huddersfield | 1 | 6.51x |
| Islington London | 1 | 0.97x |
| Skelton In Guisbrough | 1 | 35.09x |
| Sowerby In Thirsk | 1 | 158.73x |
| Spennithorne | 1 | 1428.57x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 5.34x |
| St Giles In Fields London | 1 | 19.16x |
| St Swithin Lincoln | 1 | 37.45x |
| Ulverston | 1 | 27.25x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Louther 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 Louther surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 106 people were recorded with the Louther surname. That placed it at #19,083 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Louther a modern rank of #38,594.
A surname derived from a place name referring to someone from Lowther, a village in Cumbria, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Louther 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.