NameCensus.

UK surname

Luman

A surname derived from an old variant spelling of the name "Lemon".

In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Luman surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #31,761 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, Horton and Gainsborough, Paddocks. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Luman is 109 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 61.5%.

1881 census count

13

Ranked #31,761

Modern count

5

2016, ranked #38,264

Peak year

1861

109 bearers

Map years

1

1861 to 1861

Key insights

  • Luman had 13 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,761 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016, ranked #38,264.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 109 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Luman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Luman surname density by area, 1861 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Luman 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 33 #27,390
1861 historical 109 #19,693
1881 historical 13 #31,761
1891 historical 73 #27,677
1901 historical 18 #32,032
1911 historical 26 #30,547
1998 modern 1 #38,814
1999 modern 1 #38,820
2000 modern 2 #38,472
2001 modern 2 #38,335
2002 modern 1 #38,709
2003 modern 1 #38,735
2004 modern 1 #38,771
2005 modern 1 #38,814
2006 modern 1 #38,879
2007 modern 2 #38,617
2008 modern 2 #38,673
2009 modern 3 #38,494
2010 modern 2 #38,775
2011 modern 1 #39,015
2012 modern 4 #38,335
2013 modern 3 #38,526
2014 modern 4 #38,376
2015 modern 4 #38,392
2016 modern 5 #38,264

Geography

Back to top

Where Lumans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, Horton, Gainsborough, Paddocks, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall and Manchester. 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.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 Horton Northumberland
3 Gainsborough, Paddocks Lincolnshire
4 Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Luman

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Luman

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Luman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Luman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Luman 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

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Luman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Luman

The surname Luman is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English words "lum" or "loman," which referred to a person associated with a deep pool or a valley. This name could have been used as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a pool or valley, or it may have been an occupational name for someone who worked in or around such geographical features.

Historically, the name Luman can be traced back to the 13th century, with records showing individuals bearing this surname residing in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. One of the earliest documented references to the name is found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which listed a Robert Luman in Lincolnshire.

In the 14th century, the Luman name appeared in several tax and census records, such as the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1332, which recorded a John Luman in Nottinghamshire. This suggests that the name was well-established in these regions during that period.

Interestingly, the surname Luman also has connections to place names in England. For instance, the village of Luman in Lincolnshire may have derived its name from the Old English word "lum," potentially indicating a relationship between the surname and the location.

Among notable historical figures bearing the Luman surname, one can mention John Luman (c. 1535-1605), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Nicholas' Church in Nottingham during the late 16th century. Another figure was William Luman (1616-1688), a prominent landowner and magistrate in Nottinghamshire, who played a role in the local administration during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, a notable Luman was Thomas Luman (1738-1804), an English author and poet who published several works, including "The Pleasures of Nature" and "The Rural Muse." Additionally, Mary Luman (1760-1842) was a well-known painter and illustrator from Lincolnshire, known for her portraits and landscape paintings.

The 19th century saw the rise of Robert Luman (1819-1887), a successful industrialist and entrepreneur from Nottinghamshire, who made significant contributions to the local economy through his textile manufacturing business.

While the Luman surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through immigration and migration patterns. However, its origins and historical connections can be traced back to the medieval period in the English counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Luman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Luman 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. Devon leads with 2 Lumans recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.58x.

County Total Index
Devon 2 7.58x
Durham 2 5.30x
Lancashire 2 1.33x
Staffordshire 2 4.67x
Yorkshire 2 1.59x
Cumberland 1 9.16x
Middlesex 1 0.79x
Nottinghamshire 1 5.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 2 Lumans recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.73x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 2 61.73x
Manchester 2 29.54x
Sculcoates 2 100.50x
Tormoham 2 178.57x
Wolverhampton 2 60.79x
Chelsea London 1 26.18x
Nottingham St Mary 1 22.62x
Waterhead 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Ellen 2
Ada 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Lousia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
William 1

FAQ

Luman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Luman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Luman surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Luman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Luman a modern rank of #38,264.

What does the Luman surname mean?

A surname derived from an old variant spelling of the name "Lemon".

What does the Luman map show?

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