NameCensus.

UK surname

Luscombe

A locational surname originating from a place in Devon, England.

In the 1881 census there were 1,505 people recorded with the Luscombe surname, ranking it #2,787 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,486, ranked #4,153, down from #2,787 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Modbury, Bigbury, Ermington, Kingston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams and Plymouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Luscombe is 1,816 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.3%.

1881 census count

1,505

Ranked #2,787

Modern count

1,486

2016, ranked #4,153

Peak year

1911

1,816 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Luscombe had 1,505 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,787 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,486 in 2016, ranked #4,153.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,816 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Luscombe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Luscombe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Luscombe 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 1,094 #2,570
1861 historical 1,065 #2,639
1881 historical 1,505 #2,787
1891 historical 1,578 #2,810
1901 historical 1,715 #3,011
1911 historical 1,816 #2,709
1997 modern 1,440 #4,052
1998 modern 1,483 #4,096
1999 modern 1,514 #4,045
2000 modern 1,497 #4,071
2001 modern 1,470 #4,059
2002 modern 1,484 #4,110
2003 modern 1,434 #4,142
2004 modern 1,445 #4,122
2005 modern 1,394 #4,203
2006 modern 1,394 #4,209
2007 modern 1,408 #4,213
2008 modern 1,404 #4,253
2009 modern 1,443 #4,236
2010 modern 1,439 #4,315
2011 modern 1,439 #4,279
2012 modern 1,456 #4,179
2013 modern 1,499 #4,163
2014 modern 1,518 #4,137
2015 modern 1,494 #4,154
2016 modern 1,486 #4,153

Geography

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Where Luscombes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes, Modbury, Bigbury, Ermington, Kingston and Plymouth St Charles the Martyr. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams and Plymouth. 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 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 London parishes London 3
3 Modbury, Bigbury, Ermington, Kingston Devon
4 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 011 South Hams
2 South Hams 006 South Hams
3 South Hams 010 South Hams
4 Plymouth 004 Plymouth
5 South Hams 002 South Hams

Forenames

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First names often paired with Luscombe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Luscombe

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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, Luscombe 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

Luscombe 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

Luscombe falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Luscombe

The surname Luscombe is of English origin, derived from a place name in the county of Devon. It is composed of the Old English elements "lusc" meaning a small wood or grove, and "cumb" meaning a valley or hollow.

The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Luscumba". This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region by the time of the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, records show variants such as "Luscombe" and "Luscoumb", reflecting the gradual evolution of the spelling over time. The name was particularly concentrated in the parishes of Braunton and Georgeham, where the Luscombe family held lands and properties.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir Walter Luscombe (c. 1360-1425), a member of the Devon gentry who served as Sheriff of Devon in 1400. He was involved in suppressing the Cornish uprising against King Henry IV in 1408.

Another prominent figure was Richard Luscombe (1576-1638), a wealthy merchant and landowner who served as Mayor of Exeter in 1630. He was instrumental in the city's defense during the English Civil War.

In the 17th century, the Luscombes of Brixham in Devon produced several notable individuals, including John Luscombe (1628-1698), a wealthy shipowner and merchant adventurer, and his son, also named John Luscombe (1662-1736), who served as a Member of Parliament for Dartmouth.

The name also found its way to North America, with early settlers such as Edward Luscombe (c. 1620-1685), who emigrated from Devon to Massachusetts in the 1630s and became a prominent figure in the colony.

Another notable bearer was John Luscombe (1681-1767), a Church of England clergyman who served as the first Bishop of Fort William in Bengal, India, from 1746 until his death.

While the name has spread globally over the centuries, its roots remain firmly planted in the valleys and hollows of Devon, where the Luscombe family has left an indelible mark on the region's history and heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Luscombe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Luscombe 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 1,098 Luscombes recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.30x.

County Total Index
Devon 1,098 35.30x
Middlesex 116 0.78x
Surrey 47 0.65x
Cornwall 40 2.36x
Kent 34 0.67x
Channel Islands 30 6.77x
Yorkshire 30 0.20x
Gloucestershire 28 0.96x
Somerset 15 0.62x
Sussex 12 0.48x
Dorset 10 1.02x
Essex 9 0.31x
Hampshire 9 0.29x
Buckinghamshire 8 0.89x
Glamorgan 8 0.31x
Lanarkshire 6 0.12x
Royal Navy 5 2.81x
Warwickshire 5 0.13x
Hertfordshire 4 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.20x
Oxfordshire 3 0.33x
Derbyshire 2 0.09x
Lancashire 2 0.01x
Staffordshire 2 0.04x
Angus 1 0.07x
Berkshire 1 0.09x
Cumberland 1 0.08x
Leicestershire 1 0.06x
Renfrewshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 100 Luscombes recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.73x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 100 41.73x
Kingsbridge 54 690.54x
Tormoham 50 37.99x
Plymouth Charles The 47 34.30x
Plympton St Mary 36 200.22x
Stoke Damerel 36 16.54x
West Alvington 27 617.85x
Ugborough 26 345.74x
Aveton Gifford 24 533.33x
Cornwood 24 404.04x
Islington London 24 1.66x
St Martin 24 88.46x
Wolborough 22 55.95x
Braunton 21 199.05x
Dodbrooke 20 324.15x
Ermington 20 176.68x
Kingsteignton 20 231.21x
Modbury 20 251.89x
Ashburton 19 127.77x
Bowling 19 12.95x
Exeter St Sidwell 19 26.67x
Kensington London 18 2.17x
Loddiswell 17 413.63x
Shaugh Prior 17 474.86x
Stokenham 17 194.06x
East Allington 16 597.01x
East Stonehouse 16 26.11x
Plympton Maurice 15 255.10x
Rattery 15 738.92x
Dawlish 14 60.34x
Lambeth 14 1.07x
Maker 14 89.57x
Bickleigh 13 426.23x
Lewisham 13 4.78x
South Brent 13 194.61x
Battersea 12 2.18x
St Pancras London 12 1.00x
Brixham 11 30.52x
Churchstow 11 585.11x
Exeter St David 11 41.38x
Ipplepen 11 259.43x
Slapton 11 347.00x
Camberwell 10 1.05x
Chudleigh 10 101.11x
Exeter St Thomas The 10 31.54x
Hammersmith London 10 2.72x
Brighton 9 1.77x
Calstock 9 27.12x
Highweek 9 81.15x
Moreton Hampstead 9 111.94x
Paddington London 9 1.64x
Tamerton Foliott 9 150.25x
Dartington 8 246.91x
Diptford 8 235.29x
East Ogwell 8 583.94x
Harford 8 860.22x
Plymstock 8 49.11x
Buckland Monachorum 7 105.26x
Churston Ferrers 7 214.72x
Egg Buckland 7 131.83x
Farnham Royal 7 130.84x
Kingston On Thames 7 4.00x
Lidford 7 50.11x
South Huish 7 460.53x
South Pool 7 346.53x
Stokefleming 7 179.03x
Tavistock 7 19.75x
Topsham 7 47.68x
Totnes 7 38.46x
Willesden 7 4.97x
Berry Pomeroy 6 116.28x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 2.17x
Milton In Gravesend 6 7.85x
South Milton 6 333.33x
Stoke 6 47.66x
Stoke Gabriel 6 182.93x
Devonport 5 13.99x
Leamington Priors 5 5.39x
Staverton 5 130.89x
Woodland 5 625.00x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 114
William 110
George 55
Thomas 54
Henry 37
Richard 29
James 25
Samuel 25
Alfred 19
Arthur 16
Philip 16
Charles 15
Frederick 15
Robert 15
Edwin 12
Edward 11
Albert 9
Ernest 8
Joseph 8
Harry 7
Herbert 6
Peter 6
Thos. 5
Francis 4
Frank 4
Sidney 4
Walter 4
Edmund 3
Fred 3
Reginald 3
Richd. 3
Tom 3
Benjamin 2
Fredrick 2
Geo. 2
Jno. 2
Moses 2
W. 2
Wm. 2
Alfd. 1
Cecil 1
Daniel 1
Elias 1
Elizabeth 1
Emanuel 1
F.L. 1
Festos 1
Festus 1
Jane 1
Wm.Henry 1

FAQ

Luscombe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Luscombe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,505 people were recorded with the Luscombe surname. That placed it at #2,787 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Luscombe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,486 in 2016. That gives Luscombe a modern rank of #4,153.

What does the Luscombe surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place in Devon, England.

What does the Luscombe map show?

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