NameCensus.

UK surname

Lynam

Originally a topographic surname derived from a place name meaning "dweller near the pool."

In the 1881 census there were 326 people recorded with the Lynam surname, ranking it #9,167 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 936, ranked #6,119, up from #9,167 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Duffield, Manchester and Ilkeston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derbyshire Dales and Amber Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lynam is 973 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 187.1%.

1881 census count

326

Ranked #9,167

Modern count

936

2016, ranked #6,119

Peak year

1999

973 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lynam had 326 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,167 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 936 in 2016, ranked #6,119.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 598 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Lynam surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lynam surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lynam 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 181 #11,256
1861 historical 222 #10,993
1881 historical 326 #9,167
1891 historical 380 #9,231
1901 historical 495 #8,111
1911 historical 598 #6,857
1997 modern 896 #5,983
1998 modern 951 #5,897
1999 modern 973 #5,825
2000 modern 943 #5,962
2001 modern 915 #6,007
2002 modern 919 #6,107
2003 modern 906 #6,055
2004 modern 894 #6,123
2005 modern 893 #6,063
2006 modern 896 #6,068
2007 modern 900 #6,084
2008 modern 906 #6,105
2009 modern 921 #6,148
2010 modern 950 #6,124
2011 modern 956 #6,047
2012 modern 923 #6,128
2013 modern 956 #6,043
2014 modern 952 #6,114
2015 modern 938 #6,133
2016 modern 936 #6,119

Geography

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Where Lynams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Duffield, Manchester, Ilkeston, Chesterfield and Wingfield, South. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Derbyshire Dales and Amber Valley. 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 Duffield Derbyshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Ilkeston Nottinghamshire
4 Chesterfield Derbyshire
5 Wingfield, South Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Derbyshire Dales 007 Derbyshire Dales
2 Derbyshire Dales 008 Derbyshire Dales
3 Amber Valley 006 Amber Valley
4 Amber Valley 002 Amber Valley
5 Amber Valley 007 Amber Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lynam

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lynam

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lynam, 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 Lynam surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Lynam 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Lynam is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lynam is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lynam 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 Lynam is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Lynam

The surname Lynam is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "lin," meaning a pool or stream, and the suffix "-ham," meaning a homestead or village. Thus, the name likely referred to someone who lived near a pool or stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lynam can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Linham," suggesting its connection to a place name.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, the name Lynam began to appear in various historical records across England, particularly in counties such as Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire. These areas were known for their numerous pools, streams, and other water sources, which may have contributed to the prevalence of the name in those regions.

One notable individual bearing the surname Lynam was John Lynam, who lived in the 15th century and was a prominent landowner in Nottinghamshire. Another was William Lynam, born in 1603, who served as a member of the English Parliament during the reign of King Charles I.

In the 17th century, the name Lynam also appeared in the records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America, indicating that some individuals with this surname had migrated to the New World during this period.

One of the earliest known Lynams in America was Thomas Lynam, who was born in England in 1620 and settled in Massachusetts in the mid-1600s. He became a prominent figure in the colony and served as a selectman and militia captain.

During the 18th century, the Lynam surname continued to spread across various regions of England, as well as in the American colonies. Notable individuals from this period include Robert Lynam, a British military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War, and John Lynam, an Irish-born architect who designed several notable buildings in London in the late 1700s.

As for place names and older spellings, the name Lynam has been associated with various locations in England, such as Linham in Nottinghamshire, Lynham in Oxfordshire, and Lynham in Somerset. These place names likely contributed to the variations in spelling, including Linham, Lynham, and Lyneham.

Throughout history, the surname Lynam has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including landowners, politicians, military officers, architects, and settlers in the New World.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lynam families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lynam 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. Derbyshire leads with 161 Lynams recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.95x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 161 31.95x
Lancashire 55 1.44x
Essex 16 2.52x
Durham 14 1.46x
Nottinghamshire 14 3.23x
Staffordshire 13 1.20x
Middlesex 11 0.34x
Yorkshire 10 0.31x
Angus 7 2.35x
Ayrshire 5 2.08x
Buckinghamshire 5 2.57x
Isle of Man 3 5.02x
Kent 3 0.27x
Northumberland 3 0.63x
Hampshire 2 0.30x
Surrey 2 0.13x
Warwickshire 2 0.25x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.77x
Royal Navy 1 2.61x
Shropshire 1 0.36x
Somerset 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Crich in Derbyshire leads with 21 Lynams recorded in 1881 and an index of 638.30x.

Place Total Index
Crich 21 638.30x
Heage 20 749.06x
Pentrich 16 563.38x
West Ham 15 10.69x
Hasland 14 272.90x
Everton 13 10.68x
Stoke Upon Trent 13 11.28x
Claylane 12 171.18x
Eckington 12 98.04x
Liverpool 12 5.17x
Ripley 10 160.51x
Salford 9 8.01x
Shirland 9 238.73x
Wolsingham 9 103.09x
North Wingfield 8 355.56x
Wingfield South 8 592.59x
Liff Benvie 7 15.46x
Radford 6 27.22x
St Gilesin Fields London 6 220.59x
Staveley 6 67.04x
Ashton In Makerfield 5 45.96x
Dundonald 5 56.31x
Ilkeston 5 35.39x
Olney 5 185.87x
Barnsley 4 12.16x
Derby St Peter 4 24.92x
Nottingham Standard 4 360.36x
Douglas 3 348.84x
Gateshead 3 4.18x
Ilkestonderbypart 3 204.08x
Manchester 3 1.75x
Much Woolton 3 57.92x
Aston 2 0.89x
Bishopwearmouth 2 2.43x
Blackburn 2 1.97x
Brightside Bierlow 2 3.20x
Eccleston In Prescot 2 10.43x
Hazelwood 2 476.19x
Henshaw 2 363.64x
Horton In Bradford 2 4.02x
Lee 2 12.54x
Litchurch 2 9.86x
Nottingham St Mary 2 1.78x
Pendleton In Salford 2 4.39x
St Marylebone London 2 1.16x
Temple Normanton 2 909.09x
Willesden 2 6.59x
Ashover 1 39.84x
Ault Hucknall 1 120.48x
Barlborough 1 53.76x
Bathwick 1 17.45x
Beckenham 1 6.96x
Belper 1 10.24x
Bradford 1 5.59x
Camberwell 1 0.49x
Chesterfield 1 5.29x
Clapham 1 2.49x
Derby St Werburgh 1 3.44x
Dwygyfylchi 1 41.49x
Grays Thurrock 1 16.92x
Holdenhurst 1 5.78x
Kensington London 1 0.56x
Matlock 1 14.77x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 4.03x
Preston 1 0.98x
Royal Navy 1 3.05x
Sculcoates 1 1.98x
Shrewsbury St Chad 1 10.25x
Skegby 1 37.59x
Southwick 1 136.99x
Standard Hill 1 97.09x
Toxteth Park 1 0.77x
Warley 1 10.85x
Whiston 1 33.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Elizabeth 13
Annie 8
Ellen 8
Ann 7
Hannah 6
Sarah 6
Eliza 5
Margaret 5
Catherine 4
Charlotte 4
Harriett 4
Lucy 4
Martha 4
Alice 3
Anne 3
Elizth. 3
Emma 3
Bridget 2
Fanny 2
Jane 2
Margt. 2
Rose 2
Ruth 2
Susan 2
Amelia 1
Bedelia 1
Bertha 1
Dinah 1
Eleanor 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Helenia 1
Henriett 1
Innocent 1
Intiry 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Katharine 1
Lizey 1
Mabel 1
Maria 1
Millicent 1
Minnie 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 23
John 22
William 20
Thomas 15
George 12
Joseph 11
Arthur 5
Charles 5
Samuel 5
Henry 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
Michael 2
Richard 2
Char.Haddon 1
Chas. 1
Esau 1
F. 1
Frank 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Luke 1
Mark 1
Milano 1
Nathan 1
Oskar 1
Patrice 1
Patrick 1
Peter 1
Reignald 1
Richd.J. 1
Saml. 1
Simon 1
Willie 1
Wm 1

FAQ

Lynam surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lynam surname in 1881?

In 1881, 326 people were recorded with the Lynam surname. That placed it at #9,167 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lynam surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 936 in 2016. That gives Lynam a modern rank of #6,119.

What does the Lynam surname mean?

Originally a topographic surname derived from a place name meaning "dweller near the pool."

What does the Lynam map show?

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