NameCensus.

UK surname

Lyne

An English habitational surname derived from the place named Lyne in Sussex.

In the 1881 census there were 1,301 people recorded with the Lyne surname, ranking it #3,147 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,545, ranked #4,006, down from #3,147 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Shipston-on-Stour, London parishes and Glossop. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lyne is 1,706 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.8%.

1881 census count

1,301

Ranked #3,147

Modern count

1,545

2016, ranked #4,006

Peak year

1999

1,706 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lyne had 1,301 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,147 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,545 in 2016, ranked #4,006.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,688 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Lyne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lyne surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Lyne 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 1,062 #2,636
1861 historical 1,053 #2,662
1881 historical 1,301 #3,147
1891 historical 1,479 #2,979
1901 historical 1,643 #3,138
1911 historical 1,688 #2,905
1997 modern 1,598 #3,705
1998 modern 1,686 #3,658
1999 modern 1,706 #3,647
2000 modern 1,671 #3,693
2001 modern 1,613 #3,745
2002 modern 1,649 #3,735
2003 modern 1,569 #3,841
2004 modern 1,617 #3,737
2005 modern 1,575 #3,783
2006 modern 1,581 #3,767
2007 modern 1,602 #3,767
2008 modern 1,583 #3,826
2009 modern 1,632 #3,819
2010 modern 1,649 #3,856
2011 modern 1,621 #3,871
2012 modern 1,569 #3,919
2013 modern 1,599 #3,918
2014 modern 1,604 #3,931
2015 modern 1,581 #3,939
2016 modern 1,545 #4,006

Geography

Back to top

Where Lynes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Shipston-on-Stour, London parishes, Glossop and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Rotherham. 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 Shipston-on-Stour Warwickshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Glossop Derbyshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 073 Cornwall
2 Rotherham 020 Rotherham
3 Rotherham 027 Rotherham
4 Cornwall 009 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 011 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Lyne

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Lyne

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Lyne is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Lyne 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

Lyne falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Lyne

The surname Lyne has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "lin," which means a pool, lake, or stream. It is believed to have originally referred to someone who lived near a body of water or in an area where flax was grown.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which lists a Nicholas de la Lyne in Oxfordshire. The Domesday Book of 1086 also mentions several places with names that could be linked to the surname, such as Lyne in Herefordshire and Linley in Shropshire.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, including Lyne, Lyn, Lynne, and Ligne. One notable bearer of the name from this period was John de Lyne, a member of the English Parliament in 1348.

The Lyne surname has also been associated with several place names, such as Lyne in Perthshire, Scotland, and Lyne in Staffordshire, England. These place names likely influenced the surname's spelling and distribution.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname Lyne. One such figure was Sir Humphrey Lyne (c. 1490-1545), a member of the English gentry and a supporter of the Protestant Reformation. Another prominent bearer of the name was Reverend Nathaniel Lyne (1628-1673), an English clergyman and author.

In the 18th century, John Lyne (1737-1773) was a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Guildhall in Bath. William Lyne (1767-1847) was a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament.

Moving into the 19th century, Charles Lyne (1799-1861) was an English artist and engraver known for his landscape paintings and etchings. Thomas Lyne (1850-1919) was a British trade unionist and Labour politician who played a significant role in the establishment of the Labour Party.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have carried the surname Lyne throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Lyne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lyne 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. Middlesex leads with 186 Lynes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.45x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 186 1.45x
Cornwall 135 9.32x
Devon 108 4.05x
Lancashire 75 0.49x
Hampshire 72 2.74x
Cheshire 67 2.37x
Surrey 67 1.07x
Derbyshire 60 2.99x
Warwickshire 60 1.86x
Gloucestershire 50 1.99x
Lincolnshire 45 2.20x
Worcestershire 40 2.39x
Wiltshire 34 3.00x
Berkshire 33 3.44x
Yorkshire 29 0.23x
Kent 26 0.60x
Leicestershire 23 1.62x
Sussex 22 1.02x
Oxfordshire 20 2.53x
Northamptonshire 18 1.50x
Somerset 18 0.87x
Staffordshire 16 0.37x
Essex 14 0.55x
Nottinghamshire 13 0.75x
Durham 10 0.26x
Herefordshire 9 1.72x
Royal Navy 9 5.90x
Monmouthshire 8 0.86x
Channel Islands 7 1.85x
Dorset 6 0.71x
Bedfordshire 5 0.75x
Hertfordshire 5 0.57x
Norfolk 5 0.25x
Suffolk 4 0.26x
Angus 3 0.25x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.26x
Lanarkshire 2 0.05x
Ayrshire 1 0.10x
Brecknockshire 1 0.39x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.19x
Denbighshire 1 0.21x
Rutland 1 1.06x
Shropshire 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. Glossop Dale in Derbyshire leads with 33 Lynes recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.17x.

Place Total Index
Glossop Dale 33 35.17x
Islington London 31 2.50x
Kensington London 25 3.51x
Edmonton 23 22.30x
Shipston On Stour 21 275.95x
Dolton 19 577.51x
Lambeth 18 1.61x
Liskeard 17 70.13x
Stockport 17 11.69x
Maker 16 119.58x
Hollingworth 15 128.76x
Little Bolton 15 7.68x
Portsea 15 2.92x
Brighton 13 2.99x
Oldham 13 2.65x
Ringwood 13 77.47x
Cheltenham 12 6.20x
Mawgan In Meneage 12 318.30x
St Pancras London 12 1.16x
Enfield 11 13.10x
Ollersett 11 281.33x
Reading St Giles 11 11.67x
St Marylebone London 11 1.61x
Tredington 11 240.70x
Aston 10 1.13x
Belgrave 10 31.23x
Birmingham 10 0.93x
Grantham 10 37.50x
Holy Trinity 10 178.89x
Ibsley 10 943.40x
Malden 10 613.50x
Menheniot 10 166.39x
Salford 10 602.41x
Tintwistle 10 66.23x
Urchfont 10 215.98x
Beaford 9 348.84x
Beighton 9 99.12x
Cradley 9 117.19x
Dukinfield 9 6.89x
Hammersmith London 9 2.85x
Leyton 9 20.68x
Michelmersh 9 176.82x
Moorsley 9 220.05x
Royal Navy 9 6.90x
Shoreditch London 9 1.62x
Southampton St Mary 9 5.46x
Stoke Damerel 9 4.83x
Wimbledon 9 12.85x
Antony 8 57.18x
Ashton Under Lyne 8 2.41x
Chelsea London 8 2.07x
Glanford Brigg 8 109.59x
Ilmington 8 229.89x
Manchester 8 1.17x
St Mary Magdalene 8 75.12x
Battersea 7 1.49x
Camborne 7 11.73x
Corsham 7 42.37x
Dawlish 7 35.23x
Hayfield 7 56.96x
Higham Ferrers 7 107.03x
Horbling 7 319.63x
Leicester St Margaret 7 2.02x
Mottram 7 54.69x
Newington 7 1.48x
St Stephens By Saltash 7 112.18x
St Woollos 7 6.78x
Stratford On Avon 7 39.11x
Weston Super Mare 7 13.46x
Alverstoke 6 6.32x
Exeter St Sidwell 6 9.83x
Kingston Deverill 6 495.87x
Landewednack 6 233.46x
Newark Upon Trent 6 9.68x
Pebworth 6 198.02x
St Helier 6 4.86x
Stoke Climsland 6 64.86x
Woolwich 6 3.72x
Clifton 5 3.94x
Exeter St Olave 5 145.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 80
John 68
Thomas 33
George 32
Edward 28
Samuel 27
Alfred 26
Charles 24
James 24
Henry 20
Robert 18
Joseph 16
Richard 15
Frederick 13
Albert 12
Arthur 11
Walter 8
Harry 7
Ernest 6
Herbert 5
David 4
Francis 4
Leonard 4
Peter 4
Philip 4
Sydney 4
Tom 4
Dan 3
Daniel 3
Edwin 3
Mark 3
Sidney 3
Wilfred 3
Wm. 3
Earnest 2
Edgar 2
Edmund 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Fredrick 2
Geo. 2
Hannibal 2
Horace 2
Lewis 2
Percy 2
Thos. 2
Clvering 1
Elias 1
Florence 1
Wm.O. 1

FAQ

Lyne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lyne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,301 people were recorded with the Lyne surname. That placed it at #3,147 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lyne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,545 in 2016. That gives Lyne a modern rank of #4,006.

What does the Lyne surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from the place named Lyne in Sussex.

What does the Lyne map show?

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