UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name with the same pronunciation as the word "lion".
In the 1881 census there were 70 people recorded with the Lyson surname, ranking it #23,670 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 59, ranked #34,401, down from #23,670 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Manchester and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lyson is 329 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 15.7%.
1881 census count
70
Ranked #23,670
Modern count
59
2016, ranked #34,401
Peak year
1861
329 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lyson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lyson surname density by area, 1911 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 | 92 | #18,050 |
| 1861 | historical | 329 | #7,748 |
| 1881 | historical | 70 | #23,670 |
| 1891 | historical | 214 | #14,214 |
| 1901 | historical | 108 | #21,836 |
| 1911 | historical | 205 | #14,733 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 27 | #35,148 |
| 1999 | modern | 24 | #35,514 |
| 2000 | modern | 23 | #35,588 |
| 2001 | modern | 18 | #35,961 |
| 2002 | modern | 17 | #36,164 |
| 2003 | modern | 22 | #35,740 |
| 2004 | modern | 24 | #35,697 |
| 2005 | modern | 27 | #35,588 |
| 2006 | modern | 32 | #35,392 |
| 2007 | modern | 35 | #35,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 42 | #34,994 |
| 2009 | modern | 50 | #34,663 |
| 2010 | modern | 51 | #34,773 |
| 2011 | modern | 54 | #34,563 |
| 2012 | modern | 52 | #34,709 |
| 2013 | modern | 56 | #34,581 |
| 2014 | modern | 60 | #34,400 |
| 2015 | modern | 62 | #34,233 |
| 2016 | modern | 59 | #34,401 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Manchester, Liverpool, Dalton-in-Furness and Cossal. 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 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 4 | Dalton-in-Furness | Lancashire |
| 5 | Cossal | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lyson 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 Lyson, 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 Lyson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lyson 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, Lyson 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 Lyson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lyson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LYSON is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "lys" meaning "pasture" or "meadow" and "tun" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived in or near a meadow or pastoral area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name LYSON can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties across England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book entries indicate that individuals with variations of the LYSON surname were landowners or tenants in various counties, including Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire.
During the Middle Ages, the LYSON surname was most prevalent in the southern and western regions of England, particularly in counties such as Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall. Historical records from these areas often show variations in the spelling, including Liston, Liseton, and Lysston.
One notable individual with the LYSON surname was Sir Thomas Lyson (1538-1602), a prominent English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Recorder of London. Another figure of historical significance was Reverend Daniel Lysons (1762-1834), an English topographer and antiquary who authored several influential works on British antiquities and local histories.
In the 17th century, the LYSON surname was also found in Essex, as evidenced by the birth of Samuel Lysons (1655-1718), a renowned English physician and writer who published several medical treatises. His son, Samuel Lysons (1690-1768), continued the family's legacy in the medical field and served as a physician to the Royal Household.
Another notable bearer of the LYSON surname was Sir Daniel Lysons (1727-1800), an English clergyman and antiquary who was appointed as the Rector of Rodmarton in Gloucestershire. He was a respected figure in the field of antiquities and contributed significantly to the study of British history and architecture.
Throughout the centuries, the LYSON surname has been associated with various professions, including law, medicine, clergy, and academia, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who carried this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lyson 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. Lancashire leads with 19 Lysons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.35x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 19 | 2.35x |
| Nottinghamshire | 13 | 14.13x |
| Gloucestershire | 9 | 6.72x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 1.18x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 1.03x |
| Lincolnshire | 6 | 5.50x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.98x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.87x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 3.48x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.43x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.45x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.30x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Greasley in Nottinghamshire leads with 12 Lysons recorded in 1881 and an index of 576.92x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Greasley | 12 | 576.92x |
| Westbury On Severn East | 9 | 297.03x |
| Liverpool | 8 | 16.26x |
| Headingley Cum Burley | 6 | 137.93x |
| Toynton All Sts | 6 | 7500.00x |
| Kensington London | 5 | 13.17x |
| Manchester | 4 | 10.98x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 11.47x |
| Darlaston | 2 | 62.89x |
| Everton | 2 | 7.75x |
| Ormskirk | 2 | 129.03x |
| Toxteth Park | 2 | 7.29x |
| Barony | 1 | 1.79x |
| Dalton In Furness | 1 | 31.95x |
| East Peckham | 1 | 208.33x |
| Eglwys Cymmin | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Eston | 1 | 68.03x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.68x |
| Preston | 1 | 270.27x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 25.51x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.82x |
| Wollaton | 1 | 588.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lyson 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 Lyson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 70 people were recorded with the Lyson surname. That placed it at #23,670 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 59 in 2016. That gives Lyson a modern rank of #34,401.
A locational surname derived from a place name with the same pronunciation as the word "lion".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lyson 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.