Lister Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Lister Name Meaning: Occupational for a 'textile dyer',from middle english 'litster'meaning 'to dye'.

The name is of medieval origin dating back to the 13th century.The earliest recording is that of 'Ralph Litster',dated 1286.

Discover how your Lister ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Lister Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Lister family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 631
Agricultural Labourer 149
House Servant 86
Coal Miner 78
Dress Maker 57
At Home 56
Wool Comber 52
House Keeper 43
Labourer 43
Farm Labourer 36
Servant 36
Annuitant 31
Power Loom Weaver 31
Butcher 24
Carpenter 23
Pauper 20
Scholar At Home 20
Tailor 19
Stone Mason 19
Blacksmith 18
Cloth Weaver 17
Farm Servant 15
Carpet Weaver 15
Shoe Maker 14
Ag Lab 14

Lister Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Lister 100% 54,853
2 Lester 83% 34,712
3 Laister 86% 1,708
4 Lyster 83% 1,202
5 Leister 86% 940
6 Laster 83% 903
7 Loster 83% 493
8 Luster 83% 259
9 Alister 86% 247
10 Elster 67% 158
11 Leaster 71% 145
12 Lestor 67% 101

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The surname Lister is the most popular version of all its varients

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