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 1,128
Agricultural Labourer 93
Dress Maker 71
Coal Miner 64
Domestic Servant 61
Labourer 60
Worsted Weaver 59
House Keeper 45
Cotton Weaver 42
Annuitant 38
Woollen Weaver 34
Stone Mason 33
General Servant 32
Joiner 27
Worsted Spinner 27
Butcher 25
Farm Servant 25
Grocer 24
Farm Labourer 23
Blacksmith 21
Servant 20
Weaver 19
Cloth Weaver 19
Wife Of Above 17
Farmer's Son 16

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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