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
Living On Own Means 133
General Labourer 64
Cotton Weaver 61
Farmer 61
Dress Maker 52
Worsted Spinner 43
Scholar 34
General Servant Domestic 33
Woollen Weaver 30
Domestic Servant 26
Butcher 24
Coal Miner Hewer 24
Coal Miner 22
Worsted Weaver 22
Coal Hewer 21
Coal Miner C Hewer 21
Tailor 20
Tailoress 19
Railway Clerk 18
Agricultural Labourer 18
Cabinet Maker 16
Dressmaker 16
Plumber 16
Iron Moulder 16
Plasterer 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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