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 865
Agricultural Labourer 116
Coal Miner 81
House Servant 58
Dress Maker 57
House Keeper 38
Labourer 37
Servant 31
Worsted Weaver 31
Woollen Weaver 23
Carter 22
Cotton Weaver 22
Blacksmith 22
Worsted Spinner 22
Joiner 21
Farmers Son 20
Farmer 20
Stone Mason 19
Butcher 18
Farmers Wife 18
Wife 17
Grocer 16
Wife Of Above 16
Worsted Power Loom Weaver 16
Woollen Cloth Weaver 15

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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