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
School 895
Private Means 92
Farm Labourer 67
Coal Miner Hewer 66
Farmer 60
General Servant (domestic) 51
Cotton Weaver 45
None 44
Dressmaker 43
Weaver 42
Clerk 39
Labourer 38
General Labourer 35
Housekeeper 30
Worsted Spinner 26
Scholar 25
At School 25
Domestic Servant 23
At Home 23
Joiner 23
House Keeper 22
House Painter 22
Railway Clerk 20
School Boy 20
Cloth Weaver 20

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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