Lyon Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Lyon Name Meaning: Thought to have derived from the Latin word 'leo' meaning lion. May have also originated from the town in France of the same name.

A surname which is thought to have been made most popular after the Norman Conquest. May have been given to someone who lived in the town of 'Lyons' in France or a nickname for someone 'brave' or that had similar qualities to a lion.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Lyon Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Lyon family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 512
Agricultural Labourer 109
House Servant 45
Labourer 36
Dress Maker 33
Coal Miner 27
Servant 21
General Servant 20
House Keeper 19
Carter 17
Cotton Weaver 15
Silk Weaver 15
Tailor 15
Wife Of Above 14
Laundress 13
Shoe Maker 12
Cook 12
Joiner 11
Blacksmith 10
Domestic Servant 10
Farm Labourer 10
Baker 9
Milliner 9
Butcher 8
Brick Layer 8

Lyon Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Lyon 100% 31,931
2 Lyne 50% 10,366
3 Lion 75% 1,602
4 Layne 40% 1,210
5 Lyan 75% 467
6 Loyn 50% 218
7 Lyone 80% 200
8 Loyne 40% 187
9 Loyan 60% 158
10 Layn 50% 146
11 Lyn 75% 109
12 Layen 60% 102

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

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