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 846
Agricultural Labourer 74
Coal Miner 67
Dress Maker 36
Labourer 36
General Labourer 28
Domestic Servant 26
Annuitant 22
Laundress 19
General Servant 18
Farm Labourer 18
Cotton Weaver 14
Painter 13
Tailor 13
Cotton Operative 12
Butcher 11
Farm Servant 11
No Occupation 11
Dock Labourer 10
General Domestic Servant 10
Farm Servant Indoor 10
Charwoman 9
Grocer 9
Joiner 9
Shoe Maker 9

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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