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 724
Coal Miner 79
Living On Own Means 49
General Labourer 41
Agricultural Labourer 39
Dress Maker 37
Domestic Servant 31
Living On Her Own Means 29
Labourer 29
House Keeper 28
General Servant Domestic 26
Cotton Weaver 24
General Servant 22
Tailor 21
Laundress 20
Farmer 19
Farm Labourer 19
Grocer 18
Gardener 17
Blacksmith 16
Cook Domestic Servant 12
Painter 12
Farm Servant 11
Dressmaker 11
General Domestic Servant 10

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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