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
Living On Own Means 112
Dress Maker 49
Scholar 38
General Labourer 37
Cotton Weaver 36
General Servant Domestic 30
Coal Miner Hewer 25
Domestic Servant 18
Coal Miner 17
Agricultural Labourer 16
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer 16
Commercial Clerk 15
Farmer 14
Housemaid Domestic 14
Coal Hewer 13
Laundress Wash 12
Cook Domestic 11
House Painter 11
Labourer 11
Cotton Spinner 10
Charwoman 9
Dock Labourer 9
Farm Labourer 9
Railway Porter 9
Tailor 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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