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
Agricultural Labourer 120
Independent 99
Female Servant 89
Male Servant 40
Labourer 38
Farmer 31
Cotton Weaver 19
Shoe Maker 15
Tailor 15
Silk Weaver 14
Baker 13
Weaver 12
Pupil 12
Carter 12
Blacksmith 10
Coal Miner 10
Dress Maker 10
Ag Lab 10
Clerk 9
Grocer 8
Watch Maker 8
Merchant 7
Painter 7
Pipe Maker 7
Dealer 7

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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