Lampson
An English surname derived from Old English words referring to a light-keeper or lamplighter.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 960 Americans carry the last name Lampson. That puts it at #28,525 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.28 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 357,036 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lampson surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
960
1 in 357,036
Census rank
#28,525
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
836
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 836 bearers of the surname Lampson in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.28 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 28525th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lampson, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Black (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lampson
The surname Lampson has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "lamp" and "son," which together mean "son of the lamp keeper" or "son of the lamp maker." This occupational name likely referred to individuals who were responsible for maintaining lamps or producing lamp oil in churches, monasteries, or other religious establishments.
The earliest known record of the name Lampson can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which lists a Richard Lampsone. Another early mention is in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, where a John Lampeson is recorded as a taxpayer.
In the 14th century, the Lampson family had established roots in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Lampsone, Lampeson, and Lampson, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling during that time.
One notable individual with the surname Lampson was Sir William Lampson (1504-1578), who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1568. He was a wealthy merchant and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I for his services to the city.
Another prominent figure was John Lampson (1640-1702), a Puritan minister who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham. He was a vocal critic of the Church of England's practices and was briefly imprisoned for his nonconformist views.
In the 18th century, the Lampson family had a presence in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. One member, Richard Lampson (1715-1789), was a successful businessman and served as the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1771.
The name Lampson also has connections to the American colonies. Thomas Lampson (1639-1703) was one of the early settlers in Ipswich, Massachusetts, arriving in the 1630s. His descendants went on to establish themselves in various parts of New England and beyond.
Another notable figure was Benjamin Lampson (1765-1842), a Revolutionary War veteran from Connecticut who later became a prominent farmer and landowner in Onondaga County, New York. He played a role in the early development of the region and had several townships named after him.
Overall, the surname Lampson has a rich history spanning several centuries, with its origins rooted in medieval England and ties to various occupations, religious establishments, and prominent individuals throughout the ages.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lampson
Among Census respondents with the surname Lampson, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Black (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Lampson bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Lampson surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.2%
- Hispanic or Latino3.4%
- Black or African American2.4%
- Two or more races1.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lampson surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #28,525 | #28,525 | 0.0% |
| Count | 836 | 836 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.28 | 0.28 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Lampson bearers went from 836 to 836 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #28,525 to #28,525.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lampson
FAQ
Lampson surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lampson?
The surname Lampson holds position #28,525 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 960 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.28 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lampson surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lampson, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%) and Black (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.