Lien
A French surname derived from a nickname for a trustworthy person or a topographic name for a resident near a grove.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 7,918 Americans carry the last name Lien. That puts it at #5,127 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.31 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 43,288 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lien 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
7.9K
1 in 43,288
Census rank
#5,127
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
6.8K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 6,827 bearers of the surname Lien in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.31 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 5127th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lien, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.6%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (31.4%) and Two or More Races (1.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lien
The surname LIEN originated in France during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "lien," meaning "bond" or "tie." This name likely referred to a person who was somehow bound or tied to a particular place or individual, perhaps as a servant or retainer.
The earliest known record of the LIEN surname dates back to the 13th century in the region of Normandy, France. One of the earliest documented individuals with this name was Guillaume Lien, a minor landowner mentioned in a charter from 1267.
In the 14th century, the LIEN name appeared in several tax records and legal documents in the French provinces of Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy. The spellings varied slightly, with forms such as "Lyen," "Lian," and "Lyan" also being used.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the LIEN surname spread to other regions of France, including the Île-de-France and Poitou-Charentes. One notable bearer of this name was Jean Lien, a merchant from Rouen who lived from approximately 1420 to 1489.
In the 17th century, the LIEN name began to appear in various records across Europe, likely due to migration from France. One example is Hans Lien, a German farmer born in 1624 in the village of Niederbronn, Alsace (now part of France).
Other notable individuals with the LIEN surname throughout history include:
1. Pierre Lien (1580-1644), a French Jesuit missionary who worked in Canada and played a role in the early colonization of New France.
2. Francois Lien (1685-1748), a French painter and engraver known for his portraits and religious works.
3. Josephine Lien (1792-1868), a French writer and feminist who advocated for women's education and rights.
4. Charles Lien (1819-1892), a Belgian engineer and inventor who contributed to the development of early steam engines.
5. Emile Lien (1876-1932), a French composer and pianist known for his works in the Impressionist style.
While the LIEN surname is not among the most common in France today, it has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life across Europe over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lien
Among Census respondents with the surname Lien, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.6%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (31.4%) and Two or More Races (1.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Lien 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 Lien surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White64.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander31.4%
- Two or more races1.7%
- Hispanic or Latino1.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
- Black or African American0.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lien 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 | #5,127 | #5,127 | 0.0% |
| Count | 6,827 | 6,827 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 2.31 | 2.31 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Lien bearers went from 6,827 to 6,827 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #5,127 to #5,127.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lien
FAQ
Lien surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lien?
The surname Lien holds position #5,127 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 7,918 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.31 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lien surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lien, the largest self-reported group is White at 64.6%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (31.4%) and Two or More Races (1.7%). 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.