Lights
A surname derived from a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a prominent light source.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Lights. That puts it at #147,253 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lights 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
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#147,253
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
112
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 112 bearers of the surname Lights in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 147253rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lights, the largest self-reported group is Black at 86.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lights
The surname LIGHTS originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "leoht," meaning "light" or "bright." It was initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone with fair hair or a bright complexion, or perhaps even as an occupational name for a person involved in the production or maintenance of lights or lamps.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the LIGHTS surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like survey conducted in England in 1273, which mentions a "William le Lyghte." This spelling variation, "le Lyghte," reflects the Norman-French influence on English surnames during this period.
The LIGHTS surname also appears in various historical records from the 13th to the 16th centuries, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire (1327), where a "John Lyghte" is listed, and the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Wiltshire (1524), which mentions a "Thomas Lighte."
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname LIGHTS became more prevalent, with notable individuals bearing this name including John Lights (c.1570-1647), an English churchman and theologian who served as the Dean of Peterborough Cathedral from 1638 until his death.
In the 18th century, Francis Lights (1719-1794) was a prominent English engraver and printseller, known for his topographical and architectural engravings. His work documented various buildings and landscapes across England during this period.
The 19th century saw the birth of Edward Lights (1835-1908), a British businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Liverpool, including the construction of the Lights Building, which still stands today.
Another notable figure from this era was Mary Lights (1853-1924), a British novelist and children's author who wrote under the pen name "Mrs. Molesworth." Her works, such as "The Cuckoo Clock" and "Carrots: Just a Little Boy," were widely popular during the Victorian era.
As the LIGHTS surname spread throughout the British Isles and beyond, it also evolved into various spellings, such as Light, Lyte, and Lyght, reflecting regional variations and phonetic adaptations over time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lights
Among Census respondents with the surname Lights, the largest self-reported group is Black at 86.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Lights 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 Lights surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American86.6%
- Hispanic or Latino7.1%
- Unknown or suppressed6.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lights 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #127,186 | #147,253 | -15.8% |
| Count | 124 | 112 | -9.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.04 | -20.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Lights bearers went from 124 to 112 (-9.7% change). The surname moved down 20,067 positions in the national ranking, going from #127,186 to #147,253.
FAQ
Lights surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lights?
The surname Lights holds position #147,253 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lights surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lights, the largest self-reported group is Black at 86.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.1%). 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.