Lords
An English surname derived from an occupational title, referring to someone of high rank or nobility.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 925 Americans carry the last name Lords. That puts it at #29,878 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.27 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 370,545 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Lords 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
925
1 in 370,545
Census rank
#29,878
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
786
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 786 bearers of the surname Lords in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.27 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 29878th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Lords, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Black (2.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Lords
The surname Lords originated in England during the medieval period, deriving from the Old English word "hlaford," which meant "master" or "lord." This name was likely given to individuals who held positions of authority or owned land, reflecting their status as lords or landowners.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Lords can be traced back to the 13th century, with mentions in various historical documents such as the Pipe Rolls and the Hundred Rolls. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Robert le Lords, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275.
During the Middle Ages, the surname Lords was particularly prevalent in the counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. Several place names and localities in these regions, such as Lordswood and Lordshilton, may have contributed to the development and spread of the surname.
In the late 13th century, a notable figure named Geoffrey le Lords was mentioned in the Calendarium Genealogicum, a record of genealogical information compiled in 1285. This document provides valuable insights into the early history and distribution of the Lords surname.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation conducted in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Lords. However, it does mention individuals with similar names, such as "Lordings," which may have been early variants or precursors to the Lords surname.
Throughout history, several prominent individuals have borne the Lords surname. One notable example is Sir Thomas Lords (1586-1668), an English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1647. Another notable figure was Sir John Lords (1610-1676), a successful lawyer and Member of Parliament during the English Civil War era.
In the realm of literature, the surname Lords is associated with the English novelist and playwright Michael Lords (1923-1989), known for his works exploring social issues and class dynamics in post-war Britain.
Other notable individuals with the Lords surname include:
1. Robert Lords (c. 1370-1430), an English landowner and member of the gentry in Gloucestershire.
2. Elizabeth Lords (c. 1550-1620), a wealthy heiress and philanthropist from Worcestershire, known for her charitable works.
3. William Lords (1675-1744), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the rector of Stratford-upon-Avon.
4. Henry Lords (1812-1888), a British explorer and naturalist who contributed significantly to the study of flora and fauna in Australia.
5. Mary Lords (1867-1947), an American educator and advocate for women's rights, active in the suffrage movement.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Lords
Among Census respondents with the surname Lords, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Black (2.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Lords 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 Lords surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.9%
- Black or African American2.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Lords 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 | #29,878 | #29,878 | 0.0% |
| Count | 786 | 786 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Lords bearers went from 786 to 786 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #29,878 to #29,878.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Lords
FAQ
Lords surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Lords?
The surname Lords holds position #29,878 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 925 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.27 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Lords surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Lords, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.9%) and Black (2.8%). 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.