NameCensus.

UK surname

Delima

A Portuguese surname referring to a lime or linden tree, or a person living near one.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Merton, Hammersmith and Fulham and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Delima is 199 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

191

2016, ranked #20,194

Peak year

2015

199 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 191 in 2016, ranked #20,194.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Delima surname distribution map

The map shows where the Delima surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Delima surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Delima over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 2 #33,133
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 93 #27,932
1998 modern 90 #28,920
1999 modern 98 #28,050
2000 modern 99 #27,845
2001 modern 97 #27,823
2002 modern 99 #28,082
2003 modern 93 #28,829
2004 modern 107 #26,899
2005 modern 125 #24,398
2006 modern 127 #24,384
2007 modern 133 #24,059
2008 modern 137 #23,883
2009 modern 156 #22,351
2010 modern 157 #22,800
2011 modern 157 #22,574
2012 modern 179 #20,679
2013 modern 184 #20,643
2014 modern 198 #19,841
2015 modern 199 #19,640
2016 modern 191 #20,194

Geography

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Where Delimas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Merton, Hammersmith and Fulham, Redbridge and Brent. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Merton 004 Merton
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 007 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Redbridge 022 Redbridge
4 Merton 010 Merton
5 Brent 032 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Delima

These lists show first names that appear often with the Delima surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Delima

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Delima, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Delima surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Delima household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Delima is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Delima is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Delima falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Delima is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Delima, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Delima

The surname DELIMA has its origins in Portugal, dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to be a toponymic name derived from the Portuguese town of Lima, located in the northern region of the country. The town's name is thought to have its roots in the Latin word "limae," meaning "mud banks" or "sludge," referring to the muddy banks of the Lima River that flows through the area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the DELIMA surname can be found in the archives of the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, Portugal, where a document from 1481 mentions a certain "João Delima" as a landowner in the region.

During the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, many Portuguese explorers and settlers spread across the world, taking their surnames with them. This could explain the presence of the DELIMA name in various Portuguese-influenced regions, such as Brazil, Goa, and parts of Africa.

A notable figure bearing the DELIMA surname was Gaspar de Lemos Delima (1524-1591), a Portuguese explorer and navigator who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on his historic voyage around the world. He was one of the few survivors of the expedition and played a crucial role in documenting the journey's events.

Another prominent individual was Father António Delima (1635-1701), a Jesuit priest and missionary who spent many years in Brazil, working to convert indigenous tribes to Christianity. He is credited with establishing several missions and settlements in the Brazilian interior.

In the 19th century, José Delima (1820-1892) was a prominent figure in the fight for Brazilian independence from Portugal. He served as a military commander and played a crucial role in several battles against the Portuguese forces.

Moving into the 20th century, Maria Delima (1902-1987) was a renowned Portuguese writer and poet, known for her works that explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Her poetry collections, such as "Canções do Outono" (Songs of Autumn), gained widespread acclaim and established her as a prominent voice in Portuguese literature.

Lastly, António Delima (1924-2001) was a celebrated Portuguese architect who left a lasting impact on the urban landscape of Lisbon and other cities. He was known for his innovative designs that blended traditional Portuguese elements with modern architectural styles.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Delima surname: questions and answers

How common is the Delima surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 191 in 2016. That gives Delima a modern rank of #20,194.

What does the Delima surname mean?

A Portuguese surname referring to a lime or linden tree, or a person living near one.

What does the Delima map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Delima bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.