NameCensus.

UK surname

Emm

A surname derived from a pet form of the given name Emma.

In the 1881 census there were 214 people recorded with the Emm surname, ranking it #12,284 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 385, ranked #12,232, up from #12,284 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Broad Chalk, London parishes and Salisbury St Edmund. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Emm is 426 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 79.9%.

1881 census count

214

Ranked #12,284

Modern count

385

2016, ranked #12,232

Peak year

2002

426 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Emm had 214 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,284 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 385 in 2016, ranked #12,232.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 280 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Emm surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Emm surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Emm 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 203 #10,291
1881 historical 214 #12,284
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1901 historical 280 #12,193
1997 modern 389 #11,238
1998 modern 406 #11,228
1999 modern 417 #11,091
2000 modern 406 #11,271
2001 modern 405 #11,121
2002 modern 426 #10,918
2003 modern 394 #11,384
2004 modern 410 #11,077
2005 modern 402 #11,137
2006 modern 391 #11,432
2007 modern 386 #11,676
2008 modern 369 #12,210
2009 modern 376 #12,290
2010 modern 380 #12,462
2011 modern 382 #12,272
2012 modern 359 #12,698
2013 modern 373 #12,550
2014 modern 371 #12,689
2015 modern 379 #12,385
2016 modern 385 #12,232

Geography

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Where Emms are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Broad Chalk, London parishes, Salisbury St Edmund, Bishopston and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset and West Dorset. 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 Broad Chalk Wiltshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Salisbury St Edmund Wiltshire
4 Bishopston Wiltshire
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 054 Wiltshire
2 Wiltshire 062 Wiltshire
3 Bath and North East Somerset 023 Bath and North East Somerset
4 Wiltshire 048 Wiltshire
5 West Dorset 003 West Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Emm

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Emm

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Emm, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Emm surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Emm 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Emm is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Emm is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Emm falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Emm is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Emm

The surname Emm is of German origin, and it is believed to have emerged in the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old German word "emme," which means a bushel or a measure of grain. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals involved in agriculture or the trade of grains.

The earliest recorded instances of the Emm surname can be found in historical documents from the region of Saxony, Germany. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Johannes Emm, a farmer from the town of Erfurt, who was mentioned in a land registry from the year 1375.

In the 15th century, the Emm surname appeared in the Bärnau Tax Rolls, a historical record of taxpayers in the town of Bärnau, located in the region of Upper Palatinate, Bavaria. This record provides evidence of the name's presence in different parts of Germany during that time period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who carried the Emm surname. One such person was Johann Emm, a German theologian and author who lived in the 16th century (1520-1592). He is known for his works on Protestant theology and his involvement in the Reformation movement.

Another prominent figure with the Emm surname was Friedrich Emm, a German painter and engraver who lived in the 18th century (1734-1809). He was recognized for his landscapes and portraits, and his works can be found in various art galleries across Germany.

In the 19th century, Carl Emm (1819-1892) gained recognition as a German architect and urban planner. He is particularly known for his contributions to the development of the city of Frankfurt, where he designed several prominent buildings and urban spaces.

The name Emm can also be found in historical records from other regions, such as the Netherlands and Switzerland, suggesting that it may have spread beyond Germany over time. For instance, in the 17th century, there was a notable Dutch painter named Jacob Emm (1630-1690), known for his Still Life paintings.

While the Emm surname may not be as prevalent today as it once was, it remains a part of the rich tapestry of German and European history, with its roots stretching back to the medieval era and its association with agriculture and trade. Throughout the centuries, individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions in various fields, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and intellectual landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Emm families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Emm surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Wiltshire leads with 82 Emms recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.60x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 82 43.60x
Hampshire 43 9.87x
Middlesex 34 1.60x
Somerset 20 5.84x
Norfolk 9 2.75x
Sussex 6 1.67x
Surrey 5 0.48x
Berkshire 4 2.51x
Kent 4 0.55x
Midlothian 3 1.05x
Anglesey 2 5.31x
Cheshire 2 0.43x
Devon 2 0.45x
Angus 1 0.51x
Essex 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Broad Chalk in Wiltshire leads with 51 Emms recorded in 1881 and an index of 9622.64x.

Place Total Index
Broad Chalk 51 9622.64x
Bishopstone 12 1333.33x
Westbury 9 205.01x
Buriton 8 952.38x
Hackney London 8 6.71x
Lockerley 8 1818.18x
Wellow 8 792.08x
Bethnal Green London 7 7.58x
Paulton 7 445.86x
Islington London 6 2.91x
Mile End Old Town London 6 13.26x
Southampton St Mary 6 21.89x
Norwich St Benedict 5 342.47x
Portsea 5 5.85x
Amport 4 816.33x
Cookham 4 80.32x
Maidstone 4 18.51x
Weston 4 152.09x
Brighton 3 4.15x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 3 44.51x
Midhurst 3 254.24x
Petersfield 3 250.00x
Shoreditch London 3 3.25x
Battersea 2 2.56x
Birkenhead 2 5.34x
Bromley London 2 4.28x
Camberwell 2 1.47x
East Meon 2 175.44x
Llanbedr Goch 2 909.09x
Norwich St Etheldred 2 434.78x
Shipton Bellinger 2 952.38x
Stoke Damerel 2 6.46x
Alverstoke 1 6.34x
Andover 1 24.27x
Bonchurch 1 204.08x
Boyton 1 454.55x
Dundee 1 1.36x
Durnford 1 303.03x
Durrington 1 344.83x
Fifield Bavant 1 2000.00x
Heigham 1 5.70x
Kensington London 1 0.85x
Laverstock 1 303.03x
North Lopham 1 196.08x
Salisbury St Edmund 1 33.11x
Saltford 1 312.50x
Sheet 1 212.77x
South Newton 1 204.08x
Steeple Langford 1 263.16x
Thruxton 1 434.78x
Tottenham 1 2.95x
Walthamstow 1 6.62x
Warminster 1 24.27x
Whiteparish 1 125.00x
Wimbledon 1 8.60x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Emm surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 11
Jane 8
Mary 7
Eliza 6
Sarah 6
Ellen 5
Harriet 5
Ann 4
Edith 4
Kate 3
Maria 3
Rose 3
Agnes 2
Alice 2
Fanny 2
Lucy 2
Matilda 2
Susan 2
Anna 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Bertha 1
Camilla 1
Catharine 1
Emily 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Florance 1
Francis 1
Georgina 1
Idonia 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Louisa 1
Marian 1
Martha 1
Sabina 1
Syllia 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Emm surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 12
William 12
Henry 11
George 7
Thomas 7
Charles 6
Joseph 6
Benjamin 4
Frederick 4
James 4
Walter 4
Alfred 3
Albert 2
Ambrose 2
Anthony 2
Emery 2
Harry 2
Morgan 2
Samuel 2
Abel 1
Alfd. 1
Archibald 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edd. 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Hezekiah 1
Jos. 1
Moses 1
Robert 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Thos.P. 1
Tom. 1
Wm. 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Emm surname: questions and answers

How common was the Emm surname in 1881?

In 1881, 214 people were recorded with the Emm surname. That placed it at #12,284 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Emm surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 385 in 2016. That gives Emm a modern rank of #12,232.

What does the Emm surname mean?

A surname derived from a pet form of the given name Emma.

What does the Emm map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Emm 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.