UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone who lived on or near a farm.
In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Farm surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #26,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Clee and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Farm is 178 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.5%.
1881 census count
52
Ranked #26,281
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1861
178 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Farm surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Farm surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 46 | #24,985 |
| 1861 | historical | 178 | #13,202 |
| 1881 | historical | 52 | #26,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 116 | #21,766 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 57 | #27,099 |
| 1997 | modern | 18 | #36,053 |
| 1998 | modern | 19 | #36,009 |
| 1999 | modern | 19 | #36,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 19 | #36,007 |
| 2001 | modern | 17 | #36,053 |
| 2002 | modern | 18 | #36,067 |
| 2003 | modern | 21 | #35,825 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 26 | #35,674 |
| 2006 | modern | 24 | #35,981 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 27 | #35,956 |
| 2009 | modern | 28 | #35,988 |
| 2010 | modern | 30 | #35,967 |
| 2011 | modern | 31 | #35,892 |
| 2012 | modern | 30 | #35,929 |
| 2013 | modern | 32 | #35,862 |
| 2014 | modern | 39 | #35,493 |
| 2015 | modern | 38 | #35,526 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Clee, Edinburgh, East Dereham and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Clee | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | East Dereham | Norfolk |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Farm surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Farm, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Farm surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Farm household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Farm is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Farm is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Farm, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname FARM is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "fearm," which means a landed estate or farm. This name initially emerged as an occupational surname, given to those who worked on or managed a farm, or to those who owned a farm or estate.
During the medieval period, the surname FARM was prevalent in various regions of England, particularly in the rural areas where agriculture was a significant part of the economy. It is believed that the earliest recorded instances of this surname date back to the 13th century, appearing in various records and manuscripts.
One of the earliest known references to the surname FARM can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which were records of landholders in England. The name is also mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1379, further indicating its widespread use during that time.
Notable individuals who bore the surname FARM include John Farm, a prominent landowner from Oxfordshire, who lived in the late 14th century. Another early record is of William Farm, a farmer from Hertfordshire, mentioned in the Court Rolls of 1428.
As time passed, the surname FARM evolved and took on various spellings, such as Farme, Ferme, and Fearm, reflecting the regional dialects and variations in pronunciation. These variations can be found in various historical documents, including parish records and manorial rolls.
In the 16th century, the surname FARM gained recognition with the birth of William Farm (c. 1540-1598), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Barnwell, Cambridgeshire. Another notable bearer of this name was Robert Farm (1580-1635), a prominent English Protestant reformer and writer.
During the 17th century, the FARM surname was associated with several individuals who made significant contributions in various fields. One such individual was Richard Farm (1624-1677), an English mathematician and author who published works on algebra and geometry.
As the centuries progressed, the FARM surname continued to be represented by notable individuals, such as James Farm (1712-1786), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 18th century, and Edward Farm (1768-1837), an English painter and engraver known for his landscapes and portraits.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Farm surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 11 Farms recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.84x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 11 | 6.84x |
| Midlothian | 11 | 16.51x |
| Middlesex | 10 | 2.01x |
| Staffordshire | 10 | 5.96x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 4.91x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.41x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.68x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.54x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolverhampton in Staffordshire leads with 9 Farms recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | 9 | 69.71x |
| Barony | 7 | 17.20x |
| Islington London | 6 | 12.45x |
| Edinburgh New | 5 | 961.54x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 5 | 18.66x |
| Aldershot | 4 | 117.30x |
| Bow London | 2 | 31.60x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 2 | 20.70x |
| Carnwath | 2 | 202.02x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 5.00x |
| Duddingston | 1 | 74.63x |
| Farnborough | 1 | 93.46x |
| Govan | 1 | 2.51x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 1 | 15.60x |
| Maryhill | 1 | 31.75x |
| Tamworth | 1 | 111.11x |
| Upton On Severn | 1 | 232.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Farm surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Farm surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Farm households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Box Iron Finisher | 3 |
| Annuintant | 1 |
| Carpenter Lab | 1 |
| Corporal 56th Regiment | 1 |
| Domestic Out Of Place | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Hammer Man (B Smith) | 1 |
| Hosiery Agent | 1 |
| Machinist In Work... | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Oilman | 1 |
| Pastry Cook | 1 |
| Railway Engine Driver | 1 |
| Servt Dom | 1 |
| Stationer Assistant | 1 |
| Wheelwright | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Farm surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Farm a modern rank of #35,162.
A locational surname referring to someone who lived on or near a farm.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Farm bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.