UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "firm" or "strong" in French.
In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Ferm surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 21, ranked #36,596, down from #31,914 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Mildenhall, Hathersage and Stockport. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ferm is 133 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 75.0%.
1881 census count
12
Ranked #31,914
Modern count
21
2016, ranked #36,596
Peak year
1861
133 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ferm surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ferm 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 | 68 | #21,302 |
| 1861 | historical | 133 | #16,835 |
| 1881 | historical | 12 | #31,914 |
| 1891 | historical | 120 | #21,292 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 19 | #35,928 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 22 | #35,725 |
| 2000 | modern | 22 | #35,684 |
| 2001 | modern | 23 | #35,451 |
| 2002 | modern | 22 | #35,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 21 | #35,825 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 20 | #36,165 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 23 | #36,313 |
| 2010 | modern | 24 | #36,341 |
| 2011 | modern | 22 | #36,430 |
| 2012 | modern | 20 | #36,570 |
| 2013 | modern | 24 | #36,344 |
| 2014 | modern | 21 | #36,577 |
| 2015 | modern | 21 | #36,574 |
| 2016 | modern | 21 | #36,596 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Mildenhall, Hathersage, Stockport, Isleworth and Govan Combination. 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 | Mildenhall | Suffolk |
| 2 | Hathersage | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 4 | Isleworth | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 5 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ferm 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 Ferm, 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 Ferm surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ferm 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, Ferm 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 Ferm is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ferm, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname FERM originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "feorm," which means "provisions" or "food rent." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who worked on a farm or provided provisions to a lord or landowner.
The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Norfolk, dated 1273, where it appears as "Robert Ferm." This indicates that the name was already established in Norfolk by the late 13th century.
In the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, there is a record of a John Ferm, suggesting that the name had spread to other parts of England by the early 14th century.
The Ferm surname is also found in the Placita de Quo Warranto records of 1292, which were a series of inquiries conducted by Edward I to establish the rights and privileges of landowners and tenants.
During the Middle Ages, the Ferm family was associated with the village of Farnham in Surrey, which was originally known as "Ferm-ham" or "Ferm's homestead." This connection to a place name further strengthens the link between the surname and its agricultural origins.
One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Ferm, who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1391. He played a significant role in the governance of the city and was involved in various charitable works during his tenure.
Another prominent individual with the Ferm surname was Richard Ferm, a scholar and theologian who lived in the late 16th century. He was educated at the University of Cambridge and became a fellow of Trinity College, contributing to the intellectual discourse of his time.
In the 17th century, there was a William Ferm who was a member of the Honorable Artillery Company, a prestigious military organization in London. His involvement in this company indicates that the Ferm family had gained social standing and influence by this period.
During the 18th century, a notable figure was Thomas Ferm, a successful merchant and landowner who resided in the town of Farnham. He was involved in local politics and served as a magistrate, reflecting the family's continued prominence in the region.
In the 19th century, the Ferm surname was also found in Scotland, with a James Ferm being recorded as a prominent lawyer and advocate in Edinburgh. He was known for his legal expertise and played a significant role in shaping the Scottish legal system of his time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ferm 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. Lancashire leads with 4 Ferms recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.88x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 4 | 2.88x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 7.75x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 1.71x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 1.73x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 2.65x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 7.03x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aspull in Lancashire leads with 4 Ferms recorded in 1881 and an index of 1212.12x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aspull | 4 | 1212.12x |
| Mirfield | 2 | 312.50x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 39.45x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 48.54x |
| Chester St Oswald | 1 | 212.77x |
| Govan | 1 | 10.70x |
| Reydon | 1 | 10000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ferm 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 Ferm 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 Ferm households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Colliery Labourer | 1 |
| Fireman | 1 |
| Gilder | 1 |
| Horse Driver | 1 |
| Labourer At A Colliery | 1 |
| Washer Woman | 1 |
| Woollen Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Ferm surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 21 in 2016. That gives Ferm a modern rank of #36,596.
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "firm" or "strong" in French.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ferm 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.