NameCensus.

UK surname

Firman

A variant form of the Persian surname Farhman, meaning "teacher" or "instructor".

In the 1881 census there were 764 people recorded with the Firman surname, ranking it #4,835 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 910, ranked #6,254, down from #4,835 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bardwell, London parishes and St James. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mid Suffolk, North Norfolk and Ipswich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Firman is 1,141 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.1%.

1881 census count

764

Ranked #4,835

Modern count

910

2016, ranked #6,254

Peak year

1911

1,141 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Firman had 764 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,835 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 910 in 2016, ranked #6,254.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,141 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Firman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Firman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Firman 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 520 #4,821
1861 historical 376 #6,792
1881 historical 764 #4,835
1891 historical 838 #4,864
1901 historical 1,008 #4,730
1911 historical 1,141 #4,091
1997 modern 969 #5,633
1998 modern 1,024 #5,571
1999 modern 1,001 #5,710
2000 modern 1,003 #5,672
2001 modern 983 #5,653
2002 modern 1,003 #5,668
2003 modern 993 #5,623
2004 modern 961 #5,790
2005 modern 947 #5,799
2006 modern 910 #5,987
2007 modern 920 #5,992
2008 modern 923 #6,018
2009 modern 931 #6,082
2010 modern 944 #6,151
2011 modern 939 #6,125
2012 modern 903 #6,236
2013 modern 942 #6,125
2014 modern 945 #6,151
2015 modern 926 #6,195
2016 modern 910 #6,254

Geography

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Where Firmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bardwell, London parishes, St James and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mid Suffolk, North Norfolk and Ipswich. 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 Bardwell Suffolk
2 London parishes London 1
3 St James Suffolk
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mid Suffolk 010 Mid Suffolk
2 Mid Suffolk 008 Mid Suffolk
3 North Norfolk 014 North Norfolk
4 Ipswich 014 Ipswich
5 Mid Suffolk 009 Mid Suffolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Firman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Firman

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Firman, 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 Firman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Firman 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, Firman 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

Firman is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Firman falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Firman 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 Firman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Firman

The surname Firman is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "fyrman," meaning "foremost man" or "principal man." It is believed to have originated as an occupational name for a nobleman, landlord, or chief tenant of a village or manor.

The earliest recorded instances of the Firman surname can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was William Firman, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1275.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Forman, Formane, and Fermane, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling practices of the time. The name was also associated with certain place names, such as Firman Hill in Derbyshire and Firman Field in Nottinghamshire.

The Firman surname gained prominence during the Tudor and Stuart periods, with several notable individuals bearing the name. One such person was Thomas Firman (c. 1570-1636), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Guildford in 1625.

Another notable figure was William Firman (1611-1679), an English Puritan minister who served as the rector of Redgrave in Suffolk. He was known for his religious writings and sermons, which were published after his death.

During the 18th century, the Firman surname was associated with the landed gentry and aristocracy. Edward Firman (1722-1782) was a British baronet and landowner who inherited the Firman family estate in Oxfordshire.

In the 19th century, the name gained further recognition with individuals like John Firman (1806-1878), a prominent English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Other notable bearers of the Firman surname include William Firman (1747-1823), an English clergyman and author, and Thomas Firman (1770-1855), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars.

Throughout its history, the Firman surname has been associated with various professions and social classes, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of its bearers. It remains a distinctive and recognizable surname, carrying with it a rich heritage and legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Firman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Firman 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. Suffolk leads with 197 Firmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.76x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 197 21.76x
Middlesex 108 1.45x
Essex 100 6.82x
Norfolk 66 5.77x
Kent 49 1.93x
Surrey 38 1.05x
Nottinghamshire 33 3.29x
Lancashire 28 0.32x
Cambridgeshire 25 5.31x
Yorkshire 21 0.29x
Durham 18 0.81x
Hertfordshire 18 3.51x
Hampshire 14 0.92x
Staffordshire 10 0.40x
Berkshire 6 1.08x
Lincolnshire 6 0.50x
Bedfordshire 4 1.04x
Warwickshire 4 0.21x
Dorset 3 0.61x
Angus 2 0.29x
Northumberland 2 0.18x
Sussex 2 0.16x
Wiltshire 2 0.30x
Devon 1 0.06x
Glamorgan 1 0.08x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.68x
Perthshire 1 0.30x
Royal Navy 1 1.13x
Worcestershire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barking in Essex leads with 18 Firmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.93x.

Place Total Index
Barking 18 41.93x
Bishop Stortford 18 105.20x
Wetherden 17 1338.58x
Bury St Edmunds St James 14 57.90x
Nottingham St Mary 13 5.02x
Bethnal Green London 12 3.72x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 12 70.63x
Poplar London 12 8.55x
Toxteth Park 12 4.02x
Bardwell 11 569.95x
Brightlingsea 11 131.26x
Great Barton 11 523.81x
Kensington London 11 2.66x
Lowestoft 11 25.72x
Nayland 11 478.26x
Queenborough 11 438.25x
Rochester St Margaret 11 41.14x
Bromley London 10 6.12x
Haughley 10 442.48x
Ipswich St Margaret 10 32.55x
Wednesbury 10 15.95x
Barnes 9 58.75x
Creeting St Peter 9 1475.41x
Stranton 9 12.09x
Thorpe Morieux 9 849.06x
Thorpe Next Norwich 9 74.32x
Wivenhoe 9 154.37x
Blundeston 8 439.56x
Fingringhoe 8 1481.48x
Horton In Bradford 8 6.95x
North Tuddenham 8 930.23x
St Andrewthe Less 8 14.87x
Deptford St Paul 7 3.58x
Heigham 7 11.41x
Hucknall Torkard 7 27.55x
Ipswich St Mathew 7 27.59x
Paddington London 7 2.56x
Palgrave 7 368.42x
St Peter Cambridge 7 443.04x
Tendring 7 324.07x
Camberwell 6 1.26x
Dartford 6 23.14x
Earley 6 64.59x
East Dereham 6 41.55x
Hammersmith London 6 3.28x
Lancaster 6 11.43x
Lee 6 16.30x
Radford 6 11.79x
Redgrave 6 422.54x
Shelland 6 2500.00x
Snetterton 6 1153.85x
Elvenden 5 632.91x
Hengrave 5 980.39x
Portsea 5 1.67x
Ryhope 5 32.57x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 3.34x
Spitalfields London 5 8.94x
St George Hanover Square 5 3.82x
St Marylebone London 5 1.26x
Swavesey 5 165.56x
Wereham 5 320.51x
Aldershot 4 7.84x
Barrowford Booth 4 40.98x
Battersea 4 1.46x
Birmingham 4 0.64x
Chatham 4 5.73x
Hatfield Broad Oak 4 80.81x
Luton 4 6.00x
Mountnessing 4 179.37x
Nottingham St Peter 4 35.81x
Prittlewell 4 19.68x
Soham 4 39.49x
St George In East London 4 5.72x
Bradford 3 1.68x
Dewsbury 3 3.97x
Great Burstead 3 56.18x
Isleworth 3 9.08x
Lambeth 3 0.46x
Manchester 3 0.76x
Whippingham 3 26.00x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 48
John 34
George 33
James 28
Arthur 19
Henry 19
Robert 19
Charles 18
Edward 12
Frederick 9
Alfred 8
Thomas 8
Harry 7
Ernest 5
Joseph 5
Albert 4
Benjamin 4
Walter 4
David 3
Fred 3
Geo. 3
Robt. 3
Willie 3
Benjaman 2
Chas. 2
Edwin 2
Herbert 2
Wm. 2
Allan 1
Archer 1
Benjamam 1
Benjamine 1
Bernard 1
Bertram 1
Dennis 1
Edgar 1
Edwd. 1
Edwd.F. 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Haddock 1
Harold 1
Hen. 1
Horace 1
Humphrey 1
Jethro 1
Jno. 1
Joe 1
Zachariah 1

FAQ

Firman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Firman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 764 people were recorded with the Firman surname. That placed it at #4,835 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Firman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 910 in 2016. That gives Firman a modern rank of #6,254.

What does the Firman surname mean?

A variant form of the Persian surname Farhman, meaning "teacher" or "instructor".

What does the Firman map show?

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