NameCensus.

UK surname

Firmin

A surname derived from the French masculine name Firmin, which means "steadfast" or "resolute."

In the 1881 census there were 395 people recorded with the Firmin surname, ranking it #8,037 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 657, ranked #8,108, down from #8,037 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a and Luton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maidstone, Auchnagatt and Cherwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Firmin is 745 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.3%.

1881 census count

395

Ranked #8,037

Modern count

657

2016, ranked #8,108

Peak year

1998

745 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Firmin had 395 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,037 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 657 in 2016, ranked #8,108.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 637 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Firmin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Firmin surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Firmin 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 246 #8,891
1861 historical 209 #11,596
1881 historical 395 #8,037
1891 historical 346 #9,920
1901 historical 480 #8,301
1911 historical 637 #6,541
1997 modern 725 #7,045
1998 modern 745 #7,145
1999 modern 745 #7,181
2000 modern 730 #7,259
2001 modern 716 #7,233
2002 modern 704 #7,474
2003 modern 682 #7,548
2004 modern 667 #7,699
2005 modern 657 #7,709
2006 modern 656 #7,745
2007 modern 656 #7,806
2008 modern 660 #7,817
2009 modern 675 #7,861
2010 modern 677 #7,983
2011 modern 663 #8,031
2012 modern 651 #8,066
2013 modern 671 #7,997
2014 modern 682 #7,941
2015 modern 658 #8,116
2016 modern 657 #8,108

Geography

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Where Firmins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a, Luton and Stoke by Nayland, Assington, Wissington, Nayland. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maidstone, Auchnagatt, Cherwell, Chelmsford and St Albans. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a Essex
3 Luton Bedfordshire
4 Stoke by Nayland, Assington, Wissington, Nayland Suffolk
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Maidstone 018 Maidstone
2 Auchnagatt Aberdeenshire
3 Cherwell 011 Cherwell
4 Chelmsford 019 Chelmsford
5 St Albans 001 St Albans

Forenames

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First names often paired with Firmin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Firmin

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

Firmin is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Firmin falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Firmin

The surname Firmin originated in France during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French given name Firmin, which itself comes from the Latin name Firminus, a diminutive form of the Roman name Firmus, meaning "firm" or "steadfast." The name Firmin was particularly popular in northern France, especially in the regions of Normandy and Picardy.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the surname Firmin was Firmin de Villers, who lived in the 12th century and was mentioned in a charter from the Abbey of Saint-Riquier in Picardy. Another early reference to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landowner named Firmin is listed as holding lands in Cambridgeshire, England.

In the 13th century, a notable person with the surname Firmin was Gilles Firmin, a French scholar and theologian who taught at the University of Paris. He was born around 1200 and is known for his writings on theology and philosophy.

During the 14th century, a prominent bearer of the name was Jean Firmin, a French architect who worked on the construction of the Cathedral of Chartres. He lived from around 1320 to 1390.

In the 15th century, there was a French cleric and diplomat named Jacques Firmin, who served as the ambassador of King Charles VII of France to the Council of Basel. He was born around 1400 and died in 1462.

Another noteworthy individual with the surname Firmin was Giles Firmin, an English Puritan minister and writer who lived from 1614 to 1697. He was a prominent figure in the early settlement of New England and wrote several works on religious topics.

During the 17th century, there was also a French painter named René Firmin, who was active in Paris and is known for his religious paintings and portraits. He lived from around 1635 to 1703.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Firmin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Firmin 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. Essex leads with 149 Firmins recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.59x.

County Total Index
Essex 149 19.59x
Middlesex 67 1.74x
Surrey 64 3.41x
Suffolk 42 8.95x
Kent 20 1.52x
Bedfordshire 11 5.51x
Hampshire 11 1.39x
Sussex 7 1.08x
Herefordshire 6 3.80x
Hertfordshire 4 1.51x
Lancashire 4 0.09x
Oxfordshire 4 1.68x
Shropshire 2 0.60x
Cheshire 1 0.12x
Durham 1 0.09x
Somerset 1 0.16x
Warwickshire 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. Belchamp Walter in Essex leads with 25 Firmins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3086.42x.

Place Total Index
Belchamp Walter 25 3086.42x
Colne Engaine 16 2318.84x
Bethnal Green London 14 8.36x
Halstead 13 146.56x
Nayland 12 1008.40x
Stoke 12 2857.14x
Bishops Waltham 11 334.35x
Camberwell 11 4.47x
Croydon 11 10.56x
Luton 11 31.85x
West Ham 11 6.55x
Deptford St Paul 10 9.86x
Beckenham 8 46.54x
Epsom 7 76.50x
Finchingfield 7 294.12x
High Ongar 7 500.00x
Islington London 7 1.87x
Kew 7 642.20x
Stebbing 7 476.19x
Breinton 6 983.61x
Colchester St Peter 6 197.37x
Lambeth 6 1.79x
Newington 6 4.22x
Clapham 5 10.38x
Colchester St Mary At 5 185.19x
Farnham 5 34.25x
Kensington London 5 2.33x
Mile End Old Town London 5 6.10x
Prittlewell 5 47.44x
St Andrew Holborn London 5 29.98x
Walsham Le Willows 5 318.47x
Willesden 5 13.77x
Barking 4 164.61x
Bishop Stortford 4 45.10x
Chelmsford 4 30.65x
Copford 4 459.77x
Henley On Thames 4 82.14x
Mashbury 4 2105.26x
St George In East London 4 11.04x
Bocking 3 65.65x
Bulmer 3 326.09x
Chester All Sts 3 491.80x
Dorking 3 23.79x
Great Bromley 3 315.79x
Hendon 3 21.65x
Stoke By Nayland 3 197.37x
Brighton 2 1.53x
Broadwater 2 13.42x
Fulham London 2 3.58x
Great Warley 2 116.28x
Hackney London 2 0.93x
Hadleigh 2 43.96x
Hammersmith London 2 2.11x
Hampstead London 2 3.33x
Hutton 2 338.98x
Huyton With Roby 2 37.31x
Kirkdale 2 2.60x
Maldon St Peter 2 51.68x
Mile End New Town London 2 26.28x
Mountnessing 2 173.91x
Paddington London 2 1.41x
St Martin 2 53.76x
St Marylebone London 2 0.97x
Sudbury St Peter 2 77.82x
Witham 2 51.02x
Acton 1 4.43x
Chester Le Street 1 11.36x
Coulsdon 1 29.33x
Felstead 1 38.31x
Horndon On Hill 1 128.21x
Kingston On Thames 1 2.22x
Mile End 1 71.94x
Preston 1 8.82x
Romford 1 8.32x
Runcorn 1 5.10x
Sevenoaks 1 9.38x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.29x
St Pancras London 1 0.32x
Walcot 1 3.03x
Wanstead 1 7.51x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 21
William 19
Henry 13
Charles 12
James 10
John 10
Walter 10
Frederick 9
Edward 8
Arthur 6
Thomas 6
Alfred 3
Frank 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Joseph 3
Robert 3
Ernest 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Horace 2
Maurice 2
Oliver 2
Philip 2
Archer 1
Bertram 1
Boyes 1
Cecil 1
Cornelius 1
David 1
Edmond 1
Eldred 1
F.T.H. 1
Fred 1
Geo.H. 1
Gerald 1
Gordon 1
Henery 1
Heny.J 1
Isaac 1
Jas.Arthur 1
Katish 1
Leonard 1
Lestir 1
Mary 1
Porter 1
Richard 1
Stanley 1
Stephen 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Firmin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Firmin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 395 people were recorded with the Firmin surname. That placed it at #8,037 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Firmin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 657 in 2016. That gives Firmin a modern rank of #8,108.

What does the Firmin surname mean?

A surname derived from the French masculine name Firmin, which means "steadfast" or "resolute."

What does the Firmin map show?

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