NameCensus.

UK surname

Fitzsimmons

An anglicized form of the Irish patronymic surname Mac Giolla Shím, meaning "son of the servant of Simon."

In the 1881 census there were 707 people recorded with the Fitzsimmons surname, ranking it #5,139 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,108, ranked #2,172, up from #5,139 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Knowsley, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fitzsimmons is 3,205 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 339.6%.

1881 census count

707

Ranked #5,139

Modern count

3,108

2016, ranked #2,172

Peak year

2010

3,205 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fitzsimmons had 707 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,139 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,108 in 2016, ranked #2,172.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,191 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Fitzsimmons surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fitzsimmons surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fitzsimmons 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 188 #10,939
1861 historical 250 #9,877
1881 historical 707 #5,139
1891 historical 645 #6,016
1901 historical 1,191 #4,125
1911 historical 952 #4,733
1997 modern 2,901 #2,233
1998 modern 2,979 #2,263
1999 modern 3,042 #2,228
2000 modern 3,030 #2,224
2001 modern 2,962 #2,224
2002 modern 3,036 #2,221
2003 modern 2,990 #2,198
2004 modern 2,970 #2,209
2005 modern 2,943 #2,202
2006 modern 2,924 #2,210
2007 modern 2,968 #2,199
2008 modern 3,009 #2,183
2009 modern 3,074 #2,192
2010 modern 3,205 #2,156
2011 modern 3,102 #2,196
2012 modern 3,060 #2,185
2013 modern 3,139 #2,171
2014 modern 3,194 #2,156
2015 modern 3,138 #2,164
2016 modern 3,108 #2,172

Geography

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Where Fitzsimmons' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Liverpool, West Derby and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Knowsley, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields, West Devon, Fairlie and Rural and Cardowan and Millerston. 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 Manchester Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 West Derby Lancashire
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Knowsley 002 Knowsley
2 Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields South Ayrshire
3 West Devon 005 West Devon
4 Fairlie and Rural North Ayrshire
5 Cardowan and Millerston North Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fitzsimmons

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fitzsimmons

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Fitzsimmons surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Fitzsimmons household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Fitzsimmons is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Fitzsimmons is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Fitzsimmons falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fitzsimmons 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Fitzsimmons

The surname FITZSIMMONS has its origins in Ireland, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac Siomóin," meaning "son of Simon." This name was commonly anglicized to FitzSimon and later to FITZSIMMONS.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, which mentions a notable figure named Aedh Ua Crimthainn FitzSimon in 1197. These annals were a chronicle of events in medieval Ireland, documenting the lives of prominent individuals and families.

During the Norman invasion of Ireland in the late 12th century, many Anglo-Norman families settled in the country, adopting Gaelic surnames and customs. The FITZSIMMONS name is believed to have emerged during this period, as the FitzSimon family integrated into Irish society.

The name FITZSIMMONS can be traced back to County Meath, where the family held lands and were influential members of the local community. The Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle from the 17th century, mentions several FITZSIMMONS individuals who played significant roles in various conflicts and events.

One notable figure was Walter FITZSIMMONS (c. 1420 - c. 1480), a wealthy landowner and prominent member of the Irish parliament. He was involved in negotiations with the English Crown and played a crucial role in maintaining peace in the region.

In the 16th century, Sir Patrick FITZSIMMONS (c. 1535 - 1593) was a respected military leader and landowner in County Cavan. He was knighted for his service to the English Crown and his efforts in suppressing rebellions in Ireland.

Another historical figure was Edmund FITZSIMMONS (c. 1570 - 1642), a Catholic priest and scholar from County Westmeath. He studied in France and Italy and was known for his expertise in theology and canon law.

The FITZSIMMONS name has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Fitzsimons Park in County Dublin and Fitzsimons Wood in County Westmeath. These locations likely derived their names from the presence of FITZSIMMONS families in those areas.

Throughout history, several other individuals with the surname FITZSIMMONS have made notable contributions in various fields, including politics, academia, and the arts. While not an exhaustive list, these examples provide insights into the rich history and significance of this Irish surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fitzsimmons families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fitzsimmons 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. Lancashire leads with 335 Fitzsimmons' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.95x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 335 3.95x
Durham 48 2.26x
Cumberland 39 6.34x
Lanarkshire 38 1.64x
Cheshire 34 2.15x
Middlesex 33 0.46x
Ayrshire 31 5.79x
Yorkshire 31 0.44x
Isle of Man 24 18.08x
Fife 18 4.25x
Surrey 18 0.52x
Dunbartonshire 14 7.29x
Wigtownshire 12 12.64x
Midlothian 8 0.84x
Northumberland 8 0.75x
Renfrewshire 8 1.44x
Staffordshire 7 0.29x
Hertfordshire 6 1.22x
Angus 3 0.45x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 2.90x
Royal Navy 2 2.35x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.23x
Denbighshire 1 0.37x
Derbyshire 1 0.09x
Devon 1 0.07x
Dorset 1 0.21x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.63x
Essex 1 0.07x
Kent 1 0.04x
Norfolk 1 0.09x
Perthshire 1 0.31x
Stirlingshire 1 0.38x
Sussex 1 0.08x
Worcestershire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 61 Fitzsimmons' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.84x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 61 11.84x
Manchester 42 11.01x
West Derby 34 13.70x
Salford 28 11.22x
Toxteth Park 26 9.05x
Everton 22 8.14x
Kirkdale 22 15.41x
Govan 21 3.67x
Islington London 21 3.03x
Preston 16 7.05x
Cleator 15 58.55x
Onchan 14 36.60x
Leeds 13 3.25x
Southwark St George Martyr 12 8.34x
Auchterderran 11 103.38x
Brandon Byshottles 9 33.77x
Cumbernauld 9 85.47x
Glasgow 9 2.19x
Kirkmaiden 9 149.75x
German Peel 8 104.58x
Kilwinning 8 46.30x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 8 44.08x
Southwick 8 39.70x
Tanfield 8 31.62x
Barony 7 1.20x
Birkenhead 7 5.56x
Bootle Cum Linacre 7 10.39x
Bury 7 7.22x
Kirkmichael 7 143.44x
Preston Quarter 7 40.58x
Weetslade 7 376.34x
Cathcart 6 20.01x
Coylton 6 79.05x
Hulme 6 3.39x
Little Bolton 6 5.50x
Middlesbrough 6 6.50x
Sheffield 6 2.66x
South Leith 6 5.57x
Wigan 6 5.06x
Barrow In Furness 5 4.33x
Broughton In Salford 5 6.45x
Caldewgate 5 14.82x
Chester St Michael 5 268.82x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 3.71x
Crosscanonby 5 24.56x
Dumbarton 5 18.70x
Kirkcaldy 5 23.82x
St Pancras London 5 0.87x
Stockport 5 6.16x
Wolverhampton 5 2.69x
Dearham 4 49.26x
Lambeth 4 0.64x
Oldham 4 1.46x
St Quivox 4 22.11x
Tranmere 4 6.90x
Ardwick 3 3.92x
Barton Upon Irwell 3 4.70x
Bishop Auckland 3 10.51x
Bishopwearmouth 3 1.64x
Haswell 3 19.67x
Kirkcudbright 3 35.01x
Pendleton In Salford 3 2.97x
Rickmansworth 3 22.11x
Runcorn 3 8.24x
Straiton 3 98.68x
Stranton 3 4.19x
Sunderland 3 7.99x
Acton 2 4.77x
Blackburn 2 0.89x
Dundee 2 0.81x
Great Crosby 2 8.65x
Hartlepool 2 6.62x
Kirkcolm 2 43.96x
Litherland 2 11.27x
Newton 2 3.06x
Openshaw 2 5.03x
Royal Navy 2 2.75x
Scarborough 2 3.11x
Shipley 2 5.44x
Wemyss 2 11.17x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 58
Margaret 27
Sarah 22
Elizabeth 21
Ann 19
Catherine 10
Bridget 8
Eliza 7
Ellen 7
Jane 7
Esther 6
Alice 5
Anne 5
Annie 5
Kate 5
Emma 4
Isabella 4
Margt. 4
Rose 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Emily 3
Florence 3
Hannah 3
Louisa 3
Maria 3
Martha 3
Catharine 2
Cecilia 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Julia 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Winifred 2
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Blanch 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
E. 1
Eleanor 1
Eliz. 1
Infant 1
Janet 1
Janey 1
Julian 1
Leah 1
Lily 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 40
James 38
Thomas 26
William 21
Patrick 14
Michael 12
Henry 11
Charles 10
Joseph 9
Robert 9
Daniel 6
Peter 5
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Frederick 4
George 4
Hugh 4
Nicholas 4
Owen 4
Albert 3
Arthur 3
Christopher 3
Hy. 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
Archibald 2
Ernest 2
Geo. 2
Philip 2
Thos. 2
Anthony 1
Bartley 1
Bernard 1
Cornelius 1
Dennis 1
Fernce 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Louis 1
Luke 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Maurice 1
Michal 1
Phill 1
Rich. 1

FAQ

Fitzsimmons surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fitzsimmons surname in 1881?

In 1881, 707 people were recorded with the Fitzsimmons surname. That placed it at #5,139 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fitzsimmons surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,108 in 2016. That gives Fitzsimmons a modern rank of #2,172.

What does the Fitzsimmons surname mean?

An anglicized form of the Irish patronymic surname Mac Giolla Shím, meaning "son of the servant of Simon."

What does the Fitzsimmons map show?

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