NameCensus.

UK surname

Gimson

A patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of the given name Gim, a variant of James.

In the 1881 census there were 274 people recorded with the Gimson surname, ranking it #10,362 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 335, ranked #13,611, down from #10,362 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North West Leicestershire, Sefton and Powys.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gimson is 415 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.3%.

1881 census count

274

Ranked #10,362

Modern count

335

2016, ranked #13,611

Peak year

1911

415 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gimson had 274 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,362 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 335 in 2016, ranked #13,611.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 415 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gimson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gimson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gimson 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 210 #10,030
1861 historical 166 #14,039
1881 historical 274 #10,362
1891 historical 297 #11,192
1901 historical 302 #11,592
1911 historical 415 #9,049
1997 modern 370 #11,666
1998 modern 383 #11,748
1999 modern 377 #11,954
2000 modern 366 #12,167
2001 modern 363 #12,057
2002 modern 360 #12,360
2003 modern 356 #12,258
2004 modern 346 #12,544
2005 modern 330 #12,939
2006 modern 327 #13,092
2007 modern 341 #12,840
2008 modern 342 #12,933
2009 modern 348 #13,020
2010 modern 355 #13,099
2011 modern 341 #13,341
2012 modern 333 #13,468
2013 modern 362 #12,843
2014 modern 359 #13,025
2015 modern 342 #13,396
2016 modern 335 #13,611

Geography

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Where Gimsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Loughborough and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North West Leicestershire, Sefton, Powys and East Cambridgeshire. 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 Narborough (Narborough), Cosby with Little Thorpe Leicestershire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Loughborough Leicestershire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North West Leicestershire 013 North West Leicestershire
2 Sefton 021 Sefton
3 Powys 013 Powys
4 East Cambridgeshire 009 East Cambridgeshire
5 North West Leicestershire 010 North West Leicestershire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gimson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gimson

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Gimson is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gimson 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

Gimson falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gimson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gimson

The surname Gimson originated in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Germanic personal name "Gismund" or "Gismond," which means "bright protection" or "bright battle." The name may have also been influenced by the Old English word "gīman," meaning "to take care of" or "to protect."

One of the earliest known references to the name Gimson can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1273, which lists a William Gimmeson. This suggests that the name may have initially been a patronymic, meaning "son of Gimme" or "son of Gim."

The Gimson surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire during the medieval period. Several variations of the spelling existed, including Gimmeson, Gymson, and Gympson.

In the 16th century, the Gimson family held lands in the parish of Treswell, Nottinghamshire. A notable figure from this lineage was William Gimson (1508-1588), who served as the rector of Treswell and was a prominent clergyman in the region.

Another historical figure bearing the surname was John Gimson (1592-1654), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Nottinghamshire. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, providing financial support to the Parliamentarian cause.

During the 17th century, the Gimson family established a presence in London. One member, Thomas Gimson (1628-1692), was a successful merchant and served as the Master of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in 1680.

In the 18th century, the name Gimson gained recognition through the work of Samuel Gimson (1718-1785), a renowned clockmaker from Lincolnshire. His clocks were highly prized for their craftsmanship and can be found in museums and private collections today.

Another notable Gimson was Josiah Gimson (1794-1876), a prominent architect from Nottinghamshire. He designed several churches and public buildings in the region, including the Nottingham Mechanics' Institution and the Nottingham Theatre Royal.

As the centuries progressed, the Gimson surname spread across England and beyond, with individuals bearing the name making significant contributions in various fields, including literature, art, and science.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gimson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gimson 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. Leicestershire leads with 119 Gimsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.16x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 119 40.16x
Surrey 24 1.84x
Nottinghamshire 21 5.83x
Middlesex 20 0.75x
Kent 11 1.21x
Essex 10 1.90x
Gloucestershire 9 1.72x
Lancashire 8 0.25x
Sussex 8 1.78x
Cambridgeshire 7 4.13x
Staffordshire 7 0.78x
Worcestershire 6 1.72x
Yorkshire 5 0.19x
Berkshire 4 1.99x
Hertfordshire 4 2.17x
Warwickshire 4 0.59x
Norfolk 3 0.73x
Derbyshire 1 0.24x
Hampshire 1 0.18x
Northamptonshire 1 0.40x
West Lothian 1 2.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester St Margaret in Leicestershire leads with 29 Gimsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.13x.

Place Total Index
Leicester St Margaret 29 40.13x
Leicester St Mary 14 58.48x
Sheepshed 14 344.83x
Cosby 12 1304.35x
Loughborough 12 89.22x
Bromley 10 71.94x
Snenton 9 63.60x
Bermondsey 8 10.05x
Ashby De La Zouch 7 101.89x
Chipping Campden 7 409.36x
Lambeth 7 3.00x
Ore 7 208.96x
Witham 7 257.35x
Branstone 6 659.34x
Burton On The Wolds 6 1818.18x
Stoke Prior 6 279.07x
Belgrave 5 74.74x
Epsom 5 78.74x
Hinckley 5 71.12x
Spitalfields London 5 24.88x
Nottingham St Peter 4 99.50x
Salford 4 4.29x
Streatley 4 677.97x
Tottenham 4 9.40x
Whetstone 4 366.97x
Drighlington 3 77.72x
Great Yarmouth 3 8.81x
Hackney London 3 2.00x
Knowle 3 215.83x
March 3 52.91x
Poplar London 3 5.95x
Royston 3 191.08x
St Pancras London 3 1.39x
Bulwell 2 25.54x
Camberwell 2 1.17x
Clipstone 2 740.74x
Dishley Cum Thorpacre 2 1052.63x
Great Crosby 2 23.12x
Hugglescote 2 45.87x
Kibworth Beauchamp 2 194.17x
Knighton 2 119.76x
Leicester All Sts 2 34.36x
Linton 2 124.22x
Mirfield 2 13.76x
Nottingham St Mary 2 2.15x
West Ham 2 1.72x
Aston 1 0.54x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 4.19x
Burton Upon Trent 1 4.74x
Cheltenham 1 2.47x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.59x
Codicote 1 90.91x
Earls Colne 1 68.49x
Hastings St Mary 1 8.92x
Holdenhurst 1 6.96x
Horton Kirby 1 70.92x
Ickleton 1 163.93x
Liverpool 1 0.52x
Lower Swell 1 270.27x
Lullington 1 147.06x
Narborough 1 123.46x
Penge 1 5.86x
Radford 1 5.46x
South Muskham 1 454.55x
St Andrewthe Less 1 5.17x
St Luke London 1 2.33x
Uphall 1 22.57x
Wandsworth 1 3.89x
Welford 1 117.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 21
John 17
George 9
Thomas 8
Joseph 6
Charles 4
Henry 4
Josiah 4
Robert 4
Arthur 3
Ernest 3
Samuel 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Frederick 2
Percy 2
Richard 2
Alfred 1
Claude 1
Cornelius 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Elias 1
Felix 1
Herbert 1
Infant 1
Jas. 1
Jno.Hy. 1
Joe 1
Josh. 1
Karl 1
Leonard 1
Luke 1
Reuben 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1
Zadok 1

FAQ

Gimson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gimson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 274 people were recorded with the Gimson surname. That placed it at #10,362 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gimson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 335 in 2016. That gives Gimson a modern rank of #13,611.

What does the Gimson surname mean?

A patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of the given name Gim, a variant of James.

What does the Gimson map show?

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