NameCensus.

UK surname

Hams

A surname potentially derived from a place name or an occupation related to the curing of pork.

In the 1881 census there were 170 people recorded with the Hams surname, ranking it #14,265 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 245, ranked #17,049, down from #14,265 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stanton St Bernard, Melksham and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Test Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hams is 502 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 44.1%.

1881 census count

170

Ranked #14,265

Modern count

245

2016, ranked #17,049

Peak year

1861

502 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hams had 170 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,265 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 245 in 2016, ranked #17,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 502 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hams surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hams surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hams 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 213 #9,934
1861 historical 502 #5,207
1881 historical 170 #14,265
1891 historical 342 #10,023
1901 historical 231 #13,805
1911 historical 267 #12,360
1997 modern 275 #14,335
1998 modern 250 #15,675
1999 modern 239 #16,268
2000 modern 236 #16,380
2001 modern 230 #16,415
2002 modern 247 #15,941
2003 modern 236 #16,236
2004 modern 238 #16,242
2005 modern 213 #17,435
2006 modern 222 #17,092
2007 modern 220 #17,377
2008 modern 229 #17,092
2009 modern 240 #16,896
2010 modern 235 #17,477
2011 modern 232 #17,481
2012 modern 228 #17,584
2013 modern 247 #16,935
2014 modern 251 #16,865
2015 modern 249 #16,858
2016 modern 245 #17,049

Geography

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Where Hams' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stanton St Bernard, Melksham, London parishes, Challock and Hawkinge, Folkestone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Test Valley. 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 Stanton St Bernard Wiltshire
2 Melksham Wiltshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Challock Kent
5 Hawkinge, Folkestone Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 025 Wiltshire
2 Rhondda Cynon Taf 023 Rhondda Cynon Taf
3 Wiltshire 028 Wiltshire
4 Test Valley 006 Test Valley
5 Test Valley 008 Test Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hams

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hams

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Hams is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Hams is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hams falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Hams

The surname HAMS has its origins in England, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ham," which referred to a homestead or a village. This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive one, given to those who lived in a particular hamlet or village.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name HAMS can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property rights commissioned by William the Conqueror. This indicates that the name was already established in England by the late 11th century.

During the medieval period, the name HAMS appeared in various forms, such as "Hamme," "Hammes," and "Hams," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common at the time. These alternative spellings often corresponded to different regions or local dialects within England.

Some notable individuals bearing the surname HAMS throughout history include Sir John Hams (1556-1629), an English merchant and member of the East India Company. Another prominent figure was Richard Hams (1633-1696), a renowned architect and surveyor who worked on several prestigious projects, including the reconstruction of St. Paul's Cathedral in London after the Great Fire of 1666.

In the 18th century, the HAMS surname gained further prominence with the birth of William Hams (1742-1819), a renowned clockmaker and inventor from London. His innovative designs and contributions to the field of horology earned him widespread recognition during his lifetime.

Moving into the 19th century, James Hams (1804-1872) was a notable English painter and illustrator, known for his landscapes and depictions of rural life. His works were widely exhibited and appreciated during the Victorian era.

Another individual of note was Elizabeth Hams (1861-1934), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She played a significant role in establishing educational opportunities for women and promoting gender equality in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Throughout its history, the surname HAMS has been associated with various locations and place names in England, such as Hamstead, Hamworth, and Hammersmith, reflecting the geographic origins and migrations of families bearing this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hams families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hams 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. Wiltshire leads with 62 Hams' recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.28x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 62 42.28x
Kent 44 7.78x
Middlesex 15 0.90x
Somerset 12 4.50x
Surrey 10 1.24x
Staffordshire 7 1.25x
Hampshire 4 1.18x
Gloucestershire 3 0.92x
Lancashire 3 0.15x
Warwickshire 2 0.48x
Yorkshire 2 0.12x
Berkshire 1 0.80x
Devon 1 0.29x
Dorset 1 0.92x
Leicestershire 1 0.54x
Northumberland 1 0.41x
Shropshire 1 0.70x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alton Barnes in Wiltshire leads with 14 Hams' recorded in 1881 and an index of 15555.56x.

Place Total Index
Alton Barnes 14 15555.56x
Folkestone 14 127.62x
Frome 9 141.07x
Stanton St Bernard 9 4736.84x
Woodborough 8 3478.26x
Patney 7 8750.00x
Boughton Under Blean 6 631.58x
Godmersham 6 3000.00x
Hammersmith London 6 14.69x
Netheravon 6 1818.18x
Challock 5 2500.00x
Clapham 5 24.12x
Lambeth 5 3.46x
Tutbury 5 367.65x
Alton Priors 4 3636.36x
Ashford 4 72.60x
Devizes St Mary 4 270.27x
Bristol St Paul In 3 34.64x
Chilham 3 370.37x
Limehouse London 3 16.48x
St Pancras London 3 2.25x
Stretford 3 27.70x
Birmingham 2 1.44x
Broughton Gifford 2 571.43x
Burley 2 555.56x
Chippenham 2 64.94x
Codsall 2 250.00x
Durrington 2 909.09x
Eling 2 58.14x
Halstead 2 740.74x
Kilmersdon 2 151.52x
Mile End Old Town London 2 5.67x
Sellinge 2 540.54x
Trowbridge 2 30.86x
Bray 1 27.32x
Compton 1 434.78x
Frindsbury 1 46.95x
Islington London 1 0.62x
Leeds 1 1.08x
Leicester St Margaret 1 2.23x
Maidstone 1 5.93x
Melcombe Regis 1 22.17x
Nether Hallam 1 4.50x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 30.86x
Pewsey 1 92.59x
Preshute 1 111.11x
Shrewsbury St Mary 1 17.70x
South Brent 1 222.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 8
Mary 8
Jane 7
Ann 5
Martha 5
Alice 4
Emily 4
Maria 4
Sarah 4
Charlotte 3
Eliza 3
Annie 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Ruth 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Betsey 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Faby 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Helen 1
Infant 1
Julia 1
Lavinia 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Mercy 1
Rachael 1
Rebecca 1
Rosa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
James 8
John 6
George 5
Henry 5
Albert 4
Charles 4
Alfred 3
Joseph 3
David 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Richard 2
Thomas 2
Abraham 1
Arthur 1
August 1
Chas. 1
Edward 1
Felix 1
Frederick 1
Fredric 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Geo.Potts 1
Harry 1
Hugh 1
Job 1
Philip 1
Stephen 1
Steven 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Hams surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hams surname in 1881?

In 1881, 170 people were recorded with the Hams surname. That placed it at #14,265 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hams surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 245 in 2016. That gives Hams a modern rank of #17,049.

What does the Hams surname mean?

A surname potentially derived from a place name or an occupation related to the curing of pork.

What does the Hams map show?

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