NameCensus.

UK surname

Harmes

A surname alluding to someone who causes or inflicts harm or injury.

In the 1881 census there were 191 people recorded with the Harmes surname, ranking it #13,224 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 449, ranked #10,816, up from #13,224 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Acton, Hurstpierpoint and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Spelthorne, Mid Sussex and Flintshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harmes is 502 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 135.1%.

1881 census count

191

Ranked #13,224

Modern count

449

2016, ranked #10,816

Peak year

2010

502 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Harmes had 191 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,224 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 449 in 2016, ranked #10,816.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 401 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Harmes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Harmes surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Harmes 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 192 #10,756
1861 historical 134 #16,754
1881 historical 191 #13,224
1891 historical 245 #12,950
1901 historical 310 #11,393
1911 historical 401 #9,262
1997 modern 434 #10,361
1998 modern 451 #10,393
1999 modern 447 #10,497
2000 modern 456 #10,321
2001 modern 452 #10,192
2002 modern 476 #9,999
2003 modern 461 #10,072
2004 modern 462 #10,092
2005 modern 466 #9,935
2006 modern 458 #10,109
2007 modern 463 #10,130
2008 modern 467 #10,146
2009 modern 473 #10,269
2010 modern 502 #10,029
2011 modern 492 #10,072
2012 modern 483 #10,116
2013 modern 479 #10,343
2014 modern 469 #10,570
2015 modern 456 #10,715
2016 modern 449 #10,816

Geography

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Where Harmes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Acton, Hurstpierpoint, London parishes and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Spelthorne, Mid Sussex and Flintshire. 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 Acton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Hurstpierpoint Sussex
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Spelthorne 002 Spelthorne
2 Mid Sussex 013 Mid Sussex
3 Spelthorne 007 Spelthorne
4 Flintshire 001 Flintshire
5 Flintshire 004 Flintshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Harmes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Harmes

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Harmes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Harmes household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Harmes 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

Harmes is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Harmes falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Harmes

The surname HARMES originated in England during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "hærm," meaning harm or injury, which suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who had suffered harm or injury in some way. Alternatively, it could have been a descriptive name for someone with a hostile or violent nature.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a person named Willelmus Harm is recorded. This early spelling variation highlights the name's evolution from its Old English roots.

By the 13th century, the surname had spread across various regions of England, appearing in records such as the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire from 1273, where a Hugo Harme is mentioned. This document also references a place called Harmes in Buckinghamshire, suggesting a possible connection between the surname and a location.

In the 14th century, the Harmes surname appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a John Harmes is listed as a taxpayer. This record provides evidence of the surname's continued use and spread throughout different parts of England.

One notable figure bearing the Harmes surname was Sir John Harmes, a wealthy merchant and alderman from London who lived during the late 16th century. Born in 1549, he served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1585 and played a significant role in the city's governance and trade affairs.

Another individual of note was Thomas Harmes, a renowned botanist and horticulturist from the 17th century. Born in 1630 in Buckinghamshire, he was instrumental in introducing and cultivating various plant species, contributing significantly to the development of horticulture in England.

In the 18th century, the Harmes surname gained prominence through the work of Samuel Harmes, a respected scholar and clergyman born in 1704. He authored several theological works and served as the rector of various parishes in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

The 19th century saw the rise of William Harmes, a prominent architect born in 1820 in Dorset. He designed numerous notable buildings, including churches and public structures, and was celebrated for his contributions to the Gothic Revival architectural style.

Last but not least, Edward Harmes, born in 1877 in Yorkshire, was a pioneering aviator and engineer. He played a crucial role in the early development of aircraft design and is credited with several innovative advancements in the field of aviation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Harmes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harmes 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. Sussex leads with 54 Harmes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.19x.

County Total Index
Sussex 54 17.19x
Surrey 42 4.63x
Middlesex 39 2.09x
Essex 10 2.72x
Kent 8 1.26x
Devon 6 1.55x
Somerset 6 2.00x
Hampshire 5 1.31x
Worcestershire 5 2.06x
Midlothian 4 1.60x
Staffordshire 3 0.48x
Cambridgeshire 2 1.69x
Norfolk 2 0.70x
Yorkshire 2 0.11x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.89x
Lancashire 1 0.05x
Warwickshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 24 Harmes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.87x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 24 37.87x
Kingston On Thames 14 64.19x
Hammersmith London 11 23.97x
Cuckfield 8 252.37x
Ashford 7 476.19x
Preston 7 127.74x
Theydon Bois 7 1250.00x
Chertsey 6 102.21x
Hanworth 6 923.08x
Ilfracombe 6 150.38x
Lydeard St Lawrence 6 1764.71x
Shipley 6 845.07x
Acton 5 45.79x
Dorking 5 81.97x
Putney 5 58.89x
Croydon 4 7.94x
Hurstpierpoint 4 228.57x
Northfield 4 86.58x
Richmond 4 31.45x
Chilham 3 333.33x
Dunsfold 3 612.24x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 2.99x
Portsea 3 4.01x
Sedgley 3 12.84x
Blakeney 2 392.16x
Broadwater 2 27.78x
Foulmire 2 571.43x
Greenwich 2 6.74x
Islington London 2 1.11x
New Brentford 2 204.08x
Newtimber 2 1428.57x
Ryde 2 24.39x
Skircoat 2 27.47x
South Weald 2 63.49x
Battersea 1 1.46x
Beddingham 1 344.83x
Bushley 1 555.56x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 15.08x
Coventry St Michael 1 6.63x
Deptford St Paul 1 2.04x
Everton 1 1.42x
Hackney London 1 0.96x
Hampton London 1 32.68x
Isleworth 1 12.08x
Lambourne 1 181.82x
Lewisham 1 2.95x
Queensferry 1 400.00x
St Marylebone London 1 1.01x
Stoke Newington London 1 6.89x
Weston Underwood 1 454.55x
Willesden 1 5.69x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Elizabeth 7
Ellen 7
Fanny 6
Alice 4
Emma 4
Caroline 3
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Annie 2
Charlotte 2
Emily 2
Jane 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Rose 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Ada 1
Angelina 1
Bella 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Kate 1
Lilly 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Phillis 1
Rosenia 1
Susan 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 10
William 10
Edward 8
John 8
James 7
Henry 6
Thomas 6
Richard 5
Charles 4
Robert 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Herbert 3
Arthur 2
Ernest 2
Harry 2
Amos 1
Andrew 1
David 1
Frank 1
Fredric 1
Guy 1
Joseph 1
Oscar 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Willie 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Harmes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Harmes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 191 people were recorded with the Harmes surname. That placed it at #13,224 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Harmes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 449 in 2016. That gives Harmes a modern rank of #10,816.

What does the Harmes surname mean?

A surname alluding to someone who causes or inflicts harm or injury.

What does the Harmes map show?

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