NameCensus.

UK surname

Kimble

Derived from a place name meaning "royal fortress" in Old English, or from a diminutive of the given name Kim.

In the 1881 census there were 378 people recorded with the Kimble surname, ranking it #8,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 431, ranked #11,170, down from #8,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Hoggeston and Bowden, Little (incl. Little Oxenden). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torbay, Spelthorne and St. Helens.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kimble is 469 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.0%.

1881 census count

378

Ranked #8,288

Modern count

431

2016, ranked #11,170

Peak year

1911

469 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kimble had 378 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 431 in 2016, ranked #11,170.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 469 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kimble surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kimble surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kimble 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 219 #9,712
1861 historical 240 #10,226
1881 historical 378 #8,288
1891 historical 356 #9,697
1901 historical 423 #9,113
1911 historical 469 #8,232
1997 modern 437 #10,299
1998 modern 434 #10,694
1999 modern 437 #10,717
2000 modern 430 #10,804
2001 modern 415 #10,925
2002 modern 430 #10,840
2003 modern 414 #10,980
2004 modern 412 #11,029
2005 modern 391 #11,378
2006 modern 402 #11,213
2007 modern 398 #11,411
2008 modern 397 #11,556
2009 modern 403 #11,659
2010 modern 417 #11,606
2011 modern 420 #11,402
2012 modern 425 #11,157
2013 modern 431 #11,231
2014 modern 440 #11,107
2015 modern 440 #11,017
2016 modern 431 #11,170

Geography

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Where Kimbles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Hoggeston, Bowden, Little (incl. Little Oxenden) and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torbay, Spelthorne, St. Helens and Tendring. 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 1
2 Hoggeston Buckinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bowden, Little (incl. Little Oxenden) Leicestershire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torbay 017 Torbay
2 Spelthorne 002 Spelthorne
3 Torbay 018 Torbay
4 St. Helens 020 St. Helens
5 Tendring 003 Tendring

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kimble

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kimble

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

London Fringe

Within London, Kimble is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Kimble 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

Kimble 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 Kimble 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 Kimble, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kimble

The surname Kimble is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cymbel," meaning a small cymbal or a bell. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who were bell-ringers or involved in the production of bells.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kimble can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable reference is in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, compiled in 1273, where a person named Richard Kembell is mentioned. The variations in spelling, such as Kembell and Kembel, were common during that time period.

In the 15th century, the Kimble surname gained prominence in the county of Buckinghamshire, particularly in the village of Kimble, which likely contributed to the name's establishment. The village's name is thought to have originated from the Old English words "cymbel" and "hyll," meaning "bell hill" or "cymbal hill."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Kimble surname was John Kimble, who lived in the late 15th century and was a prominent landowner in Buckinghamshire. Another notable figure was Sir Henry Kimble, a distinguished soldier and military commander who served under King Henry VIII during the 16th century.

Moving forward to the 17th century, the Kimble surname continued to be prevalent in various parts of England. William Kimble, born in 1620, was a renowned scholar and theologian who authored several influential works on religion and philosophy.

In the 18th century, the Kimble family established a strong presence in the city of London. Edward Kimble, born in 1712, was a successful merchant and alderman who played a pivotal role in the city's governance and trade affairs.

During the 19th century, the Kimble surname gained recognition in the literary world. Elizabeth Kimble, born in 1825, was a celebrated poet and novelist whose works explored themes of love, nature, and social commentary.

As the centuries progressed, the Kimble surname continued to spread across various regions of England and, later, to other parts of the world through migration and exploration. Despite the variations in spelling and pronunciation, the name has maintained its distinctive origins and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kimble families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kimble 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. Buckinghamshire leads with 103 Kimbles recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.20x.

County Total Index
Buckinghamshire 103 46.20x
Middlesex 82 2.22x
Surrey 39 2.17x
Berkshire 28 10.12x
Devon 17 2.21x
Hampshire 16 2.12x
Kent 14 1.11x
Oxfordshire 14 6.15x
Northamptonshire 11 3.17x
Essex 8 1.10x
Glamorgan 8 1.25x
Warwickshire 8 0.86x
Yorkshire 7 0.19x
Staffordshire 4 0.32x
Cornwall 3 0.72x
Hertfordshire 3 1.18x
Sussex 3 0.48x
Gloucestershire 2 0.28x
Lancashire 2 0.05x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.40x
Bedfordshire 1 0.52x
Leicestershire 1 0.24x
Somerset 1 0.17x
Wiltshire 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hoggeston in Buckinghamshire leads with 39 Kimbles recorded in 1881 and an index of 17727.27x.

Place Total Index
Hoggeston 39 17727.27x
Islington London 17 4.76x
Paddington London 13 9.59x
Poplar London 12 17.24x
Andover 9 126.05x
Loughton 9 2195.12x
Lambeth 8 2.49x
Camberwell 7 2.97x
Cublington 7 2121.21x
Epsom 7 79.91x
Neath 7 53.60x
Northampton All Sts 7 59.47x
Portsea 7 4.73x
Shenley Brook End 7 2500.00x
Speen 7 154.53x
Watlington 7 300.43x
Wokingham 7 110.76x
Ashburton 6 163.49x
Bridestow 6 740.74x
Bromley London 6 7.40x
Clewer 6 52.91x
Egham 6 54.40x
Kensington London 6 2.93x
Lee 6 32.84x
North Marston 6 731.71x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 8.09x
Stretton On Foss 6 1224.49x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 5 14.69x
Clerkenwell London 5 5.74x
Harwich St Nicholas 5 88.97x
Little Marlow 5 406.50x
Sevenoaks 5 49.02x
Shenley Church End 5 2173.91x
Swanbourne 5 819.67x
Tottenham 5 8.51x
Turville 5 943.40x
Winslow 5 238.10x
Great Horwood 4 444.44x
Pyrton 4 563.38x
West Bromwich 4 5.61x
Bradwell 3 95.54x
Bray 3 36.90x
East Barnet 3 59.52x
Lostwithel 3 254.24x
St George Hanover Square 3 4.62x
St Marylebone London 3 1.52x
Barlavington 2 869.57x
Brentwood 2 45.05x
Britwell Salome 2 1000.00x
Chelsea London 2 1.80x
Cholsey 2 91.32x
Cookham 2 23.18x
Friern Barnet 2 24.63x
Great Oxendon 2 689.66x
Hampstead London 2 3.48x
Newington 2 1.47x
Quenington 2 416.67x
Shoreditch London 2 1.25x
Worksop 2 13.57x
Biggleswade 1 16.00x
Birmingham 1 0.32x
Cardiff St Mary 1 2.83x
Coppull 1 42.92x
Cuddington 1 144.93x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.03x
Farnham Royal 1 75.76x
Farnley In Bramley 1 21.93x
Harwick St Nicholas 1 86.96x
Hastings St Mary 1 6.46x
Ilfracombe 1 12.66x
Kingswear 1 161.29x
Leicester St Margaret 1 1.00x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 6.44x
Minster In Sheppey 1 4.80x
Naseby 1 129.87x
Oxford All Sts 1 204.08x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.69x
Reading St Mary 1 4.51x
St Martin In Fields 1 4.53x
Westminster St John 1 2.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 25
Elizabeth 15
Sarah 14
Alice 11
Ann 7
Eliza 7
Emily 6
Charlotte 5
Jane 5
Martha 5
Ada 4
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Edith 4
Ellen 4
Emma 4
Fanny 4
Maria 4
Frances 3
Jessie 3
Rebecca 3
Bertha 2
Florence 2
Gertrude 2
Harriet 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Lydia 2
Sophia 2
Agnes 1
Bessie 1
Catharine 1
Catherine 1
Celia 1
E. 1
Eliz. 1
Ethell 1
Flora 1
Florance 1
Hannah 1
Henrietta 1
Jesse 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Lettia 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Lousia 1
Mabel 1
Thomasina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
George 17
John 14
James 12
Thomas 10
Charles 9
Arthur 8
Henry 8
Walter 7
Joseph 6
Alfred 5
Frederick 5
Harry 5
Albert 4
Richard 4
Edward 3
Levi 3
Robert 3
Benjamin 2
Jesse 2
Nathan 2
Samuel 2
Bertie 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Emmanuel 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.S. 1
Hampden 1
Henery 1
Horace 1
Job 1
Josiah 1
Mark 1
Napoleon 1
Newman 1
Percy 1
R. 1
Richd. 1
Robt. 1
Saml. 1
Silvainos 1
Watkin 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Kimble surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kimble surname in 1881?

In 1881, 378 people were recorded with the Kimble surname. That placed it at #8,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kimble surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 431 in 2016. That gives Kimble a modern rank of #11,170.

What does the Kimble surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "royal fortress" in Old English, or from a diminutive of the given name Kim.

What does the Kimble map show?

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