UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from a place name or related to the occupation of ridge-maker.
In the 1881 census there were 35 people recorded with the Kimmer surname, ranking it #28,715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 30, ranked #35,997, down from #28,715 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Croston, North Meols and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kimmer is 153 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 14.3%.
1881 census count
35
Ranked #28,715
Modern count
30
2016, ranked #35,997
Peak year
1891
153 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kimmer surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kimmer surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 19 | #29,904 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 35 | #28,715 |
| 1891 | historical | 153 | #18,078 |
| 1901 | historical | 47 | #28,929 |
| 1911 | historical | 91 | #23,684 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 31 | #34,821 |
| 2000 | modern | 32 | #34,705 |
| 2001 | modern | 35 | #34,261 |
| 2002 | modern | 37 | #34,390 |
| 2003 | modern | 34 | #34,681 |
| 2004 | modern | 26 | #35,519 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 33 | #35,329 |
| 2007 | modern | 32 | #35,530 |
| 2008 | modern | 31 | #35,670 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 32 | #35,848 |
| 2011 | modern | 33 | #35,777 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 28 | #36,107 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 30 | #35,997 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Croston, North Meols, Toxteth Park, Blewberry and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croston | Lancashire |
| 2 | North Meols | Lancashire |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Blewberry | Berkshire |
| 5 | West Derby | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kimmer surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kimmer, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Kimmer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kimmer household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Kimmer is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kimmer is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kimmer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname KIMMER is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "cymera," which means a vessel or cup. It is believed to have originated in the 13th century as an occupational name for a maker or seller of cups or other vessels.
The earliest known record of the name KIMMER can be traced back to the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Robertus le Kymere." This entry suggests that the name was initially used as a descriptive surname, referring to a person's occupation or trade.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1327, where it was spelled "Kymmer." This spelling variation demonstrates the inconsistencies in recording surnames during that time period.
One notable historical figure with the surname KIMMER was Sir John Kimmer (1510-1579), who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1572. His family's coat of arms featured three cups, further reinforcing the connection between the name and the occupation of cup-making.
Another prominent individual bearing this surname was William Kimmer (1642-1718), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the headmaster of Tiverton Grammar School in Devon. He was known for his contributions to education and his publications on classical literature.
In the 17th century, the surname KIMMER was also found in parish records from various regions of England, such as Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Yorkshire. This suggests that the name had spread across different parts of the country by that time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name KIMMER in a place name was Kimmerston, a small village in Wiltshire, England. The name likely derived from a combination of the surname and the Old English word "tun," meaning a farm or settlement.
Another noteworthy figure was Sir Thomas Kimmer (1688-1756), a British politician and Member of Parliament for the borough of Taunton. He played an active role in the political affairs of his time and was known for his support of the Whig party.
Throughout its history, the surname KIMMER has maintained its connection to the occupation of cup-making or vessel-making, although its modern bearers may have diverse professions and backgrounds. The name's etymology and early records provide a glimpse into the lives and trades of those who carried it centuries ago.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kimmer surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 10 Kimmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.47x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 10 | 2.47x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 2.05x |
| Sussex | 5 | 8.69x |
| Denbighshire | 4 | 31.03x |
| Wiltshire | 4 | 13.25x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 3.90x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.41x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 3.39x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.82x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.60x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 6 Kimmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.14x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 6 | 18.14x |
| Barton Upon Irwell | 5 | 163.93x |
| Rotherfield | 5 | 980.39x |
| Llanrhaiadr In Kinmerch | 4 | 2000.00x |
| West Overton | 4 | 5000.00x |
| West Derby | 3 | 25.32x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 2 | 22.60x |
| Chertsey | 1 | 93.46x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 20.20x |
| Ilfracombe | 1 | 136.99x |
| Ludlow St Lawrence | 1 | 169.49x |
| Walcot | 1 | 34.13x |
| Yattendon | 1 | 2500.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kimmer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kimmer surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kimmer households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Cotton Reeler | 2 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Car Driver | 1 |
| Decorator | 1 |
| Drawer Out Iron | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Gamekeeper | 1 |
| Gamekeeper Son | 1 |
| Gamekeeper Wife | 1 |
| Greengrocer | 1 |
| House Maid | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Inmate | 1 |
| Land Surveyor | 1 |
| Monthly Nurse (...) | 1 |
| N K | 1 |
| Roving Tenter In Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Sawyers Daur | 1 |
| Sculptor | 1 |
| Shepherd | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 35 people were recorded with the Kimmer surname. That placed it at #28,715 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 30 in 2016. That gives Kimmer a modern rank of #35,997.
A Scottish surname derived from a place name or related to the occupation of ridge-maker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kimmer bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.