NameCensus.

UK surname

Nam

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Nan, meaning "south" or referring to someone from the south.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Nam surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 214, ranked #18,740, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kingston upon Thames, Kirklees and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nam is 214 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10600.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

214

2016, ranked #18,740

Peak year

2016

214 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nam had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 214 in 2016, ranked #18,740.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Nam surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nam surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nam 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 8 #31,867
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 91 #28,215
1998 modern 98 #27,923
1999 modern 103 #27,305
2000 modern 116 #25,452
2001 modern 105 #26,620
2002 modern 111 #26,291
2003 modern 114 #25,664
2004 modern 119 #25,200
2005 modern 139 #22,887
2006 modern 131 #23,942
2007 modern 137 #23,590
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 148 #23,141
2010 modern 154 #23,082
2011 modern 157 #22,574
2012 modern 175 #20,984
2013 modern 189 #20,273
2014 modern 200 #19,713
2015 modern 201 #19,494
2016 modern 214 #18,740

Geography

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Where Nams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kingston upon Thames, Kirklees, Wakefield and North Kesteven. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kingston upon Thames 012 Kingston upon Thames
2 Kirklees 005 Kirklees
3 Kingston upon Thames 006 Kingston upon Thames
4 Wakefield 039 Wakefield
5 North Kesteven 014 North Kesteven

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nam

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nam

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Nam surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Nam 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Nam 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

Nam is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Nam falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nam is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Nam

The surname "Nam" has its origins in Vietnam, where it can be traced back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Vietnamese word "nam," meaning "south," and was likely a descriptive name given to someone who lived in or came from the southern regions of the country.

In ancient Vietnamese records, the name "Nam" appears in various forms, such as "Nam Viet" and "Nam Quoc," both of which refer to the southern regions of what is now modern-day Vietnam. The earliest known reference to the surname "Nam" dates back to the 16th century, when it was mentioned in a Vietnamese historical text called "Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "Nam" was Nguyen Nam, a Vietnamese scholar and poet who lived in the 17th century (1628-1687). He was renowned for his contributions to Vietnamese literature and his philosophical works.

Another notable figure with the surname "Nam" was Tran Nam, a Vietnamese general who played a crucial role in the Tay Son Rebellion of the late 18th century (1771-1802). He was instrumental in leading the rebel forces against the Nguyen lords and helped establish the Tay Son Dynasty, albeit briefly.

In the 19th century, Pham Nam Sach (1832-1902) was a prominent Vietnamese scholar and educator who advocated for educational reforms and the modernization of Vietnam's education system.

During the 20th century, Vo Nam (1890-1951) was a Vietnamese writer and journalist who played an influential role in the development of modern Vietnamese literature. He is particularly known for his works that explored the social and cultural changes in Vietnam during the colonial period.

More recently, Nam June Paik (1932-2006), a Korean-American artist, is widely regarded as a pioneer of video art and is credited with coining the term "electronic superhighway" to describe the global network of communication and information exchange.

While the surname "Nam" has its roots in Vietnam, it has spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and connection to the southern regions of Vietnam remain an integral part of its etymology.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nam families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nam 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. Surrey leads with 1 Nams recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.65x.

County Total Index
Surrey 1 10.65x
Wiltshire 1 58.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Easton in Wiltshire leads with 1 Nams recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Easton 1 0.00x
Lambeth 1 59.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Fanny 1

FAQ

Nam surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nam surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Nam surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nam surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 214 in 2016. That gives Nam a modern rank of #18,740.

What does the Nam surname mean?

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Nan, meaning "south" or referring to someone from the south.

What does the Nam map show?

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