NameCensus.

UK surname

Nelms

Derived from a place name meaning "at the elms" in Old English, referring to someone living near elm trees.

In the 1881 census there were 184 people recorded with the Nelms surname, ranking it #13,551 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 243, ranked #17,131, down from #13,551 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ickford, Waterstock, Abson with Wick and Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset, South Oxfordshire and Aylesbury Vale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nelms is 315 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.1%.

1881 census count

184

Ranked #13,551

Modern count

243

2016, ranked #17,131

Peak year

1911

315 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nelms had 184 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,551 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 243 in 2016, ranked #17,131.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 315 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Nelms surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nelms surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nelms 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 248 #8,840
1861 historical 180 #13,057
1881 historical 184 #13,551
1891 historical 257 #12,476
1901 historical 242 #13,392
1911 historical 315 #11,050
1997 modern 236 #15,852
1998 modern 259 #15,320
1999 modern 269 #15,040
2000 modern 261 #15,314
2001 modern 259 #15,151
2002 modern 270 #15,010
2003 modern 256 #15,377
2004 modern 245 #15,894
2005 modern 239 #16,144
2006 modern 237 #16,334
2007 modern 241 #16,341
2008 modern 243 #16,397
2009 modern 241 #16,848
2010 modern 248 #16,886
2011 modern 236 #17,279
2012 modern 236 #17,187
2013 modern 245 #17,025
2014 modern 246 #17,079
2015 modern 242 #17,191
2016 modern 243 #17,131

Geography

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Where Nelms' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ickford, Waterstock, Abson with Wick, Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean, London parishes and East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset, South Oxfordshire, Aylesbury Vale, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bedford. 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 Ickford, Waterstock Oxfordshire
2 Abson with Wick Gloucestershire
3 Newland (Bream, Clearwell, Newland, Coleford), West Dean Monmouthshire
4 London parishes London 1
5 East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 017 South Somerset
2 South Oxfordshire 001 South Oxfordshire
3 Aylesbury Vale 023 Aylesbury Vale
4 Rhondda Cynon Taf 021 Rhondda Cynon Taf
5 Bedford 003 Bedford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nelms

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nelms

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Nelms surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Nelms household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Nelms 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

Nelms is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Nelms falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nelms 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Nelms

The surname Nelms is believed to have originated in England, likely in the Middle Ages. It is thought to be a variant of the surname Nelme or Nelm, which derived from the Old English word "nelm," meaning "cloud" or "mist." This suggests that the name may have been a descriptive nickname given to someone who lived in a misty or cloudy area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nelms can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where a William Nelme is listed. The surname also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, indicating its presence in different regions of England during this time period.

In the 14th century, the name Nelms was sometimes spelled as Nelme or Nelm, reflecting its origins. For example, in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1380, a John Nelme is mentioned.

The surname Nelms has also been associated with various place names, such as Nelmeswell in Sussex, which was recorded in the 13th century as "Nelmesmelle." This suggests that some individuals with the surname may have taken their name from the place where they lived or originated.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Nelms. One example is Thomas Nelms (c. 1580-1640), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of Waltham St. Lawrence in Berkshire. Another is William Nelms (1667-1735), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the early 18th century.

In the 19th century, John Nelms (1817-1887) was an English businessman and philanthropist who founded the Nelms Institute in Burnley, Lancashire, which provided educational opportunities for working-class individuals. Edward Nelms (1857-1933) was a prominent British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Nelms Building on Holborn Viaduct.

Another noteworthy individual was Mary Nelms (1891-1977), an American writer and journalist who authored several books on Southern culture and history. She was also a contributor to various publications, including the Saturday Evening Post and the Atlanta Constitution.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nelms families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nelms 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. Gloucestershire leads with 51 Nelms' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.49x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 51 14.49x
Buckinghamshire 29 26.73x
Oxfordshire 24 21.65x
Monmouthshire 21 16.18x
Lancashire 14 0.66x
Middlesex 14 0.78x
Herefordshire 6 8.15x
Staffordshire 5 0.83x
Kent 4 0.65x
Surrey 4 0.46x
Hampshire 3 0.82x
Essex 2 0.56x
Sussex 2 0.66x
Warwickshire 2 0.44x
Berkshire 1 0.74x
Glamorgan 1 0.32x
Lincolnshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Shabbington in Buckinghamshire leads with 14 Nelms' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6363.64x.

Place Total Index
Shabbington 14 6363.64x
Towersey 13 5909.09x
Llanover 12 270.88x
Thame 10 495.05x
Ickford 9 3913.04x
Lydney 9 494.51x
West Dean 9 157.34x
Panteg 8 392.16x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 7 21.12x
Westbury On Severn 7 503.60x
Heaton Norris 6 49.51x
Islington London 5 2.87x
Rusholme 4 70.42x
Westbury On Severn East 4 50.25x
Wick Abson 4 740.74x
Dormington 3 4285.71x
St Marylebone London 3 3.13x
Walton On Thames 3 74.63x
Westminster St 3 45.32x
Woodstock 3 428.57x
Aldershot 2 16.23x
Aston 2 1.60x
Berkeley 2 102.04x
Brighton 2 3.28x
Cannock 2 18.92x
Deptford St Paul 2 4.23x
Harrow On The Hill 2 55.71x
Hulme 2 4.50x
Long Crendon 2 273.97x
Longhope 2 333.33x
Shareshill Hilton 2 833.33x
West Ham 2 2.56x
Aberdare 1 4.66x
Arlingham 1 256.41x
Boulstone 1 3333.33x
Bristol St George 1 6.14x
Bromley London 1 2.53x
Chatham 1 5.93x
Gloucester St John Baptist 1 44.05x
Gloucester St Owen 1 256.41x
Llanvihangel Llantarnam 1 40.49x
Lyonshall 1 188.68x
Milton In Gravesend 1 10.89x
Norton 1 370.37x
Oxford St Giles 1 18.90x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 1 76.34x
Portsmouth 1 11.81x
Spittlegate 1 25.19x
Stoke Gifford 1 476.19x
Streatham 1 7.51x
Upton 1 400.00x
Wardleworth 1 8.22x
West Bromwich 1 2.88x
West Derby 1 1.60x
Whitchurch 1 222.22x
Woolaston 1 188.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Elizabeth 7
Eliza 4
Emma 4
Alice 3
Annie 3
Hannah 3
Jane 3
Rachel 3
Sarah 3
Ada 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
(Mrs) 1
Amie 1
Ann 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Elisa 1
Emely 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Marion 1
May 1
Melinda 1
Minnie 1
Rebecca 1
Rosetta 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Sussan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 11
William 11
Thomas 9
Joseph 8
John 7
James 5
Henry 4
Alfred 3
Frederick 3
Guy 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Cook 2
Edward 2
Thos. 2
Albert 1
Andrew 1
Charles 1
Daniel 1
Elias 1
Emanuel 1
Francis 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Howard 1
Hubert 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Jesse 1
Martin 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1

FAQ

Nelms surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nelms surname in 1881?

In 1881, 184 people were recorded with the Nelms surname. That placed it at #13,551 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nelms surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 243 in 2016. That gives Nelms a modern rank of #17,131.

What does the Nelms surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "at the elms" in Old English, referring to someone living near elm trees.

What does the Nelms map show?

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