NameCensus.

UK surname

Palm

An English topographic surname for someone who lived near a stand of palm trees.

In the 1881 census there were 39 people recorded with the Palm surname, ranking it #28,137 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, up from #28,137 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Runnymede, Richmond upon Thames and Stockton-on-Tees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Palm is 126 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 223.1%.

1881 census count

39

Ranked #28,137

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2016

126 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Palm had 39 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,137 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 84 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Palm surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Palm surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Palm 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 40 #26,118
1861 historical 76 #24,114
1881 historical 39 #28,137
1891 historical 80 #26,785
1901 historical 51 #28,492
1911 historical 84 #24,442
1997 modern 65 #31,141
1998 modern 87 #29,240
1999 modern 81 #30,037
2000 modern 80 #30,139
2001 modern 80 #29,945
2002 modern 87 #29,644
2003 modern 77 #30,762
2004 modern 88 #29,758
2005 modern 77 #31,156
2006 modern 82 #30,933
2007 modern 87 #30,666
2008 modern 91 #30,431
2009 modern 97 #30,076
2010 modern 109 #28,831
2011 modern 106 #29,157
2012 modern 113 #28,016
2013 modern 121 #27,255
2014 modern 124 #27,049
2015 modern 118 #27,833
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Palms 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 Runnymede, Richmond upon Thames, Stockton-on-Tees and Merton. 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 Runnymede 005 Runnymede
2 Richmond upon Thames 001 Richmond upon Thames
3 Stockton-on-Tees 021 Stockton-on-Tees
4 Merton 002 Merton
5 Richmond upon Thames 003 Richmond upon Thames

Forenames

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First names often paired with Palm

These lists show first names that appear often with the Palm 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 Palm

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Palm, 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 Palm surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Palm 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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

Established Homeowners with Children

Within London, Palm is most associated with areas classed as Established Homeowners with Children, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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 predominantly British-born residents are typically married/in civil partnerships and own the properties in which they are raising their children. Parents are typically over 45, and many other residents are beyond normal retirement age. Detached and semi-detached houses predominate and multiple car ownership is common.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Palm 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

Palm falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Palm 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Palm

The surname Palm is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "palm," which referred to the palm tree or a branch of palm leaves. This name was likely given as a descriptive surname to someone who lived near a location where palm trees grew or to someone who worked with palm leaves or fronds.

The earliest known records of the Palm surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of landholdings and population across England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears spelled as "Palme" in this historical document.

During the 13th century, the Palm surname was also found in various records from counties such as Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. It is possible that the name may have originated from specific place names like Palmbere in Dorset or Palmerhayes in Devon, which incorporated the word "palm."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Palm surname was Robert Palm, who was born in Gloucestershire in the late 13th century. Another notable bearer of this name was Sir Henry Palm, a knight who fought in the Wars of the Roses during the 15th century.

In the 16th century, the spelling of the surname evolved, and variations such as Palme and Paulme were documented. During this period, John Palme, a merchant from Bristol, became a prominent figure in the city's trade guilds.

The 17th century saw the birth of William Palm, a renowned painter and engraver from London, who was known for his landscapes and portraits. He was active during the reign of King Charles II.

In the 18th century, the Palm surname gained recognition through the work of Jacob Palm, a Dutch botanist and explorer who studied the flora of South Africa and the Cape region. He was born in 1763 and made significant contributions to the field of plant taxonomy.

Throughout history, the Palm surname has been associated with various occupations, including horticulture, botany, and trades involving palm leaves or fronds. It has also been found in various regions of England, particularly in the southwest and southeast counties.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Palm families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Palm 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. Middlesex leads with 12 Palms recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.15x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 12 3.15x
Warwickshire 6 6.25x
Shropshire 5 15.22x
Gloucestershire 4 5.36x
Cheshire 3 3.57x
Lancashire 3 0.66x
Fife 2 8.88x
Buckinghamshire 1 4.35x
Kent 1 0.77x
Staffordshire 1 0.78x
Surrey 1 0.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Studley in Warwickshire leads with 6 Palms recorded in 1881 and an index of 1463.41x.

Place Total Index
Studley 6 1463.41x
Westminster St James 6 153.45x
Wellington 5 270.27x
Bristol St Peter 4 1481.48x
Barton 3 15000.00x
Bethnal Green London 3 18.16x
Largo 2 689.66x
Pendleton In Salford 2 37.17x
Deal 1 90.09x
Hindley 1 52.08x
Mile End Old Town 1 16.67x
Paddington London 1 7.15x
St Anne Soho London 1 46.08x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 7.34x
Streatham 1 35.46x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 108.70x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Mary 2
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Ellizabeth 1
Harriet 1
Isabella 1
Johanna 1
Lucy 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Frederick 2
James 2
Joseph 2
Charles 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Harry 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Louis 1
Thomas 1
W.H. 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Palm households.

FAQ

Palm surname: questions and answers

How common was the Palm surname in 1881?

In 1881, 39 people were recorded with the Palm surname. That placed it at #28,137 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Palm surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Palm a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Palm surname mean?

An English topographic surname for someone who lived near a stand of palm trees.

What does the Palm map show?

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