UK surname
A surname derived from the English word "palm", possibly denoting someone from a place associated with palm trees.
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Palman surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 52, ranked #34,780, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Burton-on-Trent, St Leonard Shoreditch and St Mary Islington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Palman is 143 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 550.0%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
52
2016, ranked #34,780
Peak year
1861
143 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Palman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Palman surname density by area, 1861 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 | 23 | #29,205 |
| 1861 | historical | 143 | #15,906 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 56 | #29,638 |
| 1901 | historical | 22 | #31,562 |
| 1911 | historical | 23 | #30,923 |
| 1997 | modern | 27 | #35,016 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 25 | #35,413 |
| 2000 | modern | 29 | #34,976 |
| 2001 | modern | 27 | #35,041 |
| 2002 | modern | 31 | #34,866 |
| 2003 | modern | 32 | #34,862 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 39 | #34,652 |
| 2006 | modern | 37 | #35,074 |
| 2007 | modern | 42 | #34,905 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 38 | #35,380 |
| 2010 | modern | 39 | #35,451 |
| 2011 | modern | 39 | #35,444 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 49 | #34,952 |
| 2014 | modern | 51 | #34,865 |
| 2015 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
| 2016 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Burton-on-Trent, St Leonard Shoreditch, St Mary Islington, Woolwich and Axminster, Thorncombe, Uplyme. 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 | Burton-on-Trent | Staffordshire |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Woolwich | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Axminster, Thorncombe, Uplyme | Devon |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Palman 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 Palman, 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 Palman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Palman 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, Palman 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 Palman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Palman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Palman is believed to have originated from Central Europe, specifically from German-speaking regions, dating back to the medieval period around the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "palme" which means "palm tree" and denotes a person who lived near palm trees or cultivated them. In these regions, palm trees often symbolized victory and success, which may have contributed to its popularity and adoption as a surname.
The Palman surname appeared in early records and manuscripts, particularly in areas that were part of the Holy Roman Empire. One of the earliest documented instances of the surname is found in a feudal land register from the Bavarian region, dated circa 1270. These records detailed the land holdings and taxes of individuals, indicating the Palman family held a significant position within their community.
Throughout history, variations in the spelling of Palman occurred due to dialectal differences and the lack of standardized spelling. Some of these variations include Palmann, Pallmann, and Palmann. These spellings appear in different records, including church registries and legal documents, suggesting the widespread presence of the surname across various German territories.
One of the notable individuals bearing the surname Palman was Hans Palman, a merchant and councilman from Frankfurt born around 1440. Hans Palman significantly contributed to the economic development of his town through trade and civic engagement until his death in 1502. Another significant figure was Margarethe Palman, a noted writer and poet hailing from Nürnberg, born in 1515. Her contributions to literature in the form of poetry reflecting the cultural underpinnings of her time were recognized posthumously after her death in 1578.
The surname Palman also made its way into Eastern Europe. Ivan Palman, a military officer in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, exemplified the movement of families across regions. He was born in 1672 and participated in various military campaigns, surviving the tumultuous period until his death in 1734. Palman's contributions are mentioned in military dispatches and chronicles of his time, highlighting his significance.
In the 19th century, Johann Palman made notable advancements in the field of science. Born in 1810 in Stuttgart, Johann became a respected chemist who developed several important chemical processes used in industry. His innovations and research were widely published, influencing scientific advancements until his death in 1885.
Friedrich Palman, another influential person carrying the surname, was an architect born in 1832 in Vienna. His classical architectural designs and contributions to urban planning had a lasting impact on the cityscape, with several buildings attributed to his vision. Friedrich's influence extended well into the late 19th century, cementing his legacy by the time of his death in 1903.
The surname Palman, with its origins rooted in German-speaking regions and historical presence across Central and Eastern Europe, resonates through various historical references and notable individuals. This legacy reflects both the socio-economic and cultural developments across centuries, immortalizing the surname Palman within historical contexts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Palman 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. Middlesex leads with 5 Palmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.41x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 5 | 6.41x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 29.76x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 7.36x |
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 4 Palmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.91x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 4 | 52.91x |
| Whitehaven | 2 | 555.56x |
| Neath | 1 | 357.14x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 34.84x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Palman 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 Palman 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 Palman households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Confectioners Assistant | 1 |
| Earthen Manufacturer | 1 |
| Retired Accountant | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Palman surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 52 in 2016. That gives Palman a modern rank of #34,780.
A surname derived from the English word "palm", possibly denoting someone from a place associated with palm trees.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Palman 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.