NameCensus.

UK surname

Plimmer

An occupational surname referring to someone who made plumes or feathers for decorative purposes.

In the 1881 census there were 366 people recorded with the Plimmer surname, ranking it #8,490 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 813, ranked #6,817, up from #8,490 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Tipton otherwise Tibington and Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stafford, Staffordshire Moorlands and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Plimmer is 917 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 122.1%.

1881 census count

366

Ranked #8,490

Modern count

813

2016, ranked #6,817

Peak year

1998

917 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Plimmer had 366 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,490 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 813 in 2016, ranked #6,817.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 774 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Plimmer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Plimmer surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Plimmer 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 212 #11,466
1881 historical 366 #8,490
1891 historical 460 #7,953
1901 historical 640 #6,725
1911 historical 774 #5,608
1997 modern 823 #6,393
1998 modern 917 #6,061
1999 modern 913 #6,136
2000 modern 895 #6,200
2001 modern 876 #6,187
2002 modern 899 #6,203
2003 modern 864 #6,266
2004 modern 845 #6,381
2005 modern 822 #6,459
2006 modern 840 #6,374
2007 modern 842 #6,419
2008 modern 832 #6,542
2009 modern 856 #6,539
2010 modern 864 #6,610
2011 modern 845 #6,645
2012 modern 818 #6,711
2013 modern 829 #6,754
2014 modern 835 #6,751
2015 modern 816 #6,821
2016 modern 813 #6,817

Geography

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Where Plimmers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Tipton otherwise Tibington, Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington and Dudley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stafford, Staffordshire Moorlands, Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Telford and Wrekin. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Tipton otherwise Tibington Staffordshire
3 Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors Shropshire
4 Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington Shropshire
5 Dudley Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stafford 003 Stafford
2 Staffordshire Moorlands 012 Staffordshire Moorlands
3 Sandwell 022 Sandwell
4 Wolverhampton 026 Wolverhampton
5 Telford and Wrekin 004 Telford and Wrekin

Forenames

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First names often paired with Plimmer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Plimmer

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Plimmer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Plimmer 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Plimmer is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Plimmer is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Plimmer falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Plimmer 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Plimmer

The surname Plimmer originates from England, particularly tracing back to the West Midlands region. Historically, the name is considered to be a variant of the surname Pilmer, which is itself derived from the Old English elements "pil," meaning a stake or a pole, and "mere," meaning a lake or pond. The amalgamation of these elements suggests that the original bearers of the name may have lived near a staked area of water, possibly used for fishing or farming.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in medieval records. In 1381, during the time of the Poll Tax, a John Plymmere is documented in Suffolk, indicating that variants of the name were already established by the 14th century. Another historical reference includes the appearance of Richard Plymere in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire in 1327, highlighting the spread and slight variations in spelling of the surname across different counties.

An important figure in the history of the name is John Plimmer, born in 1812 and died in 1905. He is often referred to as the "Father of Wellington" due to his significant contributions to the development of Wellington, New Zealand. His efforts in urban planning and architecture left a lasting legacy, and he remains one of the most celebrated individuals with this surname.

Elizabeth Plimmer, born circa 1750, appears in church records from the town of Wolverhampton, indicating the name’s presence in that area during the 18th century. Her family records show that the surname was enduring and well-established in the region.

In the 17th century, William Plimmer, recorded in parish records in the Staffordshire area, exemplifies the continuity of the surname through the English Civil War period. His name appears in various legal documents, emphasizing the role of the Plimmer family in local governance and land dealings.

By the 19th century, Thomas Plimmer, born in 1845, was a noted individual in the industrial town of Birmingham. His work as an ironmonger and his involvement in local trade organizations were well-documented in trade directories of the time.

The surname Plimmer, while not exceedingly common, exhibits a rich legacy extending from medieval England through various regions and historical periods. Its bearers have made noteworthy contributions to their communities, and the surname continues to resonate through historical records and significant individual achievements.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Plimmer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Plimmer 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. Shropshire leads with 125 Plimmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.53x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 125 40.53x
Staffordshire 111 9.21x
Lancashire 26 0.61x
Warwickshire 23 2.55x
Durham 21 1.98x
Worcestershire 21 4.50x
Yorkshire 10 0.28x
Kent 7 0.57x
Derbyshire 6 1.07x
Cheshire 5 0.63x
Surrey 4 0.23x
Hampshire 3 0.41x
Middlesex 2 0.06x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.46x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Shrewsbury St Chad in Shropshire leads with 26 Plimmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 240.07x.

Place Total Index
Shrewsbury St Chad 26 240.07x
Lilleshall 18 382.17x
Wrockwardine 18 265.49x
Stafford St Mary 15 87.93x
Caverswall 14 223.64x
Newport 14 376.34x
Aston 13 5.24x
Oswestry Town 13 131.58x
Tipton 13 35.23x
Dawley 12 106.95x
Wolverhampton 11 11.87x
Bilston 10 42.81x
Birmingham 10 3.33x
Stoke Upon Trent 10 7.82x
Dudley 9 15.88x
Oldbury 9 39.23x
Wednesbury 9 29.88x
Rowley Regis 8 23.82x
Shrewsbury St Julian 8 104.85x
Shrewsbury St Mary 8 65.74x
Barnard Castle 7 133.33x
Durham St Nicholas 7 268.20x
Maidstone 7 19.29x
West Derby 7 5.65x
Biddulph 6 88.24x
Newbold Dunston 6 112.99x
Wigan 6 10.14x
Altofts 5 128.21x
Bishopwearmouth 5 5.48x
Burntwood Edial 5 64.94x
West Bromwich 5 7.25x
Ashton Under Lyne 4 4.32x
Hulme 4 4.52x
Liscard 3 21.13x
Uttoxeter 3 48.62x
Barnsley 2 5.48x
Chester St John Baptist 2 14.11x
Darlington 2 4.88x
Islington London 2 0.58x
Leeds 2 1.00x
Leighton 2 555.56x
Newington 2 1.52x
Shawbury 2 169.49x
Wellington 2 11.53x
Worcester St John 2 35.91x
Basingstoke 1 11.88x
Burton Upon Trent 1 3.55x
Camberwell 1 0.44x
Eyton Upon Wild Moors 1 188.68x
Farlington 1 67.11x
Farnworth 1 3.94x
Girton 1 555.56x
Hodnet 1 41.49x
Kings Norton 1 2.39x
Lancaster 1 3.97x
Little Bolton 1 1.84x
Liverpool 1 0.39x
Monks Risborough 1 96.15x
Normanton 1 9.41x
Northwood 1 9.60x
Oldham 1 0.73x
Penge 1 4.38x
Walsall Foreign 1 1.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 32
Sarah 13
Elizabeth 10
Jane 10
Ann 8
Eliza 7
Martha 7
Alice 5
Harriet 5
Ada 4
Agnes 4
Edith 4
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Fanny 4
Frances 4
Elizth. 3
Hannah 3
Amelia 2
Annie 2
Dinah 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Letitia 2
Lizzie 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Miriam 2
Betsey 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Ceclia 1
Christiana 1
Editha 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Esther 1
Flora 1
Francis 1
Grace 1
Henrietta 1
Jesse 1
Kate 1
Kessiah 1
Maria 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Pheobe 1
Thurza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
Thomas 22
William 17
George 14
Charles 10
James 10
Samuel 10
Joseph 8
Alfred 4
Edward 4
Eli 4
Enoch 4
Henry 4
Thos. 4
Arthur 3
Albert 2
Josiah 2
Levi 2
Moses 2
Richard 2
Aaron 1
Abraham 1
Adam 1
Andrew 1
Austin 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredc.W. 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hy. 1
Jacob 1
Mark 1
Martian 1
P.J.E. 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Sydney 1
Theophilus 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Plimmer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Plimmer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 366 people were recorded with the Plimmer surname. That placed it at #8,490 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Plimmer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 813 in 2016. That gives Plimmer a modern rank of #6,817.

What does the Plimmer surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone who made plumes or feathers for decorative purposes.

What does the Plimmer map show?

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