NameCensus.

UK surname

Salem

A habitational surname referring to people from Salem, a place name meaning "safe" or "complete" in Hebrew or Arabic.

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Salem surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 824, ranked #6,742, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Wirral and North East Derbyshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Salem is 841 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7390.9%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

824

2016, ranked #6,742

Peak year

2014

841 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Salem had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 824 in 2016, ranked #6,742.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 42 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Salem surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Salem surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Salem 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 4 #33,628
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 17 #32,146
1911 historical 42 #28,691
1997 modern 424 #10,531
1998 modern 458 #10,267
1999 modern 479 #9,987
2000 modern 500 #9,632
2001 modern 494 #9,560
2002 modern 559 #8,861
2003 modern 588 #8,455
2004 modern 595 #8,403
2005 modern 602 #8,256
2006 modern 614 #8,140
2007 modern 653 #7,834
2008 modern 672 #7,711
2009 modern 742 #7,312
2010 modern 805 #6,991
2011 modern 758 #7,246
2012 modern 774 #7,050
2013 modern 820 #6,801
2014 modern 841 #6,714
2015 modern 828 #6,735
2016 modern 824 #6,742

Geography

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Where Salems 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 Camden, Wirral, North East Derbyshire and Lewisham. 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 Camden 017 Camden
2 Camden 021 Camden
3 Wirral 013 Wirral
4 North East Derbyshire 001 North East Derbyshire
5 Lewisham 008 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Salem

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Salem

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Salem is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Salem 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

Salem 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 Salem 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Salem

The surname Salem has its origins in the Middle East, specifically in the region that is now known as Palestine and Israel. It is derived from the ancient city of Jerusalem, which was known as Salem in biblical times. The name is thought to have originated sometime around the 10th century BC, when the city was first mentioned in the Old Testament.

Salem was an important city in the ancient world, and it is likely that the name was initially used to identify people who lived in or came from the city. Over time, as people migrated and settled in other parts of the region, the name spread and became a common surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Salem can be found in the Domesday Book, which was a survey of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Saleme" and is listed as a landowner in the county of Gloucestershire.

In the 12th century, a man named William Salem was a prominent landowner and nobleman in the county of Norfolk, England. He is mentioned in several historical records from the time, including the Pipe Rolls of 1166-1167.

During the crusades, several notable figures with the surname Salem were involved in the conflicts between Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land. One of the most famous was Reynald of Salem, who was a knight and military leader in the 12th century.

In the 15th century, a man named John Salem was a prominent merchant and politician in the city of Bristol, England. He served as the Mayor of Bristol in 1450 and played an important role in the city's economic and political affairs.

Another notable figure with the surname Salem was Sir John Salem, who was a member of the English Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. He was a wealthy landowner and served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Gatton from 1572 to 1583.

Over the centuries, the surname Salem has spread to various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and other regions. While its origins can be traced back to the ancient city of Jerusalem, the name has taken on a rich history and cultural significance in many different communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Salem families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Salem 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. Cheshire leads with 8 Salems recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.01x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 8 31.01x
Lancashire 2 1.44x
Lanarkshire 1 2.65x
Royal Navy 1 71.94x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tranmere in Cheshire leads with 8 Salems recorded in 1881 and an index of 842.11x.

Place Total Index
Tranmere 8 842.11x
Toxteth Park 2 42.55x
Barony 1 10.46x
Royal Navy 1 84.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 3
Louisa 2
Edith 1
Ellen 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Alfred 1
Joseph 1
Ontomeo 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 Salem households.

FAQ

Salem surname: questions and answers

How common was the Salem surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Salem surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Salem surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 824 in 2016. That gives Salem a modern rank of #6,742.

What does the Salem surname mean?

A habitational surname referring to people from Salem, a place name meaning "safe" or "complete" in Hebrew or Arabic.

What does the Salem map show?

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