NameCensus.

UK surname

Samms

Patronymic surname denoting son of a man named Samuel or some abbreviation thereof.

In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Samms surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 271, ranked #15,874, up from #19,296 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Watham, Little and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Gateshead and Barrow-in-Furness.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Samms is 286 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 160.6%.

1881 census count

104

Ranked #19,296

Modern count

271

2016, ranked #15,874

Peak year

2013

286 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Samms had 104 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,296 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 271 in 2016, ranked #15,874.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 154 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Samms surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Samms surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Samms 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 78 #19,840
1861 historical 85 #22,922
1881 historical 104 #19,296
1891 historical 138 #19,411
1901 historical 154 #17,775
1911 historical 136 #18,962
1997 modern 222 #16,508
1998 modern 231 #16,555
1999 modern 227 #16,834
2000 modern 237 #16,331
2001 modern 242 #15,832
2002 modern 242 #16,186
2003 modern 251 #15,563
2004 modern 251 #15,655
2005 modern 240 #16,092
2006 modern 241 #16,139
2007 modern 249 #15,943
2008 modern 254 #15,903
2009 modern 273 #15,436
2010 modern 281 #15,441
2011 modern 281 #15,276
2012 modern 279 #15,289
2013 modern 286 #15,259
2014 modern 276 #15,788
2015 modern 264 #16,186
2016 modern 271 #15,874

Geography

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Where Samms' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Watham, Little, London parishes, Stafford St Mary and St Chad, Tillington and Paglesham (incl. Wallisea Island). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Gateshead, Barrow-in-Furness and Manchester. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Watham, Little Essex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Stafford St Mary and St Chad, Tillington Staffordshire
5 Paglesham (incl. Wallisea Island) Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 005 County Durham
2 Gateshead 026 Gateshead
3 Barrow-in-Furness 010 Barrow-in-Furness
4 Manchester 024 Manchester
5 County Durham 007 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Samms

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Samms

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Samms surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Samms 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Samms is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Samms 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

Samms falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Samms 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 Samms, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Samms

The surname "SAMMS" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the ancient English word "samm," which means "half" or "semi." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a person who worked part-time or had a dual occupation.

The earliest recorded instance of the name "SAMMS" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Samme," likely referring to a landowner or tenant in one of the English counties.

During the 13th century, the name "SAMMS" emerged in various records across different regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. This indicates that the name had spread throughout the country and was likely associated with families of both noble and common descent.

One notable figure bearing the name "SAMMS" was Sir John Samms (c. 1375-1450), a knight and landowner from Nottinghamshire. He was known for his involvement in the Hundred Years' War and his service under King Henry V during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Richard Samms (c. 1520-1591), a merchant and Member of Parliament for the City of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was a influential figure in the city's trade and economic affairs.

In the 17th century, the name "SAMMS" appeared in various church records and parish registers across England, suggesting its continued presence and prevalence among the populace.

One notable figure from this period was Thomas Samms (1635-1712), a renowned mathematician and astronomer who served as the Savilian Professor of Geometry at the University of Oxford. He made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the motion of planets.

Another individual of note was Samuel Samms (1680-1744), a successful merchant and philanthropist from Bristol. He was known for his involvement in the city's thriving maritime trade and his charitable contributions, including the founding of a school for underprivileged children.

The name "SAMMS" also had variations in spelling, such as "Sammes," "Sams," and "Sammis," which were common throughout different periods and regions of England. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects, phonetic spellings, and the evolution of language over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Samms families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Samms 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. Essex leads with 39 Samms' recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.48x.

County Total Index
Essex 39 19.48x
Middlesex 12 1.18x
Hertfordshire 11 15.73x
Sussex 10 5.85x
Yorkshire 10 0.99x
Buckinghamshire 5 8.15x
Surrey 5 1.01x
Huntingdonshire 4 19.86x
Cambridgeshire 3 4.67x
Lancashire 2 0.17x
Bedfordshire 1 1.90x
Kent 1 0.29x
Staffordshire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 10 Samms' recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.99x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 10 28.99x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 10 214.13x
Paglesham 7 3888.89x
Watford 7 129.15x
Bromley London 6 26.88x
Chelmsford 4 116.28x
Datchet 4 952.38x
Eastwood 4 2352.94x
Great Easton 4 1481.48x
Maldon All Sts 4 1000.00x
Tillingham 4 1142.86x
Tollesbury 4 800.00x
Hitchin 3 94.94x
Huntingdon St Benedict 3 1200.00x
Lambeth 3 3.39x
Linton 3 491.80x
Finchingfield 2 317.46x
Little Waltham 2 1000.00x
Manchester 2 3.69x
Springfield 2 227.27x
Acton 1 16.81x
Bromley 1 18.98x
Camberwell 1 1.54x
Castle Church 1 48.54x
Croydon 1 3.65x
Dengie 1 909.09x
Edmonton 1 12.24x
Finchley 1 25.71x
Holy Trinity Less 1 454.55x
Little Stukeley 1 1000.00x
Luton 1 11.00x
Shoreditch London 1 2.27x
St Albans St Peter 1 42.37x
St Pancras London 1 1.22x
Thaxted 1 151.52x
Upton Cum Chalvey 1 40.98x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Jane 5
Sarah 5
Elizabeth 4
Ellen 4
Emma 4
Susan 4
Alice 3
Emily 3
Julia 2
Agnes 1
Annie 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Elenor 1
Fanny 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Marion 1
Marrget 1
Martha 1
Maryann 1
Rachel 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 7
William 6
James 5
George 4
Alfred 3
Edward 3
Henry 3
Thomas 3
Charles 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Annie 1
Arthur 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Wm.John 1

FAQ

Samms surname: questions and answers

How common was the Samms surname in 1881?

In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Samms surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Samms surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 271 in 2016. That gives Samms a modern rank of #15,874.

What does the Samms surname mean?

Patronymic surname denoting son of a man named Samuel or some abbreviation thereof.

What does the Samms map show?

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