NameCensus.

UK surname

Shamim

An Arabic surname meaning "fragrant" or "aromatic."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Shamim surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 449, ranked #10,816, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rochdale, Newham and South Gloucestershire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shamim is 468 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 44800.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

449

2016, ranked #10,816

Peak year

2010

468 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shamim had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 449 in 2016, ranked #10,816.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Shamim surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shamim surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Shamim 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1997 modern 279 #14,175
1998 modern 285 #14,351
1999 modern 281 #14,578
2000 modern 297 #14,008
2001 modern 309 #13,487
2002 modern 348 #12,674
2003 modern 365 #12,038
2004 modern 382 #11,672
2005 modern 422 #10,739
2006 modern 426 #10,712
2007 modern 429 #10,747
2008 modern 430 #10,834
2009 modern 449 #10,690
2010 modern 468 #10,550
2011 modern 467 #10,474
2012 modern 451 #10,640
2013 modern 461 #10,634
2014 modern 466 #10,608
2015 modern 455 #10,734
2016 modern 449 #10,816

Geography

Back to top

Where Shamims 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 Rochdale, Newham, South Gloucestershire, Redbridge and Kirklees. 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 Rochdale 015 Rochdale
2 Newham 011 Newham
3 South Gloucestershire 005 South Gloucestershire
4 Redbridge 030 Redbridge
5 Kirklees 024 Kirklees

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Shamim

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Shamim

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Shamim surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Shamim household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Shamim is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Shamim 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

Shamim 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 Shamim 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 Shamim, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Shamim

The surname SHAMIM originates from the Arabic language and is believed to have its roots in the Middle East, particularly in regions that were part of the Islamic caliphates during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Arabic word "Shamim," which means "fragrant" or "aromatic," and is often associated with pleasant smells or aromas.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname SHAMIM can be traced back to the 10th century, when it appeared in various historical records and manuscripts from the region. One notable example is the "Kitab al-Ansab" (Book of Genealogies) written by the Arab historian and genealogist, Al-Sam'ani, who lived from 1113 to 1166 CE. This work includes references to individuals bearing the surname SHAMIM, indicating its usage during that time period.

In the 12th century, the surname SHAMIM is found in the "Muqaddimah" (Introduction), a historical work by the renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher, Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406 CE). This suggests that the name was prevalent among Arabic-speaking populations and may have been associated with certain professions or trades related to perfumes or aromatics.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname SHAMIM was Abu Bakr al-Shamim (born around 1050 CE), a renowned scholar and poet from Baghdad who was renowned for his contributions to Arabic literature and poetry. Another notable figure was Zayn al-Din al-Shamim (1197-1267 CE), a prominent Islamic jurist and scholar from Damascus, who wrote extensively on Islamic law and jurisprudence.

During the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over vast territories in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe from the 14th to the 20th centuries, the surname SHAMIM continued to be found among various communities. One notable individual from this period was Mehmet Shamim Efendi (1595-1662 CE), a talented calligrapher and poet who served as the head of the Imperial Ottoman Calligraphy School in Istanbul.

In the Indian subcontinent, where Arabic culture and influence were prevalent due to the spread of Islam, the surname SHAMIM can be traced back to the 16th century. One prominent figure was Mir Abdul Shamim (1560-1630 CE), a renowned Sufi poet and scholar who wrote extensively in Persian and Arabic, and was associated with the Mughal court of Emperor Akbar.

As the name SHAMIM spread across different regions and cultures, it underwent various spelling variations and adaptations. Some examples include Shameem, Shammim, and Shammeem, reflecting the linguistic and cultural influences of the areas where it was adopted.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Shamim surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shamim surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Shamim surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shamim surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 449 in 2016. That gives Shamim a modern rank of #10,816.

What does the Shamim surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "fragrant" or "aromatic."

What does the Shamim map show?

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