NameCensus.

UK surname

Shams

A surname derived from the Arabic word meaning "sun" or "glorious".

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Shams surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 294, ranked #14,953, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waverley, Kingston upon Thames and Rochdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shams is 294 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14600.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

294

2016, ranked #14,953

Peak year

2016

294 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shams had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 294 in 2016, ranked #14,953.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 24 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Shams surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shams surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shams 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
1861 historical 24 #30,922
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 13 #33,099
1997 modern 56 #32,004
1998 modern 72 #30,775
1999 modern 74 #30,759
2000 modern 80 #30,139
2001 modern 77 #30,277
2002 modern 90 #29,314
2003 modern 109 #26,361
2004 modern 139 #22,891
2005 modern 165 #20,468
2006 modern 170 #20,214
2007 modern 185 #19,402
2008 modern 190 #19,246
2009 modern 217 #18,070
2010 modern 234 #17,544
2011 modern 245 #16,874
2012 modern 253 #16,377
2013 modern 270 #15,911
2014 modern 290 #15,203
2015 modern 291 #15,078
2016 modern 294 #14,953

Geography

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Where Shams' 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 Waverley, Kingston upon Thames, Rochdale, Southampton and Hounslow. 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 Waverley 018 Waverley
2 Kingston upon Thames 013 Kingston upon Thames
3 Rochdale 015 Rochdale
4 Southampton 029 Southampton
5 Hounslow 020 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shams

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shams

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Shams is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

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

Shams 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

Shams falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Shams

The surname "SHAMS" is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the Arab world. It is derived from the Arabic word "shams," which means "sun" or "sunshine." The name likely emerged during the medieval period in regions where Arabic was the predominant language.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "SHAMS" can be found in ancient Arabic manuscripts and historical records from the 7th to 10th centuries. These documents often mentioned individuals with this surname, indicating its widespread use during the early Islamic era.

In some regions, the surname "SHAMS" was associated with certain professions or trades related to the sun, such as astronomers, astrologers, or those involved in sundial manufacturing. It was not uncommon for surnames to reflect occupations or crafts during that time period.

The name "SHAMS" has also been linked to various place names in the Middle East, such as the city of Shams in Iran or the town of Shamsabad in Pakistan. It is possible that some individuals adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.

One notable figure with the surname "SHAMS" was Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn Malik-Shah al-Saljuqi (1087-1153), a prominent Persian philosopher and scholar who lived during the Seljuk Empire. His works on metaphysics and mysticism had a significant influence on Islamic thought.

Another individual of historical significance was Shams al-Din Muhammad al-Hafiz al-Shami (1357-1429), a renowned Syrian poet and calligrapher who contributed to the development of Arabic literature and calligraphic art.

In the 13th century, there was a famous Sufi mystic known as Shams al-Din Muhammad Tabrizi (1185-1248), who played a crucial role in the spiritual awakening of the celebrated Persian poet Rumi.

During the medieval period, the surname "SHAMS" was also found in various regions of the Middle East, including present-day Iraq, Syria, and Egypt. One notable example was Shams al-Din al-Isfahani (1250-1348), an influential Persian scholar and historian who documented the events of his time.

Furthermore, the surname "SHAMS" has been associated with several influential figures in the field of astronomy and mathematics throughout history, such as Shams al-Din al-Bukhari (1206-1277), a renowned astronomer and mathematician from Bukhara, and Shams al-Din al-Samarqandi (1456-1528), a celebrated Persian astronomer and mathematician.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shams families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shams 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. Surrey leads with 2 Shams' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.30x.

County Total Index
Surrey 2 21.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Thames Ditton in Surrey leads with 2 Shams' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Thames Ditton 2 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 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 Shams households.

Occupation Count
Labourer 1

FAQ

Shams surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shams surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Shams surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shams surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 294 in 2016. That gives Shams a modern rank of #14,953.

What does the Shams surname mean?

A surname derived from the Arabic word meaning "sun" or "glorious".

What does the Shams map show?

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