NameCensus.

UK surname

Shimmin

A surname of Gaelic origin, possibly derived from Siomón, meaning son of Simon.

In the 1881 census there were 189 people recorded with the Shimmin surname, ranking it #13,322 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 485, ranked #10,205, up from #13,322 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Bees, Toxteth Park and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Copeland, Barrow-in-Furness and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shimmin is 519 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 156.6%.

1881 census count

189

Ranked #13,322

Modern count

485

2016, ranked #10,205

Peak year

2010

519 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shimmin had 189 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,322 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 485 in 2016, ranked #10,205.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 326 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Shimmin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shimmin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shimmin 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 44 #25,328
1861 historical 61 #26,170
1881 historical 189 #13,322
1891 historical 182 #15,983
1901 historical 225 #14,047
1911 historical 326 #10,763
1997 modern 469 #9,759
1998 modern 481 #9,893
1999 modern 488 #9,846
2000 modern 494 #9,717
2001 modern 486 #9,674
2002 modern 494 #9,718
2003 modern 477 #9,815
2004 modern 471 #9,942
2005 modern 459 #10,053
2006 modern 471 #9,907
2007 modern 479 #9,873
2008 modern 488 #9,827
2009 modern 491 #9,999
2010 modern 519 #9,768
2011 modern 498 #9,982
2012 modern 473 #10,279
2013 modern 492 #10,138
2014 modern 486 #10,309
2015 modern 492 #10,117
2016 modern 485 #10,205

Geography

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Where Shimmins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Bees, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, West Derby and Walton-on-the-Hill. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Copeland, Barrow-in-Furness and King's Lynn and West Norfolk. 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 St Bees Cumberland
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 West Derby Lancashire
5 Walton-on-the-Hill Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Copeland 002 Copeland
2 Copeland 003 Copeland
3 Barrow-in-Furness 010 Barrow-in-Furness
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 017 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 Copeland 005 Copeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shimmin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shimmin

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Shimmin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Shimmin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Shimmin 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

Shimmin is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Shimmin falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shimmin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Shimmin

The surname SHIMMIN originated in the Isle of Man, a small island located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word 'skemmingr', which means a promontory or headland. This suggests that the name may have been associated with a particular geographical feature or location on the island.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SHIMMIN can be found in the Manx Book of Revelations, a 14th-century manuscript that contains references to individuals with this surname. The name is also mentioned in various land records and legal documents from the 16th and 17th centuries, indicating that the SHIMMIN family had established roots on the Isle of Man during this period.

In the 18th century, the SHIMMIN name appeared in several historical records, including the Manx National Records and the Manx Parish Registers. One notable individual from this time was John Shimmin (1712-1790), a prominent figure in the Isle of Man's legal and political circles, who served as a Deemster (judge) and a member of the House of Keys (the island's parliament).

The 19th century saw the SHIMMIN family continue to play a role in the Isle of Man's history. William Shimmin (1822-1896) was a notable educator and author, who wrote several books on Manx language and culture. Another prominent figure was Thomas Shimmin (1829-1909), a businessman and philanthropist who founded the Shimmin Wilson School in Peel, a town on the island's west coast.

As the SHIMMIN family spread beyond the Isle of Man, they left their mark in various parts of the world. In the United States, for instance, Robert Shimmin (1855-1932) was a successful businessman and philanthropist who founded the Shimmin Lumber Company in Kansas City, Missouri.

Other notable individuals with the surname SHIMMIN include:

1. John Shimmin (1859-1940), a Manx politician and lawyer who served as the Speaker of the House of Keys. 2. Henry Shimmin (1874-1945), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Liverpool and the surrounding areas. 3. Evan Shimmin (1904-1981), a Manx artist and illustrator known for his depictions of the Isle of Man's landscapes and traditional Manx culture. 4. James Shimmin (1913-1995), a Manx historian and author who wrote extensively on the history and folklore of the Isle of Man. 5. Nigel Shimmin (born 1956), a former professional cricketer who played for the Isle of Man and represented the island in several international tournaments.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shimmin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shimmin 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. Isle of Man leads with 609 Shimmins recorded in 1881 and an index of 421.28x.

County Total Index
Isle of Man 609 421.28x
Lancashire 101 1.09x
Cumberland 24 3.58x
Suffolk 13 1.37x
Durham 10 0.43x
Lanarkshire 9 0.36x
Devon 7 0.43x
Northumberland 7 0.60x
Ayrshire 5 0.86x
Flintshire 4 1.91x
Cheshire 2 0.12x
Inverness-shire 2 0.86x
Cornwall 1 0.11x
Essex 1 0.07x
Kent 1 0.04x
Surrey 1 0.03x
Yorkshire 1 0.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Onchan in Isle of Man leads with 118 Shimmins recorded in 1881 and an index of 283.38x.

Place Total Index
Onchan 118 283.38x
Malew 103 815.52x
German 84 1065.99x
German Peel 69 829.33x
Patrick 54 765.96x
Rushen 53 541.92x
Toxteth Park 32 10.23x
St Anne 26 1666.67x
Marown 25 946.97x
Liverpool 23 4.10x
Everton 19 6.45x
Braddan 17 215.19x
Maughold 17 152.47x
Hasketon 13 1007.75x
West Derby 13 4.81x
Arlecdon 12 67.34x
Benfieldside 10 65.66x
Douglas 10 478.47x
Ballaugh 9 348.84x
Barony 9 1.41x
Michael 9 306.12x
Whitehaven 7 19.60x
Stoke Damerel 6 5.29x
Ellenborough Ewanrigg 5 107.53x
Tarbolton 5 52.14x
Arbory 4 126.98x
Jurby 4 228.57x
Longbenton 4 8.15x
Malew Castletown 4 1538.46x
Mold 4 21.07x
Andreas 3 76.53x
Kirkdale 3 1.93x
Stretford 3 5.90x
Wallsend 3 8.17x
Burnley 2 2.57x
Dalton In Furness 2 5.61x
North Meols 2 2.21x
Portree 2 23.26x
Battersea 1 0.35x
Chatham 1 1.37x
Cowling 1 20.00x
Devonport 1 5.37x
Liscard 1 3.23x
Much Woolton 1 7.98x
Paul 1 6.25x
Preston 1 0.40x
Tranmere 1 1.58x
Walthamstow 1 1.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 31
Ann 28
Margaret 28
Elizabeth 27
Mary 22
Jane 19
Sarah 16
Emily 13
Isabella 13
Annie 12
Edith 10
Ellen 10
Eleanor 8
Esther 7
Charlotte 6
Frances 6
Anne 5
Christian 5
Eliza 5
Emma 4
Florence 4
Margt. 4
Agnes 3
Alice 3
Eliz. 3
Elizth. 3
Ellenor 3
Ethel 3
Harriet 3
Margret 3
Maria 3
Susan 3
Susannah 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Cath. 2
Cathrine 2
Clara 2
Hannah 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Margrett 2
Martha 2
May 2
Sage 2
Sophia 2
Eda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 71
John 57
Thomas 41
Robert 26
James 17
Edward 14
George 14
Henry 12
Joseph 11
Richard 10
Wm. 9
Thos. 8
Alfred 7
Philip 7
Charles 5
Phillip 4
Samuel 4
Stanley 4
Walter 4
Archibald 3
Frederick 3
Albert 2
Daniel 2
David 2
Evan 2
Fred 2
Gilbert 2
Hugh 2
Robt. 2
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Ceaser 1
Christopher 1
Douglas 1
Ezra 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Issac 1
Jonathan 1
Jos 1
Lewis 1
Moses 1
Pat. 1
Patrick 1
Rich. 1
Rob. 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Shimmin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shimmin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 189 people were recorded with the Shimmin surname. That placed it at #13,322 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shimmin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 485 in 2016. That gives Shimmin a modern rank of #10,205.

What does the Shimmin surname mean?

A surname of Gaelic origin, possibly derived from Siomón, meaning son of Simon.

What does the Shimmin map show?

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