NameCensus.

UK surname

Shum

A surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "schume," meaning "foam" or "froth."

In the 1881 census there were 73 people recorded with the Shum surname, ranking it #23,220 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 340, ranked #13,456, up from #23,220 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southwark, City Centre West and Tunbridge Wells.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shum is 361 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 365.8%.

1881 census count

73

Ranked #23,220

Modern count

340

2016, ranked #13,456

Peak year

2011

361 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shum had 73 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,220 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 340 in 2016, ranked #13,456.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 73 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Shum surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shum surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shum 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 25 #28,853
1861 historical 41 #28,839
1881 historical 73 #23,220
1891 historical 36 #31,465
1901 historical 64 #27,010
1911 historical 54 #27,423
1997 modern 259 #14,912
1998 modern 275 #14,715
1999 modern 280 #14,630
2000 modern 283 #14,488
2001 modern 281 #14,329
2002 modern 307 #13,805
2003 modern 303 #13,718
2004 modern 331 #12,973
2005 modern 332 #12,881
2006 modern 326 #13,128
2007 modern 350 #12,600
2008 modern 338 #13,044
2009 modern 334 #13,409
2010 modern 355 #13,099
2011 modern 361 #12,800
2012 modern 352 #12,913
2013 modern 350 #13,186
2014 modern 339 #13,581
2015 modern 334 #13,645
2016 modern 340 #13,456

Geography

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Where Shums 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 Southwark, City Centre West, Tunbridge Wells, Westminster and Bournemouth. 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 Southwark 023 Southwark
2 City Centre West Glasgow City
3 Tunbridge Wells 009 Tunbridge Wells
4 Westminster 008 Westminster
5 Bournemouth 021 Bournemouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shum

These lists show first names that appear often with the Shum 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 Shum

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Shum is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Shum 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

Shum 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 Shum 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Shum

The surname SHUM originated in China, specifically in the Guangdong province, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is derived from the Chinese character "岑" (shum), which means "mountain" or "hill". This suggests that the name may have been associated with people who lived in or near mountainous regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SHUM can be found in the "Tongzhi" (通志), a local gazetteer published during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). It mentions several villages with the name "Shum" or "Sham" in Guangdong, indicating that the surname was already well-established in the region by that time.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), a scholar named SHUM Kwok-leung (岑國樑) was renowned for his expertise in Confucian classics. He served as a high-ranking official in the imperial court and was praised for his integrity and dedication to his duties.

In the 17th century, a famous calligrapher named SHUM Siu-ling (岑紹齡) gained recognition for his exceptional calligraphic skills. His works were highly sought after and can still be found in many art collections today.

The name SHUM also appears in several historical records from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). For instance, a military commander named SHUM Yat-fung (岑日風) was noted for his bravery and leadership during the Ming-Qing transition period.

Another notable figure was SHUM Yung-shan (岑永善), a successful merchant and philanthropist who lived in the late 19th century. He was renowned for his generous donations to various charitable causes and educational institutions in Guangdong.

Throughout history, the SHUM surname has been associated with several place names in China, particularly in the Guangdong and Fujian provinces. Examples include Shumchun (岑村), Shumkong (岑罔), and Shumshui (岑水), which may have been named after individuals or families bearing the SHUM surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shum families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shum 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. Middlesex leads with 18 Shums recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.53x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 18 2.53x
Surrey 12 3.46x
Staffordshire 10 4.16x
Somerset 6 5.24x
Wiltshire 6 9.53x
Hertfordshire 5 10.19x
Lancashire 5 0.59x
Essex 3 2.13x
Kent 3 1.24x
Hampshire 2 1.37x
Warwickshire 2 1.11x
Gloucestershire 1 0.72x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Handsworth in Staffordshire leads with 10 Shums recorded in 1881 and an index of 168.92x.

Place Total Index
Handsworth 10 168.92x
Hackney London 8 20.05x
Mortlake 7 451.61x
Bradford On Avon 6 297.03x
Pendleton In Salford 5 49.70x
Watford 5 131.58x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 27.91x
Stoke Newington London 4 72.07x
Lewisham 3 23.17x
Walcot 3 49.18x
Bath St Peter St Paul 2 392.16x
Harrow On The Hill 2 140.85x
Islington London 2 2.90x
Kirby Le Soken 2 1000.00x
Portsea 2 6.99x
Aston 1 2.02x
Bathwick 1 78.74x
Clifton 1 14.16x
Harwick St Nicholas 1 454.55x
Kensington London 1 2.53x
Putney 1 30.86x
Solihull 1 77.52x
St Marylebone London 1 2.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 5
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Annie 2
Blanche 2
Emma 2
Gertrude 2
Harriet 2
Harriette 2
Helen 2
Jane 2
Laura 2
Mary 2
Minnie 2
Cerdelia 1
Clara 1
Clare 1
Edith 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Emily 1
Florence 1
Josephine 1
Kate 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Arthur 5
Charles 4
John 2
Sydney 2
Champion 1
Diedrick 1
Ernest 1
F.K.E. 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
George 1
Godfrey 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Leonard 1
Patrick 1
Robert 1
Walter 1
William 1

FAQ

Shum surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shum surname in 1881?

In 1881, 73 people were recorded with the Shum surname. That placed it at #23,220 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shum surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 340 in 2016. That gives Shum a modern rank of #13,456.

What does the Shum surname mean?

A surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "schume," meaning "foam" or "froth."

What does the Shum map show?

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