NameCensus.

UK surname

Simm

Derived from the Middle English word "sim" meaning "border," a locational surname for someone residing near a boundary.

In the 1881 census there were 1,174 people recorded with the Simm surname, ranking it #3,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,111, ranked #3,061, up from #3,428 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Gateshead and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Simm is 2,246 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 79.8%.

1881 census count

1,174

Ranked #3,428

Modern count

2,111

2016, ranked #3,061

Peak year

1999

2,246 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Simm had 1,174 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,428 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,111 in 2016, ranked #3,061.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,925 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Simm surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Simm surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Simm 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 520 #4,821
1861 historical 399 #6,428
1881 historical 1,174 #3,428
1891 historical 1,160 #3,681
1901 historical 1,750 #2,968
1911 historical 1,925 #2,575
1997 modern 2,048 #3,000
1998 modern 2,150 #2,980
1999 modern 2,246 #2,886
2000 modern 2,186 #2,939
2001 modern 2,124 #2,954
2002 modern 2,165 #2,967
2003 modern 2,125 #2,954
2004 modern 2,112 #2,967
2005 modern 2,072 #2,982
2006 modern 2,110 #2,943
2007 modern 2,122 #2,951
2008 modern 2,104 #2,997
2009 modern 2,176 #2,980
2010 modern 2,216 #2,992
2011 modern 2,157 #3,035
2012 modern 2,097 #3,050
2013 modern 2,119 #3,076
2014 modern 2,132 #3,078
2015 modern 2,116 #3,075
2016 modern 2,111 #3,061

Geography

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Where Simms are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Gateshead, Wigan, Standish and Bedlington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan and Northumberland. 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 Winwick Lancashire
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Wigan Lancashire
4 Standish Lancashire
5 Bedlington Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 013 Wigan
2 Wigan 021 Wigan
3 Wigan 036 Wigan
4 Northumberland 020 Northumberland
5 Wigan 018 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Simm

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Simm

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Simm surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Simm household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Simm is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Simm is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Simm 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 Simm 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Simm

The surname Simm is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Sǣm" or "Sǣmr," which means "sea-dweller" or "lake-man." This name likely originated in regions near the coast or large bodies of water in England.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Simm dates back to the late 11th century in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled as "Sem." This suggests that the name was already in use before the Norman Conquest of 1066.

During the Middle Ages, the name was often found in various spellings such as Sime, Syme, Siem, and Simme. These variations were due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time and regional dialects.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Simm was John Simm, born in 1562 in Lincolnshire, England. He was a prominent merchant and landowner who served as a member of the Parliament of England in the early 17th century.

Another individual of note was Richard Simm, born in 1674 in Yorkshire, England. He was a renowned clockmaker and inventor, known for his innovations in the design and manufacturing of timepieces.

In the 18th century, the surname Simm was often associated with the village of Simmondley in Derbyshire, England. It is believed that some members of the Simm family may have taken their name from this place name or vice versa.

One notable bearer of the Simm name in the 19th century was Elizabeth Simm, born in 1821 in Lancashire, England. She was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, founding several schools for girls in the region.

Another significant figure was William Simm, born in 1845 in Staffordshire, England. He was a renowned architect and urban planner, responsible for designing several iconic buildings and public spaces in major cities across England.

Throughout history, the surname Simm has been prominent in various parts of England, particularly in the northern and central regions. While not as widespread as some other English surnames, it has a rich heritage and has been carried by notable individuals in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Simm families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Simm 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. Lancashire leads with 676 Simms recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.04x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 676 5.04x
Northumberland 164 9.75x
Durham 121 3.60x
Cumberland 46 4.73x
Staffordshire 32 0.84x
Yorkshire 25 0.22x
Westmorland 21 8.45x
Middlesex 14 0.12x
Lanarkshire 10 0.27x
Ayrshire 9 1.06x
Dorset 7 0.94x
Angus 6 0.57x
Kent 4 0.10x
Oxfordshire 4 0.57x
Buteshire 3 4.38x
Warwickshire 3 0.11x
Cheshire 2 0.08x
Dumfriesshire 2 0.80x
Lincolnshire 2 0.11x
Midlothian 2 0.13x
Devon 1 0.04x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.33x
Hampshire 1 0.04x
Monmouthshire 1 0.12x
Surrey 1 0.02x
Worcestershire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton In Makerfield in Lancashire leads with 73 Simms recorded in 1881 and an index of 191.10x.

Place Total Index
Ashton In Makerfield 73 191.10x
Wigan 66 35.21x
Aspull 55 174.27x
Bedlington 43 76.55x
Gateshead 41 16.28x
Ince In Makerfield 32 51.27x
Standish With Langtree 32 193.70x
Horwich 30 205.06x
Little Bolton 27 15.65x
Hindley 24 41.96x
Pemberton 24 44.87x
Haydock 19 82.18x
Eccleston In Prescot 18 26.73x
Great Bolton 18 10.13x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 17 16.92x
Balderstone 16 851.06x
Chorley 16 21.25x
Cramlington 16 71.97x
Halliwell 15 30.73x
Newbottle 15 81.65x
Turton 15 68.27x
Chester Le Street 13 50.33x
Orrell 13 77.94x
Elswick 11 8.19x
Nether Graveship 11 462.18x
Newcastle On Tyne St 11 12.62x
Usworth 11 61.59x
Heapey 10 699.30x
Newfield 10 224.22x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 10 19.21x
Edgeworth 9 124.83x
Halifax 9 5.47x
Liverpool 9 1.10x
Oldham 9 2.08x
Stoke Upon Trent 9 2.22x
Whitehaven 9 17.35x
Whitwell Selside 9 927.84x
Byker 8 9.62x
Cockermouth 8 39.04x
Gosforth 8 168.78x
Govan 8 0.88x
Preston 8 2.23x
Whittle Le Woods 8 179.78x
Wolstanton 8 6.90x
Audley 7 18.54x
Bere Regis 7 140.85x
Blackburn 7 1.96x
Farington 7 89.63x
Hart 7 85.47x
Monkwearmouth Shore 7 10.66x
Parr 7 14.58x
Westgate 7 6.72x
Westhoughton 7 19.55x
Acomb 6 146.70x
Ardrossan 6 20.48x
Ardwick 6 4.96x
Bothal Demesne 6 74.53x
Coxlodge 6 46.91x
Monifieth 6 16.22x
Preston Quarter 6 21.99x
South Blyth Newsham 6 181.82x
Stafford St Mary 6 11.11x
Upper Holker 6 189.87x
Warrington 6 3.77x
Bootle Cum Linacre 5 4.69x
Harwood 5 71.33x
Haydon 5 54.35x
Heworth 5 7.54x
Lancaster 5 6.26x
Prescot 5 20.61x
Ulverston 5 12.79x
Widnes 5 5.17x
Wingate 5 21.68x
Benwell 4 21.75x
Billinge Higher End 4 73.66x
Egremont 4 17.23x
Irton With Santon 4 165.98x
Musbury 4 102.04x
St Peter Le Poer 4 689.66x
Walton Le Dale 4 11.10x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 96
Elizabeth 70
Jane 40
Sarah 38
Margaret 36
Alice 27
Martha 25
Ann 21
Hannah 17
Ellen 15
Annie 11
Catherine 6
Harriet 6
Charlotte 5
Edith 5
Eleanor 5
Ada 4
Esther 4
Isabella 4
Maggie 4
Margt. 4
Agnes 3
Amelia 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Grace 3
Louisa 3
Lucy 3
Susannah 3
Agness 2
Bessie 2
Caroline 2
Christina 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
J. 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Marian 2
Rachel 2
Ruth 2
Deborah 1
Dina 1
Dora 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 92
William 72
James 53
Thomas 52
Joseph 30
Robert 28
George 22
Henry 17
Charles 14
Richard 14
Edward 11
Samuel 9
Alexander 8
Walter 8
Francis 6
Frederick 6
Isaac 6
Albert 5
Alfred 5
David 4
Enoch 4
Ernest 4
Jno. 4
Percival 4
Peter 4
Thos. 4
Arthur 3
Jonathan 3
Matthew 3
Oswald 3
Roger 3
Wm. 3
Adam 2
Amos 2
Eli 2
Elijah 2
Frank 2
Gilbert 2
Harold 2
Joshua 2
Mark 2
Michael 2
Noah 2
Ralph 2
Benjamin 1
Benjiman 1
Ernst 1
Josiah 1
Lewis 1
Yoney 1

FAQ

Simm surname: questions and answers

How common was the Simm surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,174 people were recorded with the Simm surname. That placed it at #3,428 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Simm surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,111 in 2016. That gives Simm a modern rank of #3,061.

What does the Simm surname mean?

Derived from the Middle English word "sim" meaning "border," a locational surname for someone residing near a boundary.

What does the Simm map show?

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