NameCensus.

UK surname

Stimson

Derived from the Old English given name "Stigmond," composed of the elements "stig" (steep) and "mund" (protection).

In the 1881 census there were 793 people recorded with the Stimson surname, ranking it #4,693 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,317, ranked #4,560, up from #4,693 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Sutton and Peterborough St John the Baptist. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Holland, Malvern Hills and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stimson is 1,490 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.1%.

1881 census count

793

Ranked #4,693

Modern count

1,317

2016, ranked #4,560

Peak year

2002

1,490 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stimson had 793 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,693 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,317 in 2016, ranked #4,560.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,201 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Stimson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stimson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stimson 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 575 #4,429
1861 historical 332 #7,673
1881 historical 793 #4,693
1891 historical 689 #5,686
1901 historical 1,120 #4,324
1911 historical 1,201 #3,913
1997 modern 1,443 #4,044
1998 modern 1,459 #4,146
1999 modern 1,450 #4,193
2000 modern 1,456 #4,166
2001 modern 1,422 #4,169
2002 modern 1,490 #4,094
2003 modern 1,410 #4,201
2004 modern 1,399 #4,224
2005 modern 1,363 #4,279
2006 modern 1,342 #4,340
2007 modern 1,357 #4,338
2008 modern 1,355 #4,362
2009 modern 1,362 #4,420
2010 modern 1,371 #4,483
2011 modern 1,346 #4,507
2012 modern 1,353 #4,418
2013 modern 1,372 #4,442
2014 modern 1,371 #4,470
2015 modern 1,343 #4,507
2016 modern 1,317 #4,560

Geography

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Where Stimsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Sutton, Peterborough St John the Baptist, Crowland and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Holland, Malvern Hills, Central Bedfordshire and Peterborough. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Sutton Cambridgeshire
3 Peterborough St John the Baptist Northamptonshire
4 Crowland Northamptonshire
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Holland 011 South Holland
2 Malvern Hills 006 Malvern Hills
3 Central Bedfordshire 005 Central Bedfordshire
4 Malvern Hills 004 Malvern Hills
5 Peterborough 019 Peterborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stimson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stimson

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Stimson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Stimson 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Stimson is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Stimson is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Stimson falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Stimson 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Stimson

The surname STIMSON originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. One of the earliest recorded spellings is "Stivenson," found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1202. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English words "stifen" or "stiven," meaning "stiff" or "strong," combined with the suffix "-son," denoting "son of."

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Stevenson" and "Styvenson," in records from counties like Yorkshire and Northumberland. These variations reflect the influence of regional dialects and scribal errors common in that era.

In the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, a certain "Alexander Stevene" is mentioned, suggesting the name's presence in the area. Additionally, the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296 include the entry "William Stevene."

The surname STIMSON is considered a locational name, possibly originating from a now-lost place name or a person who hailed from a specific location. However, no definitive records have been found linking the name to a specific place.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname STIMSON was John Stimson, born around 1580 in Ipswich, Suffolk. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the region.

Another notable figure was Sir Samuel Stimson (1619-1689), a British politician and member of Parliament for Southwark during the reign of King Charles II.

In the 18th century, Joseph Stimson (1718-1782) was a renowned clockmaker from Hertfordshire, known for his intricate timepieces adorned with enamel paintings.

The 19th century saw the birth of Henry Stimson (1832-1901), a prominent banker and philanthropist from New York City, who founded the Stimson Memorial Library in his hometown.

More recently, Henry L. Stimson (1867-1950) was an influential statesman who served as the United States Secretary of War under President William Howard Taft and later as the Secretary of State under President Herbert Hoover.

While the surname STIMSON has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through British colonization and migration patterns.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stimson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stimson 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 119 Stimsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.55x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 119 1.55x
Lincolnshire 80 6.53x
Cambridgeshire 72 14.83x
Northamptonshire 64 8.87x
Surrey 59 1.58x
Bedfordshire 52 13.10x
Yorkshire 52 0.68x
Nottinghamshire 41 3.97x
Norfolk 32 2.71x
Essex 26 1.72x
Kent 21 0.80x
Rutland 19 33.75x
Leicestershire 18 2.12x
Buckinghamshire 16 3.45x
Hampshire 16 1.02x
Sussex 15 1.16x
Warwickshire 12 0.62x
Lancashire 11 0.12x
Banffshire 9 5.66x
Derbyshire 8 0.67x
Devon 8 0.50x
Huntingdonshire 8 5.25x
Berkshire 7 1.22x
Hertfordshire 7 1.32x
Oxfordshire 5 1.06x
Cornwall 2 0.23x
Durham 2 0.09x
Somerset 2 0.16x
Suffolk 2 0.21x
Herefordshire 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sutton in Cambridgeshire leads with 31 Stimsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 769.23x.

Place Total Index
Sutton 31 769.23x
Crowland 25 325.10x
West Ham 22 6.58x
Spalding 19 78.09x
Bethnal Green London 18 5.40x
Clophill 16 549.83x
St Pancras London 16 2.59x
Brighton 15 5.75x
Nottingham St Mary 15 5.61x
Soham 15 143.54x
Lambeth 13 1.94x
Twickenham 12 36.51x
Wisbech St Peter 11 45.17x
Brooke 10 3571.43x
Islington London 10 1.35x
Poplar London 10 6.91x
Wales 10 166.67x
Whittlesey St Mary St 10 58.96x
Banff 9 65.17x
Clayton 9 48.41x
Kingston On Thames 9 10.03x
Langford 9 276.07x
Paston 9 293.16x
Preston 9 3.70x
St George In East 9 17.26x
Upwell 9 163.93x
Aston 8 1.50x
Brixworth 8 259.74x
Clarborough 8 103.49x
Eye 8 231.88x
Shoreditch London 8 2.41x
Exeter St Lawrence 7 583.33x
Faversham 7 28.06x
Fletton 7 143.74x
Fulham London 7 6.30x
Greenwich 7 5.74x
Leeds 7 1.63x
Linthorpe 7 15.44x
Peterborough 7 13.41x
Portsmouth 7 19.35x
Terrington St John 7 395.48x
Bushey 6 47.69x
Chelsea London 6 2.60x
Dronfield 6 39.01x
Garford 6 666.67x
Hacconby 6 550.46x
Little Bowden 6 238.10x
Market Deeping 6 188.68x
Marston Moretaine 6 194.17x
Standground 6 173.91x
Sutton 6 22.20x
Ashby De La Zouch 5 25.38x
Beddington 5 34.60x
Brightside Bierlow 5 3.36x
Chalgrave 5 217.39x
Froyle 5 248.76x
Heigham 5 7.90x
Helpstone 5 267.38x
Hemington 5 1219.51x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 5 14.13x
Newington 5 1.77x
Oxford St Thomas 5 22.62x
Southill 5 155.28x
Southwell 5 66.49x
Spitalfields London 5 8.67x
Totternhoe 5 268.82x
Walton On Thames 5 29.15x
Wymondham 5 289.02x
Bradwell 4 61.35x
Camberwell 4 0.82x
Chelmsford 4 15.40x
Clapham 4 4.17x
Clipston 4 218.58x
Hackney London 4 0.93x
Leicester St Leonard 4 49.69x
Newport Pagnell 4 41.28x
Newton Upon Trent 4 487.80x
St Luke London 4 3.25x
Marholm 3 681.82x
Walpole St Peter 3 100.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 49
Sarah 36
Elizabeth 28
Jane 17
Ann 14
Harriet 12
Alice 11
Emma 11
Annie 10
Ellen 10
Fanny 10
Eliza 9
Emily 8
Caroline 7
Susan 7
Ada 6
Charlotte 6
Martha 6
Sophia 6
Louisa 5
Lucy 5
Edith 4
Florence 4
May 4
Bertha 3
Clara 3
Elizth. 3
Frances 3
Harriett 3
Jessie 3
Julia 3
Margaret 3
Maria 3
Amelia 2
Anne 2
Esther 2
Ethel 2
Grace 2
Hannah 2
Jessy 2
Laura 2
Mabel 2
Matilda 2
Rebecca 2
Rose 2
Ruth 2
Susanna 2
Susannah 2
C. 1
Ella 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 55
William 51
George 38
Thomas 22
James 18
Alfred 14
Charles 14
Joseph 13
Richard 13
Frederick 10
Henry 9
Robert 8
Samuel 7
Arthur 5
Harry 5
Walter 5
David 4
Edward 4
Frank 4
Abraham 3
Alexander 3
Albert 2
Amos 2
Bennett 2
Earnest 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
Fredric 2
Jno. 2
Robt. 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Ambrose 1
Benjamin 1
Bertie 1
Elijah 1
Ellis 1
Ephraim 1
F.H. 1
Fredc. 1
Frederic 1
Griffiths 1
Henery 1
Hezekiah 1
Hy.D. 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Jethro 1
Zechariah 1

FAQ

Stimson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stimson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 793 people were recorded with the Stimson surname. That placed it at #4,693 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stimson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,317 in 2016. That gives Stimson a modern rank of #4,560.

What does the Stimson surname mean?

Derived from the Old English given name "Stigmond," composed of the elements "stig" (steep) and "mund" (protection).

What does the Stimson map show?

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