NameCensus.

UK surname

Tim

A surname derived from the Middle English name "Timme", a diminutive of Timothy.

In the 1881 census there were 26 people recorded with the Tim surname, ranking it #29,911 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 134, ranked #25,636, up from #29,911 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hertsmere, Watford and Burnley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tim is 134 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 415.4%.

1881 census count

26

Ranked #29,911

Modern count

134

2016, ranked #25,636

Peak year

2016

134 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tim had 26 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,911 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016, ranked #25,636.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 41 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Tim surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tim surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tim 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 41 #25,926
1881 historical 26 #29,911
1901 historical 10 #33,026
1997 modern 12 #36,785
1998 modern 15 #36,457
1999 modern 17 #36,261
2000 modern 13 #36,635
2001 modern 13 #36,483
2002 modern 15 #36,381
2003 modern 19 #36,011
2004 modern 20 #36,053
2005 modern 23 #35,924
2006 modern 28 #35,665
2007 modern 31 #35,592
2008 modern 33 #35,556
2009 modern 34 #35,608
2010 modern 41 #35,358
2011 modern 59 #34,265
2012 modern 78 #33,044
2013 modern 85 #32,658
2014 modern 110 #29,294
2015 modern 118 #27,833
2016 modern 134 #25,636

Geography

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Where Tims 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 Hertsmere, Watford and Burnley. 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 Hertsmere 008 Hertsmere
2 Watford 009 Watford
3 Burnley 011 Burnley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tim

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Tim is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Tim 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

Tim falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Tim 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Tim

The surname Tim has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English personal name Timma, which is a diminutive form of the name Timothy, meaning "honoring God" or "honored by God." The name was particularly common in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Tima. This suggests that the name was already in use during the time of the Norman Conquest. In the 13th century, the name was recorded as Tym in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire.

The surname Tim is also believed to have been influenced by the Old Norse name Tumi, which was derived from the word "tūmr" meaning "empty" or "vacant." This connection may explain the presence of the name in areas of England with strong Viking influence, such as the East Midlands and East Anglia.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Tim was often associated with place names, such as Timberland and Timworth. The latter was a small village in Suffolk, and its name is thought to have derived from the Old English words "tim" meaning "timber" and "worth" meaning "enclosure" or "farm."

One notable figure with the surname Tim was Sir John Tim, a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for Norfolk in the 14th century (born around 1320, died around 1390). Another was William Tim, a wealthy merchant from York who lived in the 15th century (born circa 1420, died circa 1490).

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various spellings, including Tymme, Tymmes, and Timms. One such individual was John Timms, a renowned clockmaker from London (born around 1550, died circa 1620). In the 17th century, there was Thomas Tim, a prominent scholar and author from Cambridge (born 1612, died 1677).

Another notable figure was Sir Samuel Tim, a successful businessman and philanthropist from Bristol, who lived in the 18th century (born 1725, died 1798). He was known for his contributions to the city's infrastructure and support for various charitable causes.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tim families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tim 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. Derbyshire leads with 2 Tims recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.13x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 2 13.13x
Nottinghamshire 2 15.26x
Sussex 2 12.20x
Cornwall 1 9.08x
Cumberland 1 11.93x
Durham 1 3.46x
Staffordshire 1 3.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bingham in Nottinghamshire leads with 2 Tims recorded in 1881 and an index of 3333.33x.

Place Total Index
Bingham 2 3333.33x
Hastings All Sts 2 1333.33x
Outseats 2 20000.00x
Byers Green 1 1250.00x
Eskdale Wasdale 1 5000.00x
St Agnes 1 666.67x
Wolverhampton 1 39.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 3
Elth. 1
Jane 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
AH 1
Benjamin 1
James 1
John 1
Joseph 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 Tim households.

FAQ

Tim surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tim surname in 1881?

In 1881, 26 people were recorded with the Tim surname. That placed it at #29,911 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tim surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016. That gives Tim a modern rank of #25,636.

What does the Tim surname mean?

A surname derived from the Middle English name "Timme", a diminutive of Timothy.

What does the Tim map show?

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