NameCensus.

UK surname

Trimmer

An occupational surname referring to a carpenter or one who trims or cuts wood.

In the 1881 census there were 595 people recorded with the Trimmer surname, ranking it #5,878 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 587, ranked #8,864, down from #5,878 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Farringdon, Odiham and Rotherwick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hart, Worthing and Cheshire West and Chester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Trimmer is 787 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.3%.

1881 census count

595

Ranked #5,878

Modern count

587

2016, ranked #8,864

Peak year

1911

787 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Trimmer had 595 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,878 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 587 in 2016, ranked #8,864.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 787 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Trimmer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Trimmer surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Trimmer 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 439 #5,600
1861 historical 390 #6,567
1881 historical 595 #5,878
1891 historical 614 #6,271
1901 historical 748 #5,954
1911 historical 787 #5,536
1997 modern 649 #7,664
1998 modern 662 #7,798
1999 modern 661 #7,845
2000 modern 665 #7,799
2001 modern 646 #7,837
2002 modern 659 #7,864
2003 modern 631 #8,001
2004 modern 631 #8,018
2005 modern 605 #8,227
2006 modern 604 #8,246
2007 modern 601 #8,349
2008 modern 597 #8,452
2009 modern 595 #8,649
2010 modern 627 #8,493
2011 modern 612 #8,546
2012 modern 596 #8,658
2013 modern 607 #8,662
2014 modern 605 #8,757
2015 modern 591 #8,828
2016 modern 587 #8,864

Geography

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Where Trimmers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Farringdon, Odiham, Rotherwick, Alton and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hart, Worthing, Cheshire West and Chester and Bassetlaw. 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 Farringdon Hampshire
2 Odiham Hampshire
3 Rotherwick Hampshire
4 Alton Hampshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hart 004 Hart
2 Hart 006 Hart
3 Worthing 013 Worthing
4 Cheshire West and Chester 006 Cheshire West and Chester
5 Bassetlaw 001 Bassetlaw

Forenames

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First names often paired with Trimmer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Trimmer

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Trimmer, 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 Trimmer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Trimmer 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Trimmer is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Trimmer 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

Trimmer falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Trimmer 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 Trimmer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Trimmer

The surname Trimmer is of English origin, derived from the occupational name for a maker or seller of trimmed goods, such as clothing or furnishings. It is believed to have originated in the late 12th century, during the Middle English period.

The name is likely derived from the Old English word "trymman," which means "to trim" or "to decorate." It is also possible that the name is related to the Old French word "trimer," meaning "to arrange or trim."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Trimmer can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire, compiled in 1273, which mentions a person named William le Trymmer.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as Trymour and Trymor, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation during that time.

A notable historical figure bearing the name Trimmer was Sarah Trimmer (1741-1810), an English writer and critic who advocated for the education of children and published several educational works.

Another individual of note was Henry Trimmer (1684-1765), an English clergyman and antiquary who served as the rector of Rochford in Essex and wrote several works on the history of the county.

In the 17th century, the surname Trimmer was found in various parts of England, including Lincolnshire, Essex, and Yorkshire. One example is John Trimmer (1633-1703), a prominent merchant and landowner in Beverley, Yorkshire.

The name Trimmer has also been associated with certain place names, such as Trimmer's Green in Buckinghamshire and Trimmer's Farm in Essex, indicating the presence of families with this surname in those areas.

Other notable individuals with the surname Trimmer include William Trimmer (1786-1866), an English architect and surveyor who designed several buildings in London, and Charles Trimmer (1856-1942), an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Trimmer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Trimmer 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. Hampshire leads with 210 Trimmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.77x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 210 17.77x
Surrey 126 4.49x
Middlesex 103 1.79x
Sussex 44 4.53x
Kent 23 1.17x
Essex 21 1.85x
Wiltshire 14 2.75x
Gloucestershire 9 0.80x
Somerset 9 0.97x
Berkshire 6 1.39x
Monmouthshire 6 1.44x
Norfolk 6 0.68x
Devon 4 0.33x
Bedfordshire 2 0.67x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.55x
Northamptonshire 2 0.37x
Westmorland 2 1.58x
Ayrshire 1 0.23x
Suffolk 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alton in Hampshire leads with 39 Trimmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 437.71x.

Place Total Index
Alton 39 437.71x
Rotherwick 28 3076.92x
Farnham 24 109.89x
Battersea 23 10.84x
Holybourne 18 1538.46x
Barking 14 42.04x
Paddington London 14 6.60x
Binderton 12 6000.00x
Basingstoke 11 80.94x
Brighton 11 5.61x
Farringdon 11 956.52x
Kensington London 11 3.43x
Richmond 11 27.95x
Camberwell 10 2.72x
Clapham 10 13.88x
Froyle 10 662.25x
Southampton St Mary 10 13.46x
Mile End Old Town 9 9.89x
Greenwich 8 8.72x
Idmiston 8 701.75x
Merton 8 162.60x
Odiham 8 154.14x
Wells St Andrew 8 963.86x
Elvetham 7 752.69x
Gloucester St Mary Lode 7 264.15x
Hackney London 7 2.17x
Liss 7 291.67x
St Maurice Winchester 7 142.57x
Winchfield 7 972.22x
Bermondsey 6 3.50x
Portskewett 6 618.56x
Rotherhithe 6 8.42x
St Pancras London 6 1.29x
Stoke 6 45.25x
Westminster St James 6 10.12x
Acton 5 14.79x
Deptford St Paul 5 3.30x
Ealing 5 9.71x
Lambeth 5 0.99x
Newnham 5 704.23x
Penge 5 13.58x
Priors Dean 5 1515.15x
Teddington London 5 38.28x
Bosham 4 161.29x
Chelsea London 4 2.30x
Heston 4 20.89x
Marlborough St Peter St 4 152.67x
St Clement Danes 4 42.87x
St George Hanover 4 5.32x
West Dean 4 275.86x
Westbourne 4 82.64x
Aldershot 3 7.58x
Bramshill 3 1111.11x
East Stratton 3 447.76x
Hampstead London 3 3.34x
Hampton London 3 31.65x
Hound 3 37.41x
Lee 3 10.50x
Norwich St Mary In Marsh 3 303.03x
Reading St Mary 3 8.66x
Shoreditch London 3 1.20x
St Marylebone London 3 0.97x
Stoke Damerel 3 3.57x
Subdeanery 3 40.71x
Billingford In Mitford 2 322.58x
Broomfield 2 111.73x
Chawton 2 215.05x
Guildford Friary 2 227.27x
Hartley Wintney 2 56.34x
Nether Graveship 2 165.29x
Portsea 2 0.86x
Putney 2 7.61x
Sheet 2 156.25x
St Faith Winchester 2 36.30x
Swindon 2 5.06x
West Ham 2 0.80x
Chatham 1 1.85x
Islington London 1 0.18x
Southampton All Sts 1 4.93x
St George In East 1 2.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 41
Elizabeth 24
Sarah 19
Annie 17
Eliza 15
Jane 14
Ann 9
Charlotte 9
Alice 8
Ellen 8
Emma 8
Fanny 8
Harriet 8
Emily 7
Caroline 6
Edith 6
Harriett 5
Louisa 5
Agnes 4
Lucy 4
Martha 4
Anne 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Isabella 3
Margaret 3
Rose 3
Augusta 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Grace 2
Julia 2
Lily 2
Maria 2
Rebecca 2
Almona 1
Amelia 1
Bertha 1
Elizabth. 1
Elizth.J. 1
Elsie 1
Emme 1
Emmeline 1
Henrietta 1
Isabel 1
Jemima 1
Jessie 1
Joanna 1
Judith 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 37
George 29
James 22
Henry 20
John 19
Charles 13
Thomas 12
Alfred 11
Arthur 9
Edward 8
Frederick 8
Richard 6
Albert 5
Ernest 5
Frank 5
Joseph 5
Robert 4
Daniel 3
Harry 3
Jonah 3
Thos. 3
Willm. 3
Benjamin 2
David 2
Edwin 2
Herbert 2
Horace 2
Augustus 1
Bertie 1
Edmund 1
Fielding 1
Francis 1
Fredirick 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Hargreaves 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Jim 1
Kirby 1
Luke 1
Mark 1
Philip 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Solomon 1
Stephen 1
Walter 1
Will 1

FAQ

Trimmer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Trimmer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 595 people were recorded with the Trimmer surname. That placed it at #5,878 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Trimmer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 587 in 2016. That gives Trimmer a modern rank of #8,864.

What does the Trimmer surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a carpenter or one who trims or cuts wood.

What does the Trimmer map show?

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