Find out how popular the last name Deems is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Deems.

Deems, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Deems surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Deems in America

Deems is the 18457th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Deems surname appeared 1,499 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Deems.

We can also compare 2010 data for Deems to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Deems

The surname Deems has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "deme," which means "a judge or umpire." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who held a position of authority or played a role in resolving disputes.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Deems can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1190, where a person named Roger Demes is listed. This document provides evidence of the name's existence during the medieval period in England.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "de Eme," "de Emes," and "de Emis," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the scribes' interpretations.

The Deems surname is also associated with several place names in England, such as Dems in Somerset and Demes in Oxfordshire. These place names may have contributed to the development of the surname, as people were often identified by their place of origin or residence.

One notable individual bearing the surname Deems was John Deems, a prominent merchant and landowner in London during the 16th century (c. 1520-1590). Records show that he owned properties in various parts of the city and was involved in trade activities.

Another figure of historical significance was Robert Deems (1642-1720), a Puritan minister and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Taunton, Somerset. He published several religious works, including "The Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures" and "A Treatise on the Sacraments."

In the 18th century, Samuel Deems (1726-1798) was a notable figure in the American colonies. He served as a captain in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and fought in several battles, including the Battle of Monmouth.

The 19th century saw the rise of William Deems (1844-1923), an American industrialist and philanthropist. He founded the Deems Steelworks in Pittsburgh, which played a significant role in the city's industrial growth. Deems also donated funds for the establishment of schools and hospitals in the region.

Another prominent individual with the Deems surname was Mary Deems (1870-1955), a pioneering educator and women's rights activist. She founded the Deems School for Girls in New York City, which aimed to provide quality education to young women from diverse backgrounds.

These examples illustrate the historical significance of the Deems surname and its association with individuals who made notable contributions in various fields, ranging from religion and education to business and military service.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Deems

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Deems.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Deems was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Deems has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Deems was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Deems, please contact us.

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