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

Ims, 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 Ims surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ims in America

Ims is the 123064th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ims surname appeared 140 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ims.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ims 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 Ims

The surname IMS has its origins in the Netherlands, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Dutch word "ims," meaning "honeycomb" or "beeswax." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to an occupation or trade related to beekeeping or the production of honey and beeswax products.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name IMS can be found in the Dutch city of Utrecht, where a merchant named Pieter IMS was mentioned in a municipal record from 1592. It is possible that the name was initially concentrated in this region before spreading to other parts of the Netherlands and beyond.

In the early 17th century, a family with the surname IMS was recorded as residing in the town of Delft, which was known for its thriving pottery industry. It is speculated that members of this family may have been involved in the production or trade of beeswax-based materials used in pottery glazes or other crafts.

During the 18th century, the surname IMS gained some prominence in the Netherlands, with notable individuals bearing the name. One such figure was Johan IMS (1720-1792), a respected scholar and theologian who served as a professor at the University of Leiden.

Another prominent individual was Willem IMS (1745-1811), a Dutch naval officer and explorer who captained several voyages to the East Indies and authored a detailed account of his travels.

In the 19th century, the IMS surname began to spread more widely across Europe and beyond. One notable bearer was Friedrich IMS (1835-1908), a German engineer and inventor who patented several important advances in steam engine technology.

Another significant figure was Marie IMS (1867-1945), a Belgian artist and sculptor who gained recognition for her intricate works in bronze and marble, many of which were inspired by nature and classical themes.

As the surname IMS traveled beyond its Dutch origins, it underwent various spelling variations, including Ims, Imms, and Ymes. These variants can be found in historical records from countries such as Germany, France, and England, reflecting the migration patterns of those bearing the name.

While the surname IMS may not be among the most common globally, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and various fields, from academia and the arts to exploration and technology. Its origins in the Netherlands and association with beekeeping and related trades have contributed to the unique legacy of this surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ims

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

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 Ims 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 Ims 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 Ims was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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