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

Nelums, 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 Nelums surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nelums in America

Nelums is the 82317th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nelums surname appeared 229 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 Nelums.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nelums 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 Nelums

The surname Nelums has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word 'nellan,' meaning 'to dare' or 'to be bold.' This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who displayed a courageous or daring personality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nelums can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a census-like record from 1279. Here, the name is spelled as 'Nelom.' This variant spelling provides evidence of the name's antiquity and its evolution over time.

In the 14th century, the Nelums surname appeared in various historical documents, such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, where it was recorded as 'Nelome.' This record suggests that the name was prevalent in the northern counties of England during this period.

A notable figure bearing the Nelums name was John Nelums, a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for Buckinghamshire in the late 15th century. He played a significant role in local politics and left a lasting impact on the region.

During the 16th century, the Nelums surname was also found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Here, the name was sometimes spelled as 'Nellums,' indicating the fluidity of spelling conventions at the time.

One of the most renowned individuals with the Nelums surname was Sir Thomas Nelums (1555-1630), a successful merchant and philanthropist from London. He amassed a considerable fortune through his trading ventures and used his wealth to establish several charitable foundations, leaving a lasting legacy in the city.

Another notable figure was Elizabeth Nelums (1683-1756), a prominent landowner and benefactor from Gloucestershire. She was instrumental in funding the construction of several churches and schools in the region, contributing significantly to the local community.

In the 18th century, the Nelums surname gained prominence in the literary world with the poet and playwright, William Nelums (1735-1803). His works, which explored themes of nature and rural life, were widely acclaimed during his lifetime.

Throughout its history, the Nelums surname has been associated with various occupations and social classes, from landowners and merchants to writers and philanthropists. While its origins may be rooted in a descriptive nickname, the name has evolved to encompass a diverse range of individuals who have left their mark on various aspects of society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nelums

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

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

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

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