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

Nims, 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 Nims surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nims in America

Nims is the 16295th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nims surname appeared 1,770 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 Nims.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nims 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 Nims

The surname Nims has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "Nymmes." This spelling variation suggests that the name may have derived from the Old English word "niman," meaning "to take."

Another theory suggests that the name Nims could be a locational surname, originating from a place in England, though the exact location is uncertain. It is possible that the name was originally associated with a specific town or village, whose name has since been lost or altered over time.

In the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, the name appears as "Nymme," indicating its presence in that region during the 14th century. This record provides further evidence of the name's early usage and spread across different parts of England.

The Nims surname has also been documented in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327, where it appears as "Nymes." This suggests that the name had gained a foothold in multiple counties by the late medieval period.

One notable figure bearing the Nims surname was John Nims, a prominent English landowner and member of the gentry who lived in the 16th century. Records indicate that he owned estates in Hertfordshire and played an active role in local governance.

Another individual of note was William Nims, a 17th-century merchant and ship owner from Bristol. He was involved in the lucrative transatlantic trade and is mentioned in several historical documents related to maritime commerce during that era.

In the 18th century, the Nims surname gained recognition with the birth of Samuel Nims (1717-1804), a renowned American clergyman and educator. He was instrumental in founding several educational institutions in New England and played a significant role in shaping the intellectual landscape of the region.

The 19th century saw the rise of Isaac Nims (1810-1892), an influential American businessman and industrialist. He founded the Nims Manufacturing Company, which produced agricultural machinery and equipment, contributing significantly to the industrialization of the United States.

In more recent times, the Nims surname has been associated with notable figures such as Harry Nims (1888-1966), an American writer and journalist known for his contributions to various newspapers and literary publications.

Throughout its history, the Nims surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, from landowners and merchants to clergymen and industrialists, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and economic fabric of England, America, and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nims

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

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

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

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