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

Wimms, 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 Wimms surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wimms in America

Wimms is the 154907th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wimms surname appeared 105 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 Wimms.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wimms 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 Wimms

The surname Wimms is believed to have its origins in England. It likely dates back to the medieval period, centered around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name is thought to originate from regions in the southern and central parts of England where surnames were becoming more common among the populace.

The surname Wimms may derive from the Old English given name "Winemær," which combines "wine," meaning friend or protector, and "mær," meaning famous. This combination suggests that the name likely referred to someone known for their friendship or renown. It may have also originated as a locational surname from places associated with similar-sounding names such as Wimborne in Dorset or Wimborne St. Giles, both known since the Domesday Book of 1086.

Old records do not have widespread mentions of the surname due to its relative rarity. However, it does appear in certain medieval documents. In the Tax Subsidy Rolls of 1332, there is a mention of one Richard de Wimmes in Northamptonshire, indicating that the name was present in written records as far back as the early 14th century.

One of the earliest recorded examples is Thomas Wimms, born around 1450 in Kent. Thomas Wimms is recognized in local records as a yeoman, indicating he was a freeholder of land. By the late 1500s, Robert Wimms (1571–1638) emerges in historical records in Norfolk, where he was known for his involvement in local municipality affairs as a borough officer.

In the 17th century, another notable figure was John Wimms (1615–1672), who served in the English Civil War on the side of the Parliamentarians. His role, although minor, was documented in military rosters of the time, which contributed to the name’s historical record.

By the 18th century, the surname appears in colonial records of the New World. William Wimms, born in 1695 in England, emigrated to the American colonies and settled in Virginia around 1720. He became a notable planter and his descendants played roles in the early development of the region.

In the early 19th century, Sarah Wimms (1803–1874), a prominent figure, is known for her philanthropic efforts in London. Her work particularly focused on the poor and underprivileged children, making her a well-respected name during the Victorian era.

Through the centuries, the name Wimms, though not exceedingly common, encapsulates a legacy tied with both land and service, reflecting the social and historical contexts of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wimms

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

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

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

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