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Nelms Family History

Nelms Name Meaning

English: topographic name for someone who lived near or amid a grove of elm trees from misdivision of Middle English atten elmes ‘at the elms’ (see Elm ).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: Elm, Helm, Fels, Ness, Elms, Kelm, Melms, Wells, Delmas, Delfs

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

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Where is the Nelms family from?

You can see how Nelms families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Nelms family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1840 and 1920. The most Nelms families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 58 Nelms families living in Gloucestershire. This was about 23% of all the recorded Nelms's in United Kingdom. Gloucestershire had the highest population of Nelms families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Nelms surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What did your Nelms ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Glove Cutter (leather) and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Nelms. 24% of Nelms men worked as a Glove Cutter (leather) and 85% of Nelms women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Nelms were Carpenter and Domestic Duties. .

View Census Data for Nelms | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Glove Cutter (leather)
    24%
  • Dairy Farmer
    16%
  • Builders Labourer
    16%
  • Carpenter
    16%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    85%
  • Old Age Pensioner
    4%
  • Shorthand Typist
    4%
  • Domestic Duties
    4%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Nelms family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 25,000 census records available for the last name Nelms. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Nelms census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Nelms

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Nelms. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Nelms immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 5,000 military records available for the last name Nelms. For the veterans among your Nelms ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Nelms military records

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What is the average Nelms lifespan?

Between 1953 and 2004, in the United States, Nelms life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1954, and highest in 1995. The average life expectancy for Nelms in 1953 was 59, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Nelms

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