This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Simms family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Simms Family History

Simms Surname Meaning

English (Lancashire): variant of Sims.

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


Similar surnames: 

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

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Simms family from?

You can see how Simms families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Simms family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Simms families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 428 Simms families living in Lancashire. This was about 13% of all the recorded Simms's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Simms families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Simms surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Simms ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Simms. 11% of Simms men worked as a General Labourer and 68% of Simms women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Simms were Bricklayer and Incapacitated.

View Census Data for Simms | 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

  • General Labourer
    11%
  • Incapacitated
    4%
  • Colliery Hewer
    4%
  • Bricklayer
    4%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    68%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Incapacitated
    2%

What Simms family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 185,000 census records available for the last name Simms. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Simms census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Simms

Passenger Lists

There are 14,000 immigration records available for the last name Simms. 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 Simms immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 29,000 military records available for the last name Simms. For the veterans among your Simms ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Simms military records

You've only scratched the surface of Simms family history

Discover More

What is the average Simms lifespan?

Between 1942 and 2004, in the United States, Simms life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1950, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Simms in 1942 was 49, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Simms

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Simms ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Simms family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial