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Lima Family History

Lima Surname Meaning

Spanish: possibly from lima ‘file’. Portuguese: topographic name for someone living on the banks of the river of this name (of pre-Roman origin probably akin to a Celtic element lemos limos ‘elm’).

In some cases probably also Albanian: nickname or metonymic occupational name from limë (definite form lima) ‘file rasp’ also ‘cornhusking tool’.

This surname is rare in Albania and Kosovo.

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


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Where is the Lima family from?

You can see how Lima families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Lima family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1851 and 1920. The most Lima families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 13 Lima families living in London. This was about 35% of all the recorded Lima's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Lima families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Lima surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Lima ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Lima. 78% of Lima women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Lima | 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 Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    78%
  • Shorthand Typist (produce)
    23%

What Lima family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 17,000 census records available for the last name Lima. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Lima census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Lima

Passenger Lists

There are 19,000 immigration records available for the last name Lima. 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 Lima immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 3,000 military records available for the last name Lima. For the veterans among your Lima ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Lima military records

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