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 Sum family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Sum Family History

Sum Surname Meaning

Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 沈 based on its Cantonese pronunciation see Shen. Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 岑 based on its Cantonese pronunciation see Cen. Chinese: variant Romanization of the surname 覃 see Tan or Qin.

Cambodian: written ស៊ុំ of Chinese origin but unexplained etymology (possibly corresponding to one of the surnames above). Amerindian (Guatemala): unexplained.

Slovenian and Czech (Šum): nickname for a noisy person from šum ‘noise rustle’ or as a Slovenian surname a topographic name from dialect šum ‘waterfall’. Compare Shum.7:

Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic): artificial name from Polish sum ‘wels sheatfish’ a species of catfish.

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 Sum family from?

You can see how Sum families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Sum family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Sum families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 13 Sum families living in London. This was about 30% of all the recorded Sum's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Sum families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Sum 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 Sum ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and New Worker were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Sum. 23% of Sum men worked as a Laborer and 34% of Sum women worked as a New Worker. Some less common occupations for Americans named Sum were Salesman and Stenographer.

View Census Data for Sum | 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.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    23%
  • Cook
    11%
  • Proprietor
    9%
  • Salesman
    9%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • New Worker
    34%
  • Teacher
    23%
  • Housekeeper
    23%
  • Stenographer
    23%

What Sum family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 7,000 census records available for the last name Sum. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Sum census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Sum

Passenger Lists

There are 7,000 immigration records available for the last name Sum. 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 Sum immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 4,000 military records available for the last name Sum. For the veterans among your Sum ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Sum military records

You've only scratched the surface of Sum family history

Discover More

What is the average Sum lifespan?

Between 1950 and 2004, in the United States, Sum life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1961, and highest in 1991. The average life expectancy for Sum in 1950 was 58, and 74 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Sum

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Sum 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 Sum family tree

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