Nelms — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #4,833 in the US 7,303 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#4,833
▲ Up 145 since 2000
People in the US
7,303
2.48 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Nelms Surname

What does the last name Nelms mean?

The surname Nelms carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 7,303 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Nelms ranks as the #4,833 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Nelms come from?

The Nelms surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Nelms name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Nelms trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Nelms
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #4,833
US Count (2010) 7,303
Per 100K People 2.48
First Letter N

Ethnic Distribution of Nelms

According to the US Census, the Nelms surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 7,303 Americans with the Nelms last name.

White 74.75%
Black 20.18%
Hispanic 2.49%
Asian/PI 0.45%
Native American 0.41%
Two+ Races 1.71%
Ethnic distribution of the Nelms surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White74.75%
Black20.18%
Hispanic2.49%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.45%
Native American0.41%
Two or More Races1.71%

Popularity of Nelms Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Nelms surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#4,978
6,477 people
Up 145
Census 2010
#4,833
7,303 people

The number of Americans with the Nelms surname increased by 826 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Nelms Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Nelms ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Nelms

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Nelms.

Other Unknown Surnames

Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Nelms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nelms

The surname Nelms is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Nelms is ranked #4,833 in the United States with approximately 7,303 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Nelms surname is distributed as: 74.8% White, 20.2% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Nelms ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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