Jim

Origin: The surname Jim is of Scottish and Northern Irish origin, derived from the personal name "Jim", a diminutive of the name James. The name James itself comes from the Latin "Iacomus", which was a variant of "Iacobus", the Latin form of the Hebrew name "Ya'aqov" (Jacob).

Meaning: The surname Jim indicates a descendant of a person named James. The name James is of Hebrew origin, meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows".

Distribution: The surname Jim is relatively rare, with a concentration of individuals bearing this surname found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The name has spread to other English-speaking countries through migration and settlement.

Variants: Variants of the surname Jim include Jimm, Jims, and Jimson.

Famous Bearers: Noted individuals with the surname Jim include fiction author Sarah Jim, British historian Alan Jim, and soccer player Jamie Jim.

Coat of Arms: The Jim family crest features elements such as a lion rampant, a shield, and various heraldic symbols associated with strength, nobility, and loyalty.

Legacy: The surname Jim has a longstanding history, reflecting the heritage and traditions of the British Isles. It represents a connection to the personal name James, a name that has been prominent in British history and culture.


This entry provides an overview of the origin, meaning, distribution, variants, famous bearers, coat of arms, and legacy of the British surname Jim.

There are approximately 487 people named Jim in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named Jim.

Region of origin: Asia

Country of origin: China

Language of origin: Chinese

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Bobby
  • Chi
  • Chung
  • Daniel
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Keith
  • Kevin
  • Nelson
  • Pak
  • San
  • Wai
  • William

Female

  • Amy
  • Angela
  • Emma
  • Esther
  • Fung
  • Julia
  • Kam
  • Karine
  • Lai
  • Lily
  • Mei
  • Vivian
  • Wendy
  • Wing
  • Yah-lai

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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