Pim History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Pim

What does the name Pim mean?

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Pim came from the name Euphemia where it is a short form of that name. The surname Pim originally derived from the Old English word Pymma which came from Euphemia. The surname Pim referred to the son of Euphemia which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames. 1

Early Origins of the Pim family

The surname Pim was first found in Somerset where the family can be "traced to Philip Pym, of Brymmore, 12 Edward IV." 2 Indeed, there is much debate about the origin of this name. Another reference claims "considering that Eufemia is fairly common in the Hundredorum Rolls, that Pimme is feminine, and Phemie is still the nickname, it all but certain that we have here the solution of the name in question. Personally I have no doubt that this derivation is correct. " 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists the following: Eufemmia de Neville in Lincolnshire; Katerina Eufemme in Norfolk; Pimme, widow of Peter Seman in Cumberland; Bartholomew filius Pimme in Hunts; Chun Pimme in Cambridge and finally, Henry Pimme in Cambridge. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, list Agnes Pyme and Johannes Pymson. 3

In Somerset, Roger Pym was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III) 4 "The family of John Pym, the regicide, were of respectable antiquity in Somersetshire, being traced to Philip Pym, of Brymmore, co. Somerset, 12. Edward IV. " 2

Early History of the Pim family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pim research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1440, 1584, 1615, 1641, 1643, 1648, 1660, 1663 and 1671 are included under the topic Early Pim History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pim Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Pim has been recorded under many different variations, including Pym, Pymm, Pyme, Pymme, Pim, Pimm, Pimme and others.

Early Notables of the Pim family

Distinguished members of the family include John Pym (1584-1643), English statesman from Bridgwater, Somerset who moved for the impeachment of advisers to Charles I; his actions led to the English Civil War; and Sir...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pim Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pim family to Ireland

Some of the Pim family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pim migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Pim or a variant listed above:

Pim Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Dorothy Pim, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 5
Richard Pim, who landed in Maryland in 1679 5
Alice Pim, who landed in Maryland in 1679 5

Pim migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pim Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

D.E. Pim, aged 30, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Oregon" 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Pim (post 1700) +

Sir Alan William Pim (d. 1958), English Colonial Administrator
Bedford Capperton Trevelyan Pim (1826-1886), British admiral in the Royal Navy from Bideford, Devonshire; he proposed an expedition in search of Franklin to the north coast of Asia in 1851
Sarah Pim (1746-1832), businesswoman and Quaker benefactor in Clonmel, Country Tipperary, Ireland
Jonathan Pim (1858-1949), Irish lawyer and Liberal politician, Solicitor-General and Attorney-General for Ireland
Jonathan Pim (1806-1885), Irish philanthropist and Liberal politician, MP for Dublin
Willem Bernard Pim (1934-1996), Dutch jazz pianist
Dr. Joshua Pim (1869-1942), medical doctor and a renowned Irish amateur tennis player
Sir Richard Pike Pim (1900-1987), Knight, Inspector-General of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland
Robert Pim Butchart (1856-1943), Canadian cement manufacturer from Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
Pim de la Parra (1940-2024), Surinamese-Dutch film director

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The barque OREGON, 521 tons - 1851 voyage to South Australia. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Oregon.htm