Surname Nimmo - Meaning and Origin
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Nimmo: What does the surname Nimmo mean?
The last name Nimmo is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is said to have derived from the Gaelic “Mac nimmo” or “Son of Nimmo”. Nimmo itself has several origin possibilities, but likely derives from the Old Norse word “Nym” which means “fierce”, or the Greek word “Nephalios”, which means “headstrong” or “brave”.
The last name Nimmo is also linked to the clothing trade – some variations of the spelling include anim, nimmother and nemmon – which could have been used to denote a tailor.
It is believed that the Nimmo surname first appeared in Scotland during the 13th Century. The earliest record of the name goes back to 1441, when one Andrew Nimmo sold part of his lands in Perthshire.
The majority of Nimmos still live in Scotland with smaller numbers in Ireland and England. It is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The meaning of the last name translates into ancestor worship, respect for history, and a strong sense of heritage and traditions. It is also seen as a symbol of valor and honor, referring to the brave and intrepid nature of the original bearer.
Order DNA origin analysisNimmo: Where does the name Nimmo come from?
The last name Nimmo is quite common throughout Scotland today. It originated from the Gaelic surname Nemet which translates to "noble". It likely originated as a sign of honor, given to a person of importance in the community. It is possible that the family's prominence originated in the south west region, where the surname is most commonly found today.
In Scotland, the last name Nimmo is most often associated with the counties of Ayrshire, Fife, and Dumfries & Galloway. Along the region of Ayrshire, more specifically the coast towns of Troon and Prestwick, the Nimmo surname is quite common. The county of Fife also has a significant population of Nimmo's, especially in the villages of Colinsburgh and Lower Largo.
The surname Nimmo has spread all over the world since the early 19th century. Today, it is quite common in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Additionally, the Isle of Man has a large population of Nimmo's relative to its population.
The meaning of the name Nimmo holds up even in today's time, being passed down from generation to generation. All Nimmo's that have come before and those that will come after are a testament to a long history of strength and honor that the family name will always bring.
Variations of the surname Nimmo
Nimmo is an old Scottish surname derived from the Norse-Gaelic personal name Njal, which was common among settlers in Scotland. It originated in the Scottish Borders, but is now found throughout Scotland and even beyond. The name is considered to be of Norse origin, first found in Norway where it was spelt Niall or Njal.
Variants of the name Nimmo include Nimmo, Nemo, Nimmson, Nimmons, Nimons, Nymons, Nympson, Nympsen, Nympson, Nimsom, Nymso and Nimsen. Middle English spellings included Nimson and Nymsone. Other variants can be seen as Nimmon, Nimmond, Nimmson, Nimson, and Nimott.
The surname is also found in variant forms, along with the two most common spellings, Nimmo and Nimson. Variations of the surname include Nemo, Nemson, Niemson, Nimmon, Nimmond, Nimmons, Nimons, Nympsen, Nymsone, Nemsom, and Nemson.
The first recorded spelling of the surname is noted in 1394 in the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh, where Aldis Nemisone was listed as a witness. The second recorded spelling was in 1667, when a landed proprietor by the name of William Nimson was noted living in Bellisland, Edinburgh.
Today, the surname Nimmo is found in Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and many other countries around the world. The current spelling of the name is taken from the clergyman Thomas Nimmo (1724-1771), who was the first minister of the United Presbyterian Church.
Famous people with the name Nimmo
- Harry Nimmo: Investment Manager and Chief Investment Officer at Standard Life Investment in Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Stephen Nimmo: Actor best known for his roles in Emmerdale and Heartbeat.
- Troy Nimmo: Professional golfer and two-time PGA Tour winner.
- Abi Nimmo: Scottish Singer/Songwriter based in Glasgow.
- Elaine Nimmo: Former British ambassador to Norway, appointed in 2011.
- Pippa Nimmo: Former Director of the Institute for Statistics and Social Economics at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany.
- Christian Nimmo: British actor who appeared in the popular BBC series Sherlock.
- Daniel Nimmo: Professor at the Institute of Education, University of London, specialising in teaching strategies for mathematics.
- Joff Nimmo: Veteran British television director whose credits include The Bill and Casualty.
- John Nimmo: Musician from Edinburgh, Scotland, and member of the band The Happy Family.