| ![Show Contents]() Slim History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The distinguished surname Slim emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. Flemish surnames of this type frequently are prefixed by de la or de le, which mean of the or from the. The Slim family originally lived in some place which experts suggest was named Slanie or Slaney. The surname Slim belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads, or other places. Early Origins of the Slim familyThe surname Slim was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat from early times. Rodolphe de Slanie or Slane accompanied the Empress Maude into England about the year 1110. Over in Ireland, Philip of Slade (died 1326), was Bishop of Cork, born at Slane in Meath. "He became a Dominican friar, and on 20 Feb. 1321 was papally provided to the bishopric of Cork, receiving the temporalities on 17 July following. " 1 Early History of the Slim familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Slim research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1595 and 1631 are included under the topic Early Slim History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Slim Spelling VariationsFlemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Slaney, Slanie, Slane, Slayney and others. Early Notables of the Slim familyMore information is included under the topic Early Slim Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Slim family to Ireland
Some of the Slim family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Slim migration to the United States | + |
In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Slim
Slim Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Thomas Slim, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 2
- Peter Slim, who landed in New Jersey in 1769 2
| Contemporary Notables of the name Slim (post 1700) | + |
- Field Marshal William Joseph "Bill" Slim KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DSO, MC, KStJ (1891-1970), 1st Viscount Slim, an English officer, diplomat and author, 13th Governor-General of Australia (1953-1960); he wrote novels, short stories, and other publications under the pen name Anthony Mills
- Mongi Slim (1908-1969), Tunisian diplomat, the first African to become the President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1961
- Slim Pickens (1919-1983), stage name of Louis Burton Lindley, Jr., American actor and cowboy best remembered for his comic roles, notably in Dr. Strangelove and Blazing Saddles
- Slim Summerville (1892-1946), born George Joseph Somerville, an American film actor and director best known for his work in comedies
- Slim Chaker (1961-2017), Tunisian politician, Minister of Youth and Sports (2011), Minister of Finance (2015–2016) and Minister of Public Health (2017)
- Slim Willet (1919-1966), born Winston Lee Moore, an American disc jockey, musician, and songwriter, inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 1994
- Slim Gaut (1893-1964), American film actor who appeared in over 15 films between 1940 and 1956
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Deo duce comite industria
Motto Translation: God is my guide, industry my companion.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. 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)
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Slim migration to the United States 
England
Scotland
Ireland
