Surname Sammis - Meaning and Origin
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Sammis: What does the surname Sammis mean?
Sammis is an English surname that is derived from a personal name. The name is believed to be derived from the personal name Samuel, which is a Hebrew name meaning “name of God.”
Historically, Sammis was most likely used to refer to the son of a man named Samuel. Over time, this name became used as a surname. Variations of the surname include: Sampson, Sammon, and Sammonne.
The Sammis family was associated with several noteworthy names throughout history. For example, in America, Thomas Sammis was appointed the Navy Commissioner in 1797 and John Sammis founded and was the first president of the City Bank of New York, now Citigroup.
Today, the Sammis surname is most predominant in England. It has also been used by several prominent people, including stage actor Stanley Sammis, playwright Bill Sammis, and composer Joseph Sammis.
Overall, the surname Sammis is derived from the personal name Samuel and has been used by prominent members of society over the years.
Order DNA origin analysisSammis: Where does the name Sammis come from?
The last name Sammis is an English surname derived from a location in Suffolk, England. Today, the surname is still found in England, primarily in Suffolk, but is also common in other parts of the United Kingdom, such as Norfolk and Shropshire. Sammis is one of the few English surnames still found in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada. It is also found in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In the U.S., author and naturalist Henry Lyman Sammis (1873-1964) played an important role in popularizing the Sammis name in the Northeast. The Sammis name is historically strongest in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, but also extends into Pennsylvania and, to a lesser extent, New York. The family was very prominent in the Narragansett Bay area and the name appears in local history books.
In the twenty first century, the Sammis family continues to be a global presence, particularly in Anglophone countries. There is a network of Sammis family organizations both in the United States and in England, many of which are active in their respective countries and in promoting the family's history. A Facebook group exists for those bearing the Sammis name or wishing to learn more.
Variations of the surname Sammis
The surname Sammis is believed to have derived from the medieval English given name 'Semys', which is derived from a personal name from the Greek ‘Simon’. It is also believed to have derived from the medieval English given name Semon, which is derived from a name of Hebrew origin meaning "hearkening".
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include; Semmes, Semis, Semmons, Simmes, Simons, Simmons, Semys, Sammys, Samsons, Samms, and Sammy.
The surnames Sammis, Semmes, Simons and Simmons are quite common and all bear the same origin.
The name Semmes originated from a Norman family of ancient morals. They settled in Scotland in the twelfth century, and their original seat was located in the parish of Craig in Forfarshire.
The Semon or Simons surname is of Ancient German origin, and is derived from the personal name Simon. It is a variant spelling of the more commonly known Simmons surname.
The Sammis name can also be found in the regions of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Lancashire and Yorkshire. It also has variants in the form of Sammy and Sam.
In Scotland, the name Samms is also found, and is believed to have originated from the Simson family who settled in the East Lothian parish of Humbie in the 12th century.
The variant Sammys, although used less in Britain, can still be found not only in countries across Europe, but also in such places as Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Overall, the surname Sammis has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, and these have spread out all over the world.
Famous people with the name Sammis
- Christopher Sammis: An American actor who began his professional career in 2011. He is best known for his starring role in the high school telenovela, Inocente de Ti.
- Doyle Sammis: A former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder who played from 1942 to 1943 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and from 1945 to 1946 for the Chicago Cubs.
- Joanne Sammis: An American singer-songwriter and guitarist from the 1960s and 70s who released a number of folk-rock albums.
- Emma Sammis: A 19th Century American novelist best known for her book, Texas, the Lone Star State.
- David Sammis: A former American football coach who was the head coach of the Pennsylvania State University football team from 1901 to 1907, and the University of Pittsburgh's team from 1908 to 1913.
- C. L. Sammis: A former American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as mayor of Cleveland, Ohio from 1878 to 1879.
- Jim Sammis: A former Olympic speed skater, who competed in the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games.
- Seth Sammis: An American 19th Century businessman and philanthropist who founded the Sammis Opera House and founded the town of Newington, New Hampshire.
- Carl Sammis: An American doctor and scientist in the 1950s who developed one of the first methods of treating schizophrenia using electroshock therapy.
- T. W. Sammis: An author from the 1800s who wrote The Solar System: Its Creation, History, and Phenomena in 1895.