Surname Samson - Meaning and Origin

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L. Samson

Samson: What does the surname Samson mean?

The surname Samson is of Hebrew origin and means "sun" or "sun child." The name is derived from the biblical character Samson, known for his extraordinary strength. Historically, the name Samson was often given to someone strong and powerful, or to an individual born on a Sunday - the day of the sun. The surname has proliferated in various forms worldwide, influenced by regional, cultural, and linguistic differences. It is found widely within Christian communities, owing to its biblical origin. The variants of this name include Sampson in English, Shimshon in Hebrew, Sansão in Portuguese, and Sansón in Spanish, among others. Therefore, the last name Samson denotes a person associated with strength and powerful qualities, drawing from the symbolism of sun as a powerful and life-giving entity.

Samson: Where does the name Samson come from?

The last name Samson is most common historically in Europe. It has its roots in the Hebrew bible, where Samson was the legendary strongman who defeated the Philistines with superhuman strength.

Today, Samson can be found in many countries around the world, including France, Germany, Russia, England, Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, the name is still fairly common, but is most plentiful in southern states, particularly Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

In France, the name is particularly widespread in the Normandy and Bretagne regions. In England, the name Mr.Samson is a common given name amongst the citizens of Suffolk. In Scotland, it is more common in the north, particularly Aberdeenshire and Angus.

Most people who bear the name descend from Normans, although many can trace their lineage back to the Vikings. It is quite possible that there are even more people of Scandinavian origin, who carry the name but are simply unaware of it.

No matter its origin, the Samson name is one that is not likely to die out anytime soon. It will probably remain around for many more generations to come.

Variations of the surname Samson

The surname Samson is generally derived from the Hebrew given name Shimshon, which itself is a shortened form of the biblical name Shimshon ben Manoah (or Samson son of Manoah). The name means “bright sun”. The origin of the surname dates back to Biblical times, when man of the same name was a judge of Israel. As the name is widely spread throughout the Western world, there are some variants and alternate spellings for it, such as Sanson, Sampson, Shimson, or Simmons.

In some countries, the name has evolved into patronymic variants, such as Sampsonovich, Sampsonov, Sampsonsky, Sampsonova, or Samsonov, while in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, it has developed in the form of matronymic surnames, such as Sampsonovna, Samsonova, Sampsonova, or Shamsheva.

The surname is also found in various other languages, in the form of alternative spellings and derivatives. For instance, the French variant of the name is Samsonneau, the Dutch equivalent is Sampsom, the Scandinavian variant is Sampsen, and the German version is Sampson. Additional variants include Shamir (Hebrew), Samyn (Flemish), and Szamszon (Polish).

In short, while the origin of the surname Samson is traced back to a Biblical figure, it has developed substantially throughout the years, taking various forms and spellings, and largely depending on the cultural background of its carriers.

Famous people with the name Samson

• Don Samson: NFL fullback from the 1967-1968 season's.
• Fabian Samson: Filipino international footballer.
• Mullen Samson: former Kenyan cricketer.
• Will Samson: English singer-songwriter and musician.
• Charles Samson: former Scottish amateur football player and manager.
• César Samson: French classical violinist.
• Dave Samson: American former Major League Baseball player.
• Abie Samson: German-born American cinematographer best known for his work in television.
• Emmanuel Samson: Nigerian football coach and former defender.
• Rob Samson: Canadian former left-winger ice hockey player.
• Iggy Samson: famous Maltese entrepreneur and media personality.
• Gilles Samson: French former professional footballer.
• Marcel Samson: Canadian former professional ice hockey player.
• Yvonne Samson: Canadian former synchronized swimmer.
• Robby Samson: Canadian professional wrestler.
• Joseph Samson: esteemed Haitian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Edd Samson: American actor and singer.
• Eric Samson: South African industrial magnate.
• Barry Samson: Canadian former professional ice hockey player.
• LeGarrette Blount: American professional football running back whose middle name is Samson.

Other surnames

SaadiSaalmannSaalmuellerSaalmüllerSaamanthaSaamerSaanthaSaarlandSaatciSaatkampSabadilSabadillSabanciSAbanorSabathielSabathilSabbaghSabelSabineSaboSabolSabolcecSabolekSabolovic