Surname Samuels - Meaning and Origin

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M. Samuels

Samuels: What does the surname Samuels mean?

The surname Samuels is of Hebrew origin, derived from the personal name 'Samuel' that means "name of God" or "God has heard". The ending 's' signifies 'son of', implying that the original bearer of the name was the 'son of Samuel'. This surname was adopted by many Ashkenazic Jews during the compulsory acquisition of hereditary family names in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it is common among individuals of Jewish and non-Jewish heritage alike. It is prevalent in English-speaking countries but can be found in various forms worldwide, reflecting the spread of Jewish diaspora communities.

Samuels: Where does the name Samuels come from?

The last name Samuels is an English and Jewish surname that is very common today, particularly in the United States. In the 2000 U.S. Census, Samuels was the 856th most popular last name overall, and the 133rd most popular among African Americans.

In England, the Samuels family is originally descended from an ancient royal house that dates back to the Norman Conquest. They were initially known as de Samuels, derived from the ancient Gaelic word "os", which means "high" or "exalted". They adopted the name "Samuels" when it became something to be proud of in the late 17th century.

The Samuels surname is still prominent in England and other parts of Europe today, especially in countries such as Germany, France, and Norway. In the United States, the Samuels family has spread to nearly every state and can be found in large numbers in states such as Florida, New York, California, and Illinois.

Alternatively, the name can also be traced back to a Jewish origin, relating to the Hebrew word "Samuel" which means "name of God". This origin is popular among people with Jewish ancestry in the United States, particularly Ashkenazi Jews.

In summary, the last name Samuels is a fairly common surname today, especially in the U.S. It has both English and Jewish origin, with the English version originating during the Norman Conquest and the Jewish version referring to the Hebrew word for "name of God".

Variations of the surname Samuels

The surname Samuels is an anglicized form of the Hebrew name Shim’on, which means “hearkening” or “listening”. It has many other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, many of which are related to the different languages in which the name has been used.

In Spanish, the name is spelled Samueles, while in French it is Samuels or Samul. In German the variant form is Samuelson, while in Portuguese it is Samueles. In Dutch, the spelling is Samuelse, and in Swedish it is Samuelsson. In Yiddish, the name is sometimes spelled Shymyel.

Some of the surnames related to the name Samuels are Samuelson, Samuelsohn, Shmyel, Shmuelev, Sima, Samela, Samuelian, Sams, Sames, Sanner and Semmelfagger. All of these surnames can be traced back to the same origin, with slight variations in spelling or pronunciation.

The name Samuels has been used by many historical figures throughout the centuries. Some notable individuals include the biblical figure Samuel the Prophet, theologian Archbishop of Canterbury Samuel Butler, US politician Samuel Morse and poet William Butler Yeats.

Though the name Samuels originated in Hebrew, it is now used by many different nationalities and cultures around the world. This is indicative of the global reach of the surname, and the various derivations and spellings it has taken on in different languages.

Famous people with the name Samuels

• Anna Samuels: An actress who appeared in films such as 'The Wrestler', 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and 'The Killing'.
• Halle Samuels: An Olympic swimmer who represented the United States at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
• Fred Samuels: An American professional basketball player who last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA.
• Dorrie Samuels: An American voice actress who portrayed Minor Miracles in the Anime series, Digimon Frontier.
• John Samuels: An English rock drummer, best known as the drummer for the band, The Charlatans.
• Lee Samuels: An American former professional boxer, who contested for and won the WBC featherweight title in 1988.
• Paul Samuels: A prominent American businessman who is currently the CEO of several major companies, including Samuels, Inc.
• Tracey Samuels: A Jamaican professional cricketer who plays for the West Indies Women's cricket team.
• Tyson Samuels: An Australian professional soccer player who currently plays for the Melbourne City FC in the A-League.
• Mitchell Samuels: An American trial lawyer specializing in antitrust, securities and white collar criminal defense.

Other surnames

SamuelSamuell

Comments or additions to the name "Samuels"

20.12.2023
Dwight Samuels, Author of The Seeker and The Sought! A Book About his Actual Spiritual Experience in The Heavens! Available on Amazon.