Surname Simmons - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Ancestral Origins of the Surname Simmons Through the iGENEA DNA Test

Tracing my ancestry with the iGENEA DNA test was like embarking on a journey through time. It illuminated the historical and geographical origins of my surname, Simmons, creating a deeper understanding of my lineage, connecting me with medieval England and possibly Viking roots.

Q. Simmons

Simmons: What does the surname Simmons mean?

The surname Simmons is of English origin and is derived from the biblical name Simon or Simeon. It is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Simon.' The Hebrew name Simon translates to 'hearken' or 'listen,' while Simeon means 'he who listens.' Therefore, in a broader sense, the surname Simmons can be interpreted as 'descendant of the one who listens'. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages and after the Protestant Reformation due to reverence for the apostle Simon, which led to its adoption as a given name and subsequently as a surname. It is predominantly found in English-speaking countries but variations of this name are seen in other cultures as well. It spread across the world due to colonization and immigration. There are different spellings of this surname including Simons, Simeons, and Simmonds. Notable people with this surname include American entrepreneur Russell Simmons, and NBA player Ben Simmons.

Simmons: Where does the name Simmons come from?

The last name Simmons is an English surname derived from the patronymic "Simone," which is a version of the biblical name "Simon." The name was initially borne by people who were descended from Simon, a disciple of Jesus. As such, the surname has most commonly been found in countries with a heavy Christian influence, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Despite its English-speaking origins, Simmons has become fairly widespread around the world. It is especially common in the United States, where it ranks as the 78th-most-common surname. There, it is particularly prevalent in the southern and western parts of the country, with notable concentrations in states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

In the United Kingdom, Simmons appears to be most concentrated in England's Southeast, particularly in the regions surrounding London. It is also present in greater numbers in cities such as Glasgow and Belfast, which have large Christian populations.

Overall, the Simmons surname is common in many English-speaking countries. It is still strongly associated with its Christian origins and is most frequently found in countries that are predominantly Christian today.

Variations of the surname Simmons

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Simmons are: Symens, Simonson, Simmonds, Simonsen, and Simmerson.

The origin of the surname Simmons is English. It is believed to be a patronymic name deriving from the personal name Simon. Simon derives from the biblical name Simeon which means to "hear" in Hebrew.

The surname Simonsen is a Scandinavian version of Simmons, derived from the personal name Simon and was mainly found in the Norwegian language.

The spelling Simmonds is found in medieval records in England, and is derived from the old English personal name Simund.

Simmerson is a rare spelling of Simmons, but it is made up of the old English personal name Sim and the suffix -son which comes from the Scandinavian language and was used to create a patronymic name, meaning ‘son of Simon’.

Symens is a rare variant of Simmons. It was found in the tax records of 1327 in the counties of Essex, Kent and Surrey. It may be derived from the Hebrew personal name Simeon or from the French Simon.

The spelling variations of Simmons can be found all over the English speaking world, have been used in times past to create patronymic surnames and are still used today.

Famous people with the name Simmons

• Gene Simmons: Lead singer of the rock band KISS.
• Nicky Simmons: British actress, represented by AVO Talent.
• Richard Simmons: American fitness guru and television personality.
• Russell Simmons: American hip-hop mogul and founder of Def Jam Recordings.
• Jean Simmons: English actress from the 1940s to 1980s.
• Joseph Simmons: Rapper, elder brother of Russell Simmons and known as pastor Reverend Run from the hip-hop group Run-D.M.C.
• Kourtney Simmons: American pro golfer on the LPGA Tour.
• Leander Simmons: American actor, best known for his role in The Misfits as Roscoe.
• Lillian Simmons: American actress and singer, best known for her Broadway performance in Ben-Hur and as Mrs. P in the cult classic, The Blob.
• Leona Simmons: Canadian actress, best known for roles in films such as The Christmas Story, Friday the 13th Part 3, and Private School.

Other surnames

SimmonSimmondsSimmoteit