Surname Simon - Meaning and Origin

Simon: What does the surname Simon mean?

The surname Simon is derived from the Hebrew personal name "Shim'on" meaning "he has heard". It primarily originated from the biblical apostle Simon Peter, a popular name during the Middle Ages in Europe among Christians. Over time, it developed into different forms in various languages, including Simeon in Greek, Simon in French, and Simón in Spanish. The surname Simon was often given to someone who was said to resemble or act like the apostle Simon in some way. Furthermore, it was sometimes used as an occupational name given to those who performed the annual play to commemorate the apostle Simon. In many cases, Jewish people also used this name in honor of the second son of the patriarch Jacob. As a surname, Simon can be traced back to multiple countries, including England, France, Germany, Hungary, and others, in various spellings. Therefore, understanding its exact ethnic origin may require individual genealogical research.

Simon: Where does the name Simon come from?

The surname Simon is derived from the Hebrew personal name, Shim'on, and is most common in countries with strong Jewish heritage, such as Poland, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Germany. In these countries, the name is often spelled Symon or Simyon. The name is also quite common in France and other French-speaking countries, and can be seen spelled Simon, Simons, or even Semoun.

Simon is one of the most common surnames in the US, ranking at 230 out of 88,799 last names. It is especially common in the Southern states, such as North and South Carolina, as well as Texas. There is also a higher rate of Simon surnames in the MidWest, including Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

At the global level, the name Simon ranks 355th in popularity. Australia is another country where Simon is common, particularly in New South Wales. In Canada, it is the 227th most common surname, and it is also quite common in South America and the Caribbean, particularly in Haiti. The name is also seen in some parts of the Middle East, particularly in Israel.

Overall, it is clear that the surname Simon is very popular and has been adopted by many cultures across the world.

Variations of the surname Simon

The surname Simon is an old and very popular family name with a variety of spellings and possible origins. It can be traced back to ancient France, where it was often used as a diminutive of the name Simon. It is also found in Spain, Italy, Germany, and some Scandinavian countries.

Variant spellings of the surname Simon include Simons, Simmonds, Symonds, Simond, Simonton, Simonetti, Simonet, Symans, and Simione. Common surnames with similar origins and spellings are Simone, Simmonds, Symorns, and Simonsen.

The history of the name Simon is complicated and diverse, and its various spellings and origins vary by country and region. In France, for example, it could refer to a hereditary master craftsman; in Spain, it could refer to an eccentric scholar; in Italy, it could refer to a wealthy landowner; and in Germany, it could refer to those of Teutonic descent.

The surname Simon is also found in the United States due to immigration. It is believed that the earliest immigrants to use the name Simon were French Huguenots who arrived in America in the early 1600s. This family name continues to appear in North America throughout the following centuries, providing a diverse array of spellings and surnames.

Regardless of its many spellings and varied origins, one thing is certain: the Simon family name is an old and distinguished one with a long and storied history.

Famous people with the name Simon

• Paul Simon: Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter known for his folk-rock sound and for being half of the musical duo Simon & Garfunkel
• Robin Simon: British art historian and critic, and Emeritus Professor of History of Art at the University of Manchester
• Richard Simon: French priest, theologian, critical Biblical scholar and founder of the ‘Higher Criticism’
• Art Simon: former chief executive officer of Georgetown University
• Harry H. Simon: American landscape architect who designed notable public gardens and landscapes
• Michel Simon: French actor and one of the masters of French cinema
• John Simon: English film, theatre and literary critic as well as a playwright and screenwriter
• Eric Simon: Man Booker Award-winning English novelist
• Judith Simon: German philosopher and professor
• Alan B. Simon: American composer, songwriter, and pianist.
• Michael Simon: former assistant commissioner of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and human rights activist
• Carole King: American pop singer-songwriter, who changed her name to ‘Carole King’ from birth name ‘Carole Joan Klein’
• Carly Simon: Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter
• Lucy Simon: American composer and lyricist
• Gail Simon: Professor and Chair of the Faculty at Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard
• Gustave Simon: 19th-century French sculptor
• Wendy Simons: American doctor who specializes in family medicine
• Mario Simon: German boxer and three-time European Boxing Union champion
• Peter Simon: British journalist, photographer and media entrepreneur
• David Simon: Emmy-winning American writer, reporter and producer of television series such as The Wire and Treme.

Other surnames

SimokatSimonaitSimonbauerSimondSimondsSimoneSimoneitSimonekSimonenkoSimonerSimonikSimonisSimonmeierSimonmeyerSimonnSimonoffSimonovSimonovaSimonowSimonowaSimonsSimonsenSimonskySimonsmeierSimonsmeyerSimonsohn