Surname Summitt - Meaning and Origin

Summitt: What does the surname Summitt mean?

The last name Summitt is derived from the Middle English word, ‘sumet’, which means ‘summit’ or ‘top’. This surname was commonly attributed to people who lived in places of high elevation or who had reached great heights. It may also be associated with people who had achieved unusual academic or professional success, as the term ‘summit’ is used to refer to the peak of attainment. Summitt is also the name of a small village in Herefordshire, England which is located on top of a steep hill.

The name ‘Summitt’ is associated with a sense of being the highest point in an area and is a fitting surname for anyone who has accomplished something great. It is also a reminder of the need to strive for excellence and is often perceived as a testament to one’s determination and ambition. The surname is popular in England, the United States, Canada, and Australia as well as in other countries with historic ties to the British Isles.

Summitt: Where does the name Summitt come from?

The surname Summitt is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southern regions of the country. According to the US Census in 2020, the highest concentration of people with the last name Summitt are in Tennessee, followed by Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia.

The surname Summitt is thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word somat, meaning “summit.” It is likely that the name was given to a person who lived near or on the top of a hill or mountain.

The surname Summitt is particularly associated with the University of Tennessee women's basketball programme, which is led by Hall of Fame Coach Pat Summitt. Popularly known as the “Summitt of the South”, Pat moulded the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols into a powerhouse winning eight national titles.

Today, the Summitt name is most often seen among the multiple generations of the family involved in the University of Tennessee's basketball programme. Other Summitts are thought to be descendents who have since moved away from the South and trace their family roots even further back.

Variations of the surname Summitt

The surname Summitt is of English and occasionally Scottish origin. It is derived from the Middle English "sommet", meaning the top or summit of a hill. Variants of the surname include Sommet, Sommitt, Sommit, Sumit, Somit, Soumitt, Soumet, Sommet, Somt, Smit, Smett and Smit.

Spellings of the surname include Sommet, Sommitt, Sommit, Sumit, Somit, Soumitt, Soumet, Sommet, and Somt.

Variant spellings of Summitt that can be found in records include Summett, Sumett, Sommitt, and Somett.

Surnames of similar origin to Summitt include Soumett, Soumette, Smet, and Smit. These are derived from similar Old English words meaning at the top of a mountain or hill.

The Irish form of the surname is "Somada" and is derived from the Irish language ‘somaire’ meaning ‘one who converges towards a summit’.

The variants of Summitt are not to be confused with similar sounding surnames like Sommers, Sumner, and Simmons, which all have different origins. Sumner is an occupational surname derived from the term ‘sumener’ which means a man or farmer who deals with goods or goods, while Simmons is derived from the name Simon and is of biblical origin. Sommers however, is derived from the Middle English word ‘sumers’ meaning ‘swimmer’ or ‘diver’.

Famous people with the name Summitt

• Pat Summitt: legendary NCAA basketball coach who helped the University of Tennessee Lady Vols to 18 Final Four appearances and eight NCAA Championships
• Ross Summitt: former American professional ice hockey player
• Tyler Summitt: basketball coach and the son of legendary Pat Summitt
• Micki Summitt: assistant women's basketball coach for the Lady Vols
• Lindsay Summitt: former professional volleyball player
• Scott Summitt: former assistant coach for the UT Lady Vols
• Holly Warlick: current head coach of the Lady Vols, former assistant coach to Pat Summitt
• Tyler Summitt: American professor, author and public speaker
• Lauren Summitt: ice hockey player
• Allie Summitt: American track and field athlete, daughter of Pat Summitt
• David Summitt: American Major League Baseball pitcher
• Taylor Summitt: former professional wrestler known for her stint in the World Wrestling Entertainment
• Seven Summitt: professional skateboarder from San Francisco

Other surnames

Summit