Surname Syme - Meaning and Origin
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Syme: What does the surname Syme mean?
Syme is a Scottish surname of medieval origin. It is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century name “Sigmund”, a compound of the elements "sige", meaning victory, and "mund", meaning protection. Over time, the name was shortened to Sym and later became Syme. It's also believed to have been used as a nickname for someone who was a messenger or a symbol carrier.
As with many surnames, it's thought to have multiple origins, hence its different forms and regional concentrations. Syme is common in Scotland, particularly East Lothian, where many members of the Syme family were historically based. Its variants include Sym, Sim, Sime and others. The many prominent individuals bearing this last name include historical figures as well as significant personalities in academic, cultural and other fields in Scotland and other parts of the world.
Therefore, the name Syme typically signifies victory and protection. It speaks to ancestry in Scotland and a lineage that traces back to medieval times.
Order DNA origin analysisSyme: Where does the name Syme come from?
The last name Syme is most commonly found in Scotland. This is due to the surname's Scottish origins, which are believed to go as far back as the 16th century. Over the years, the name has traveled to other parts of the United Kingdom and to other countries.
In Scotland the surname Syme is mostly found in the Central Belt, around the city of Edinburgh. In the latest 2019 census for Scotland, Syme was the 1,979th most popular name. The largest concentrations are in the districts of West Lothian, North Lanarkshire, Falkirk and Perth and Kinross.
The surname is also found in other parts of the United Kingdom and Europe such as Ireland, England and Wales. In England, it is most common in the London area. It further extends to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and United States. In the United States, the surname is most prevalent in the states of Massachusetts, New York and California.
Outside of the United Kingdom, Syme is particularly common in Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The most concentrated populations seem to be in the northeast of Germany, in the states of Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Overall, the last name Syme seems to have global reach and is easily traceable back to its Scottish roots.
Variations of the surname Syme
The surname Syme is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Symm, a form of Simon. Variants of the surname Syme vary depending on the particular spelling, but include Symm, Symes, Symons, and Simms.
The common spelling Syme is itself derived from the old Anglo-Norman French word 'sime', which translates to 'equal'. It is likely that this was a surname given to people who embodied a sense of fairness or equality, or who had a strong sense of justice.
The variant forms of the surname Syme include Symm, Symes, and Symons. Symm is derived from the Middle English word symmen, meaning 'to make equal'. Symes and Symons are likely to be derived directly from the original Anglo-Saxon personal name, Symm. Simms is derived from the French word simmes, which is also derived from 'sime'.
The surname Syme is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the father's personal name. As Great Britain developed, the use of fixed surnames became more common, and so this surname was passed from father to son. It can also appear as an occupational surname, derived from a trade or profession.
The Syme surname is also found in Scotland and in some European countries, as a result of migration from the UK over the years. People with a variant spelling of the surname, such as Symm, Symes or Simms may have emigrated from Scotland to other countries.
Overall, the surname Syme is an old Scottish name, derived from the Medieval personal name, Symm. It has many variant spellings, including Symm, Symes, Symons and Simms. It is also a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the father's given name, and can also refer to an occupational surname, derived from a trade or profession. The surname can be found in Scotland and other countries, as a result of migration from the UK over the years.
Famous people with the name Syme
- Rod Syme: Australian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Victoria for the Greens party from 2006 to 2014 and was re-elected in 2014.
- Tim Syme: Canadian actor, best known for his recurring roles on Canadian television series such as The Good Witch, The Listener, Numb3rs, Instant Star, Redemption Inc., and Sob Sisters.
- Patrick Syme: Scottish landscape painter, renowned for his accurate and detailed topographical works.
- Kenneth Syme: British rugby union player who represented London Scottish in the 1920s.
- Peter Syme: Canadian Anglican priest who served as the Bishop of Ottawa from 1997 to 2011.
- Alexander Syme: Scottish businessman who founded the draper's firm called Syme & Co. in the late 19th century.
- Henry Syme: Mayor of Melbourne from 1889 to 1890 and the Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Sandridge from 1892 to 1895.
- Michael Syme: Australian geologist and academic who became the first full-time Professor of Geology at the University of Melbourne in 1929.
- Peter Syme: Australian entrepreneur and investor who founded the Sydney-based property development firm Syme Group. 10.Craig Syme: Scottish footballer who played for Ashfield, Falkirk, Motherwell, Airdrieonians, Hibernian and Queen of the South between 1992 and 2007.