Surname Symes - Meaning and Origin

Symes: What does the surname Symes mean?

The last name Symes is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the medieval personal name Sim(me), which is a short form of the given name Simon. In this context, Simon is derived from the Hebrew name Shim'on, meaning "hearkening" or "listening". The surname Symes would then roughly translate to "son of Sim(me)", following the common patronymic tradition in English surnames. Its variants include Symms, Simms, and Sims among others. It is primarily found in the English-speaking world, especially in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its Anglo-Saxon roots, it also became prevalent in Ireland during the 17th century due to migration and settlement. Thus, Symes is a last name that indicates a familial or ancestral connection to someone named Sim(me) or Simon. Overall, it is a part of the broader tradition of surnames that derived from given names.

Symes: Where does the name Symes come from?

The last name Symes can be found all over the world, but is most prevalent in English speaking countries. It first originated in the county of Devon in England. In the United States, the surname can be found in parts of the Midwest and New England. In Canada, Symes can be found in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. In Australia, the last name Symes is most commonly found in Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales. The UK Census of 2011 mentions 2,755 people with the last name Symes, with the majority of them living in England and Wales.

The popularity of the Symes surname varies greatly depending on the country. The UK based site forebears.io ranks the surname as the 42,799th most popular, while in the US, it is 22,116th. New Zealand ranks the surname at 11,269th, while Canada places it at 36,912th. Overall, it is a relatively uncommon last name.

The last name Symes originated from the Old English word "symmes", which referred to someone who lived near or set up shop near a timber bridge. Over the centuries, this name has undergone various spellings, but the common link among them all is the timber bridge.

Variations of the surname Symes

The surname Symes is an English patronymic. It is derived from the given name Simon, which is derived from the Hebrew שִׁמְעוֹן (Ṣimʻon, "hearkening") and its form in Greek (Σίμων Simōn) and its equivalent in other European languages. In England, the patronymic is usually spelled Symes, and in Scotland it is usually spelled Syme. Other variants of the surname include Symmes, Simms, Simes, Symms, Symes, and Simons.

The name is also found in other European countries, spelled with their respective phonetic equivalents, such as Symes (Switzerland), Simas (Portugal), and Simoes (Spain and Portugal). In France, the surname is usually spelled as Siméon or Simmonnet.

It is also found among Americans of European descent, including those descended from early settlers and immigrants. It is usually spelled as Simms or Symmes, and occasionally as Syms and Symes. In the United States, Symes is the most common spelling.

Etymologically related surnames include Simons, Simmons, Symons, Symms, Symmes, and Simmonds. Some of these may even be the same surname, with different variations due to transcription errors caused by spelling conventions changing over time.

Since the early 1600s, the Symes surname has been found in England, Scotland, Ireland, and, more recently, in the United States and Canada. As far as research has revealed, it does not appear to have any connection to the Symes surname in New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Symes

• Lee Symes: British politician, was elected Member of the European Parliament for the East Midlands from 1989-1999
• Bruce Symes: Australian rules footballer who played for the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League
• Dawn Symes: British playwright and television producer, known for her musicals and plays
• Fraser Symes: English local councillor in South Cambridgeshire District Council
• Gary Symes: English cricketer who plays for Essex CCI, England Lions, and Ireland U19
• Gordon Symes: Scottish international footballer, also played for Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian
• Gavin Symes: Former Australian international cricketer, member of the New South Wales side that won the 2008-09 Sheffield Shield
• John Symes: Founding executive producer and host of WYPR in Baltimore, Maryland
• Mark Symes: English footballer who played for various teams in the Football League
• Stephen Symes: Producer of the ABC documentary series Four Corners and former managing director of ABC Television

Other surnames

Syme