Surname Symington - Meaning and Origin
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Symington: What does the surname Symington mean?
The last name Symington is thought to be of Scottish origin. It is likely derived from the words "simon", which means "son of Simon", and "tun", which indicates a settlement or town. The name is derived from the surname Simonton and is associated with the Symington family, who once lived in the Scottish region of Angus.
The Symington family has a long history of being associated with prominent clans in Scotland such as the Macdonalds, Frasers, and Grants. This connection likely provided the Symingtons with a lot of influence in the region, especially during the Middle Ages and beyond.
Throughout its history, the Symington name has been a part of many influential families that have had an impact on both Scotland and the world. The Symingtons participated in the Scottish Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, with many members becoming prominent figures in science, military, and politics.
The Symingtons have also produced some renowned members over the centuries, with famous names such as William Symington, inventor of the steam engine, and James Symington, a prolific inventor in the motor industry during the Industrial Revolution.
Today, many descendants of the Symington family still use the name as their surname and live in both Scotland and throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSymington: Where does the name Symington come from?
The last name Symington is especially common in Scotland today. However, the root of the name is found in major parts of England and Europe.
The Scottish variation of this name has it roots in the 12th century. It was first found in Midlothian where they held a family seat from ancient times. The earliest recorded form of this name was found in 1160 in Sir Adam de Syminton which was recorded in the pipe rolls of Roxburghshire.
The family name is also found in Northumberland, the historic county of Northumbria in northern England. The last name first appeared in that region during the reign of King Edward I in 1272.
The name is also found in Northern Ireland, where it is believed to be part of the Scots-Irish immigration there, beginning as early as the 16th century.
In the United States, Symington has been found in major concentrations in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, New York, Ohio, and Michigan.
The modern Symington name is believed to have first appeared in Scotland during the 13th century, but other variations of the name have been traced as far back as the 11th century. The Scottish version of the name seems to be by far the most common, but it is still found in several other places in Europe and the Americas.
Variations of the surname Symington
The surname Symington is derived from the Scots-Gaelic personal name “Semonton”, meaning “seemingly strong one”. It is the surname of several families that descended from the ancient Picts of Scotland. Variants of Symington include: Simington, Symingtoun, Seminton, Simonton, Simintoun, Syminton, Semintonn, Simintoun, Symintoun, Symintoune, Simontonn, Symintonne and Simmentone.
Spelling variations of Symington include: Symyngton, Syminton and Symngton. Surnames of the same origin as Symington include: Sempill and Syminton.
The Symington family is found mostly in the county of Aberdeenshire in Scotland. It is also sometimes found in England and Ireland. Although their numbers are not large, the family has been prominent in local affairs.
The Symington family is descended from Farquhar de Syminton, or Simon, who was the “lay Abbot of Melrose” in the later 13th century and held lands in the Lauderdale area of Scotland. His descendents were prominent in the area. In later centuries, the family moved to Edinburgh.
The family generally held high offices in society, including governorships, military officers, ministers, and sheriffs. Many of the Symingtons of the 18th century were part of the social elite, holding important positions in government and industry. They were also well-known in science and medicine.
Today the family is found distributed in small numbers in Scotland, Ireland, and England. Surnames such as Simington, Symyngton, and Syminton are direct descendents of the original 'Semonton'.
Famous people with the name Symington
- Charles Symington: US Navy admiral
- David Symington: English actor
- Gail Symington: Canadian adventurer
- Jon Symington: UK politician
- Keith Symington: British politician
- Maureen Symington: Canadian ambassador
- Micah Symington: Canadian historian
- Peter Symington: English rower
- Ryan Symington: Canadian race car driver
- Stuart Symington: American businessman and politician
- Tim Symington: American musician
- Winston Symington: British actor