Sumption History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Sumption name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Sumption is derived from the baptismal name for the son of Summer, a personal name given to a child who was born in the summer. 1

Looking at the surname and many of its variants over the past couple of hundred years, one can only presume that this is the logical and only explanation for the surname's origin. However, let's explore some contrarian explanations. The name could have been derived from "De Someri, a baronial family. Ralph de Summeri of Normandy temp. John. From Sommeri, near Rouen. " 2

The name could have been derived from the "personal-name Sumor but there is no evidence from the use of such a person named in the Domesday Book or later." 3

This noted author continues "the surname is probably identical with the Scottish "Simmer." In Scots, somer is 'a sumpter,' [(packhorse, mule, beast of burden)]applied to men and horses alike." 3 We shall leave the reader with the perplexing conundrum.

Early Origins of the Sumption family

The surname Sumption was first found in Worcestershire they trace their ancestry to the manor of Whiteladies.

One of the earliest records of the family was John Somer, Semur, Somerarius (fl. 1380), "Minorite astronomer, belonged to the Franciscan house at Bridgewater, and was probably at Oxford in 1380. " 4

One of the more interesting family members was William Sommers (died 1560), who is said to have been Henry VIII's fool and a native of Shropshire and "at one time a servant in the household of Richard Fermorq of Easton Neston, Northamptonshire. Brought by his master to the court at Greenwich, 'on a holy day,' about 1525, the king is reported to have noticed favourably his witty sallies and to have installed him at once in the royal household as the court fool. According to tradition, Sommers was soon on very familiar terms with the king. He puzzled him with foolish riddles, and amused him by playing practical jokes on Cardinal Wolsey. " 4

Early History of the Sumption family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sumption research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1440, 1554, 1560, 1603, 1610, 1651, 1690, 1697, 1716, 1759, 1791, 1824 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Sumption History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sumption Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Sumption were recorded, including Somers, Sommers, Summers, Sommer, Summer, Somerton, Sommerton, Sumpton, Sumption and many more.

Early Notables of the Sumption family

Distinguished members of the family include Henry Somer (fl. 1440), Chancellor of the Exchequer, probably a relative of John Somer, Clerk of the Exchequer in the early years of Henry IV; and William 'Will' Sommers (or Somers) (died 1560), the best-known court jester of Henry VIII of England from Shropshire.Admiral Sir George...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sumption Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sumption family to Ireland

Some of the Sumption family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 136 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sumption migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sumption Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Sumption, (b. 1819), aged 24, English groom who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years for coining, transported aboard the "Cressy" on 28th April 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Sumption (post 1700) +

Thomas M. Sumption, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Havre de Grace, Maryland, 1877-88 6
Hiram L. Sumption, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Minnesota, 1908 6

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st May 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cressy
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html