Sampson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland

Etymology of Sampson

What does the name Sampson mean?

The surname Sampson is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. Sampson comes from the Norman personal name Samson. As with the French version of the name, the root name Sanson or Samson is an Old French name given to "a Welsh bishop (fl. 550) who crossed over to Brittany and founded the abbey of Dol where he was buried and venerated as a saint. Whether his name is the Biblical Samson or one of Celtic origin is uncertain. Probably from Saint-Samson (Seine-Inférieure), or from Saint-Samson (Calvados), Saint-Samson-de-Bonfosse (La Manche) or Saint-Samson-de-la-Roque (Eure)." 1

Early Origins of the Sampson family

The surname Sampson was first found in Gloucestershire, but the family was quickly scattered throughout Britain as they claim descendancy from "De St. Sampson, from the lordship near Caen, Normandy. Ralph de St. Sansom accompanied the Conqueror, and [by] 1086 held estates in several counties. William Sampson, his descendant, was summoned to Parliament as a Baron 1297-1304. " 2

"A well-known monastery near Rouen was built by the Archbishop of Dol, known as St. Sansone or St. Sampson." 3

Sanson is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, but the entry does not list what county. 4 As a forename, Samson, Sansone, Sampson Takel was listed in Lincolnshire and Samson Cornuwala was found in Yorkshire c. 1170. The Pipe Rolls of 1130 for Nottinghamshire lists Hugo Samson as holding lands there at that time. In Lancashire, Philip Sampson was listed there in 1192 and in Somerset, we found Hemericus Samsun in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1221. 1

"The name was popular in Yorkshire and the eastern counties where it was introduced by the Bretons after the Conquest, and also in the Welsh border counties where it no doubt came from Wales." 1

Interestingly, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 includes only entries for the name as a forename: Sansum le Rus, Cambridgeshire; Samson de Baterford, Bedfordshire; and Sampson de Boxe, Wiltshire. 3

Samsom (died 1112), was and English divine, Bishop of Worcester, born at Douvres near Caen, was the son of Osbert and Muriel, who were of noble lineage.

Samsom (1135-1211), was Abbot of St. Edmund's, born at Tottington, near Thetford in Norfolk. "When nine years old he was taken by his mother on a pilgrimage to St. Edmund's. 'As a poor clerk,' he received gratuitous instruction from a schoolmaster named William of Diss. " 5

Early History of the Sampson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sampson research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1112, 1517, 1554, 1589, 1590, 1600, 1612, 1627, 1629, 1636, 1667, 1668, 1680, 1700, 1736, 1756, 1769 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Sampson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sampson Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Sampson, Samson and others.

Early Notables of the Sampson family

Nicolas Sanson (1600-1667), a French cartographer of Scottish descent; William Sampson (1590?-1636?), an English dramatist from Retford, Nottinghamshire; and his son, Henry Sampson (1629?-1700), an En...
Richard Sampson (d. 1554), was an English divine, bishop successively of Chichester and of Coventry and Lichfield and was educated at Clement Hostel and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Thomas Sampson (1517-1...

Sampson World Ranking

the United States, the name Sampson is the 817^th most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Sampson is ranked the 846^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,325 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Sampson is the 597^th popular surname with an estimated 6,542 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Sampson as 811^st with 900 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Sampson as 942^nd with 7,369 people. 10 South Africa ranks Sampson as 899^th with 7,761 people. 11

Migration of the Sampson family to Ireland

Some of the Sampson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sampson migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Sampson or a variant listed above were:

Sampson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Henry Sampson (Samson) arrived on the "Mayflower" in 1620
Harry Sampson, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 13
Abraham Sampson, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1629-1630 13
Robert Sampson, who arrived Massachuetts aboard the "Arbella" with the Winthrope Fleet in 1630, he was bound for Boston. 13
Mr. Richard Sampson, (b. 1607), aged 28, British tailor travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Elizabeth and Anne" arriving in Massachusetts Bay (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire) in 1635 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sampson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Sampson, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 13
Christopher Sampson, who landed in Virginia in 1717 13
James Sampson, who landed in America in 1760-1763 13
Dewald Sampson, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1765 13
Peter Sampson, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1765 13

Sampson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Sampson, aged 41, who landed in New York in 1806 13
Joseph Sampson, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1806 13
John Curran Sampson, aged 16, who landed in New York in 1810 13
Catharine Anne Sampson, aged 14, who landed in New York in 1810 13
Grace Sampson, aged 40, who landed in New York in 1810 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sampson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Richard Henry Sampson, (b. 1882), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1904 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA 15
Benedick Severin Sampson, who landed in Wisconsin in 1921 13

Sampson migration to Canada +

Sampson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

William Sampson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
William Sampson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Edward Sampson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Theophilus Sampson, who arrived in Quebec in 1784
Aaron Sampson, who arrived in Quebec in 1784

Sampson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Janet Sampson, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1848

Sampson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. Ebenezer Sampson, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12

Third Fleet

Mr. Peter Sampson, (b. 1767), aged 20, English settler convicted in London on 7th July 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13

Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Sampson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Sampson, English convict who was convicted in Lincolnshire (Parts of Lindsey), England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
William Sampson, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. James Sampson, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 1st October 1829, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
Mr. Densley Sampson, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 19
Mr. William Sampson, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Dunvegan Castle" on 13th March 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sampson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sampson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles Sampson, (b. 1818), aged 22, English agricultural labourer born in Netherbury travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 21
Mrs. Mary Sampson, (b. 1817), aged 22, English settler born in Dorset travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 21
Miss Marina Sampson, (b. 1840), aged 9 months, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 21
Gerard de Thierry Sampson, aged 33, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 22
Ellen Sampson, aged 27, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sampson migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23

Sampson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Peter Sampson, who settled in Barbados in 1670

Contemporary Notables of the name Sampson (post 1700) +

Virginia Reid Sampson (1916-1955), stage name Lynne Carver, American film actress
Zabdiel Sampson (1781-1828), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts 8th District, 1817-20; Resigned 1820; U.S. Collector of Customs, 1820-28; 24
William J. Sampson Jr., American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1956 25
William Sampson, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kentucky, 1912 25
Warner J. Sampson, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 3rd District, 1902 25
Steven Sampson, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nevada, 2000 25
Oscar C. Sampson, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1972 25
Nicholas Sampson (b. 1844), American Republican politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives 19th District, 1901-04 25
John R. Sampson, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Bennettsville, South Carolina, 1878-81 25
... (Another 44 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Sampson family +

Bradford City stadium fire

Jayne Sampson (1967-1985), from Leeds who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and she died in the fire
Mr. William Sampson (1861-1914), English Chief Engineer From Toxteth Park, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and survived the sinking 25
Mr. Samuel Sampson (1881-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Guelph, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26
Mr. Joseph Sampson (1880-1917), Canadian resident from Three Mile Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 26
Mr. Nathan Sampson (1887-1917), Canadian resident from Three Mile Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 27
... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Sampson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pejus letho flagitium
Motto Translation: Disgrace is worse than Death.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 24th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dunvegan-castle
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance