Contents [hide]

Cummins History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Cummins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

It is generally believed that this name comes from a Breton personal name, derived from element "cam," meaning "bent," or "crooked;" or perhaps from the herb called "cummin" (cumin).

Or the name may have come from the place name Comines, in Northern France, bordering the Belgium border. Regarding this latter scenario, multiple sources agree with this postulation, but all include wording similar to "there is no positive evidence in favor of this view." 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Cummins family

The surname Cummins was first found in Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire in England, in the 12th and 13th centuries. Robert of Comyn (Comines,) (died 1069) was a noble who accompanied William the Conqueror and was made Earl of Northumberland. "He so commended himself to the king by his military skill that he was chosen at the end of 1068 for the difficult task of reducing the north of England to obedience. William I conferred on him the earldom of Northumberland, vacant by the flight of Gospatric. Comin was the founder of the family of Comyn, many of whom played an important part in the history of Scotland." 4

"The first of the name connected with Scotland is Willelmus Comyn, a churchman, chancellor to David I. He was promoted to the bishopric of Durham by the Empress Matilda, but had many controversies with his clergy. Later he was poisoned by some of their number who mixed poison with the wine of the Sacrament and give it to him to drink. Richard Cumyn, second of the name in Scotland, made a gift of the church of Lyntun-ruderic (Linton-Roderick) to the Abbey of Kelso for the weal of the souls of Earl Henry (d. 1152) and his own son, John. He also witnessed charters by William the Lion after 1165 (REM., I, 2). By his marriage with Hextilda, granddaughter of Donald Bane, king of Scots, he had a son, William, who became chancellor and great justiciary of Scotland. William married Marjory, daughter and heiress of Fergus, the last Celtic earl of Buchan between 1211-1224, and in right of his wife became earl of Buchan. " 2

John Comyn (d. 1212), was Archbishop of Dublin and was in his early life a trusted official and chaplain of Henry II.

Later, John Comyn (Cumyn) (c. 1215-1275) was Lord of Badenoch in Scotland and justiciar of Galloway in 1258. He founded and started the construction of Blair Castle with a tower in 1269. He was nephew of Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan, Constable of Scotland, and of Walter Comyn, Earl of Mentieth. 4

Alexander Comyn, 2nd Earl of Buchan (d. 1289), was Constable of Scotland, "the son of William Comyn, Earl of Buchan, the founder of Deer Abbey, and of Marjory, his second wife, who brought the title into the Comyn family. " 4

John Comyn the Elder (d. 1300?), of Badenoch, was 'claimant to the Scottish throne,' and was the second son of John Comyn, Justiciar of Galloway. His lordship of Badenoch came from his uncle, Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith. 4

His son, John Comyn the younger (d. 1306), of Badenoch, surnamed The Red, was one of the competitors for the crown of Scotland in 1291. 4

Early History of the Cummins family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cummins research. Another 456 words (33 lines of text) covering the years 1124, 1133, 1150, 1153, 1180, 1189, 1212, 1258, 1263, 1264, 1266, 1274, 1275, 1286, 1289, 1296, 1300, 1302, 1306 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cummins History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cummins Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Cummins has been spelled Cumin, Cumins, Cumine, Cummin, Cummins, Cummine, Comings, Comins, Commin and many more.

Early Notables of the Cummins family

Notable among the family at this time was John Comyn (died 1274), was justiciar of Galloway, the son of Richard Comyn and nephew of the powerful Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith. His son John Comyn the Elder (died 1300), of Badenoch, 'claimant to the Scottish throne,' was the second son of John Comyn, justiciar of Galloway. Alexander Comyn (d. 1289)...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cummins Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cummins Ranking

In the United States, the name Cummins is the 1,443^rd most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Cummins is ranked the 582^nd most popular surname with an estimated 6,662 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Cummins family to Ireland

Some of the Cummins family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 142 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cummins migration to the United States +

Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Cumminss to arrive in North America:

Cummins Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Isaac Cummins, who landed in Massachusetts in 1630 7

Cummins Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alex Cummins, who arrived in Virginia in 1738 7
William Cummins, who arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1765 7
Coporal Cummins, who landed in Virginia in 1776 7
Thomas Cummins, who landed in Mississippi in 1799 7

Cummins Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James, Cummins Jr., aged 20, who landed in New York in 1812 7
Matthew Cummins, aged 32, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
Edward Cummins, aged 28, who landed in Maine in 1812 7
Catherine Cummins, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 7
Christopher Cummins, who landed in New York in 1819 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cummins migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cummins Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Cummins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. Daniel Cummins U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 8
Mr. William Cummins U.E. who settled in Sissiboo [Weymouth], Nova Scotia c. 1783; he served in the 42nd Regiment 8

Cummins Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mary Cummins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1816
Mary Cummins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1825
Andrew Cummins, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1825
Ellen Cummins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1830
William Cummins, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1830
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cummins migration to Australia +

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

Cummins Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Cummins, (b. 1783), aged 26, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Boyd" on 10th March 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Thomas Cummins, (b. 1806), aged 20, Irish carter who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Boyne" on 28th October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. John Cummins, (b. 1800), aged 42, English solider from Manchester who was convicted in Pune (Poonah), India for life for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Flora" in 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1842 11
Mr. James Cummins, (b. 1799), aged 33, Irish ploughman who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for 7 years for manslaughter, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 10th May 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1887 12
Mr. Thomas Cummins, (Cummons), (b. 1801), aged 31, Irish ploughman who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for 7 years for manslaughter, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 10th May 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cummins 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:

Cummins Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Cummins, British settler, as the 2nd Detachment of New Zealand Corps of Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Minerva" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1847 13
George Cummins, aged 22, a shepherd, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1850
Thomas Cummins, aged 27, a shepherd, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1850
Mr. Cummins, Irish settler travelling from Cork aboard the ship "Spirit of Trade" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th December 1858 14
Mr. John Cummins, (b. 1841), aged 21, Irish labourer from County Tipperary, travelling from London aboard the ship "Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 25th September 1862 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cummins (post 1700) +

Edward Cummins, American gold Olympic medalist for golf at the 1904 games
Major-General Joseph Michael Cummins (1881-1959), American Commanding General 6th Corps Area (1941-1942) 15
George David Cummins (1822-1876), American bishop and founder of the Reformed Episcopal Church
Clessie Lyle Cummins (1888-1968), American founder of the Cummins Engine Co
Maria Susanna Cummins (1827-1866), American author
Albert Baird Cummins (1850-1926), American politician, Governor of Iowa (1902-1908) and United States Senator from Iowa (1908-1926)
John Stephen Cummins (b. 1928), Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland, California (1977 to 2003)
Philip Damien Cummins AM (1939-2019), Australian lawyer and jurist for the Supreme Court of Victoria
Larry Cummins, Australian bushranger, member of the Frank Gardiner-Ben Hall gang; he served 15 years in prison
Conor Cummins (b. 1986), British motorcycle racer
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Cummins family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Melville James Cummins, British Schoolmaster, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 16

HMS Repulse

Mr. Charles Cummins, English Master at Arms from Brixham, Devon, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 17

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
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/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyd
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyne
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/flora
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 23) Joseph Cummins. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Cummins/Joseph_Michael/USA.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html