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Show ContentsSimmonds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The notable Simmonds family arose among the Cornish People, a race with a rich Celtic heritage and an indomitable fighting spirit who inhabited the southwest of England. While surnames were well-known during the English medieval period, Cornish People originally used only a single name. The way in which hereditary surnames came into common use is interesting. As the population of medieval Europe multiplied, people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Under the Feudal System of government, surnames evolved and they often reflected life on the manor and in the field. Patronymic surnames were derived from given names and were the predominant type of surname among the Celtic peoples of Britain. However, the people of Cornwall provide a surprising exception to this rule, and patronymic surnames are less common among them than other people of Celtic stock, such as their Welsh neighbors. This is due to the greater influence of English bureaucracy and naming practices in Cornwall at the time that surnames first arose. This type of surname blended perfectly with the prevailing Feudal System. One feature that is occasionally found in Cornish surnames of this type is the suffix -oe or -ow; this is derived from the Cornish plural suffix -ow. is a patronymic surname that came from the first name of the bearer's father, meaning literally "son of Simon." Alternatively, the name could have "come from the Domesday name Simund, which is distinct from Simon." 1

Simon was a popular biblical name and comes ultimately from the ancient Hebrew personal name Shimon, meaning "to hearken." 2

The name appears as a character in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: 'Awake, Simond, the fend is on me fall.'

Early Origins of the Simmonds family

The surname Simmonds was first found in Devon and in Cornwall, where the family held a family seat since ancient times.

The ancient Latin form of the name Simmunddnrus was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 3

Simeon or Symeon of Durham (fl. 1130), was an English historian, a monk of Durham, being thirty-eighth on his own list of the monks of that house. Saint Simeon Stock (1165?-1265), was general of the Carmelite friars and is said to have been born in Kent of noble parents about 1165. "From his earliest years he was devoted to religion, and, according to the legend, owed his surname to the fact that from his twelfth year he lived a hermit's life in the trunk or stock of a tree for twenty years. " 4

Simeon of Warwick (died 1295), was an English historian who became a Benedictine monk at St. Mary's, York, and in 1258 was elected abbot.

In Scotland, the first records of the family were "Symon, capellanus, [who] witnessed a charter by William Bruce to Adam Carlyle, c. 1194-1214, and Symon or Simon, archidiaconus of Aberdeen, a charter witness, 1172." 5

Early History of the Simmonds family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Simmonds research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1178, 1273, 1379, 1388, 1475, 1487, 1500, 1525, 1528, 1586, 1614, 1617, 1623, 1624, 1640, 1665, 1687, 1692, 1815 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Simmonds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Simmonds Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Symons, Symonds, Symond, Simmins, Simins, Simmonds, Simonds, Simond, Simmons, Simon, Simmon, Simmen, Symon and many more.

Early Notables of the Simmonds family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John Symons, M.P. for Helston in 1388; Thomas Simon (c. 1623-1665), English medalist, born in Yorkshire who studied engraving under Nicholas Briot; Samuel Simmons (1640-1687), an English printer, best known as the first publisher of several works by John Milton; Abraham Simon (1617-1692?), an English medalist to the Royal Mint with his brother, Thomas Simon (c. 1623-1665); and Richard Symonds (1617-1692?), an English Royalist and antiquary, best known for his eye-witness diary of the events of the First English Civil War. Sir George Simeon was an English landowner and politician, Member of Parliament...
Another 114 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Simmonds Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Simmonds World Ranking

In the United States, the name Simmonds is the 11,630th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Simmonds is ranked the 364th most popular surname with an estimated 127 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Simmonds is the 936th popular surname with an estimated 4,221 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Simmonds as 562nd with 1,259 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Simmonds as 549th with 11,820 people. 10

Ireland Migration of the Simmonds family to Ireland

Some of the Simmonds family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Simmonds migration to the United States +

A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Simmonds:

Simmonds Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Ann Simmonds, who landed in Maryland in 1663 11
  • Mary Simmonds, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 11
  • Thomas Simmonds, who landed in Maryland in 1663 11
Simmonds Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Simmonds, (b. 1820), aged 28, Cornish miner departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Queen of the West" arriving in the United States on 22nd August 1848 12
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Simmonds, (b. 1823), aged 25, Cornish settler departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Queen of the West" arriving in the United States on 22nd August 1848 12
  • Mr. William Simmonds, (b. 1846), aged 2, Cornish settler departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Queen of the West" arriving in the United States on 22nd August 1848 12
  • Miss Mary J. Simmonds, (b. 1848), aged 1 month, Cornish settler departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Queen of the West" arriving in the United States on 22nd August 1848 12
  • Mr. Henry Simmonds, (b. 1831), aged 17, Cornish settler departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Queen of the West" arriving in the United States on 22nd August 1848 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Simmonds migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Simmonds Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Joseph Simmonds, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mr. William Simmonds U.E. who settled in St. John River [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1777 travelled from Boston to Halifax, Nova Scotia 13
  • Sgt. Daniel Simmonds U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1786 13
  • Mr. Nicholas Simmonds U.E. who settled in Midland District [Lennox & Addington], Ontario c. 1786 13

Australia Simmonds migration to Australia +

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

Simmonds Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Francis Simmonds, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Richard Simmonds, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Jonathan Simmonds, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. Thomas Simmonds, (Simmons), (b. 1808), aged 22, English groom who was convicted in Surrey, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1854 16
  • Mr. Edmund Simmonds, (b. 1808), aged 23, English shoe maker who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Simmonds 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:

Simmonds Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Louis Simmonds, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Joseph Simmonds, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Fifeshire
  • L Simmonds, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship "Indemnity" 18
  • W Simmonds, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Indemnity 18
  • Joseph Simmonds, aged 23, a carpenter, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Simmonds 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. 20
Simmonds Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • John Simmonds, who landed in Jamaica in 1787 11

Contemporary Notables of the name Simmonds (post 1700) +

  • Buck Simmonds, American actor
  • Stuart Simmonds (b. 1976), English cricketer
  • Donovan Ashton Simmonds (b. 1988), English professional footballer
  • Mickey Simmonds (b. 1959), English session keyboardist, arranger and composer
  • Kim Maiden Simmonds (1947-2022), British musician, founder, guitarist, primary songwriter and only consistent member of the blues rock band Savoy Brown
  • Mr. Gordon Robert William Simmonds B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to the Church Community in Rochford, Essex
  • Douglas Simmonds (1958-2011), British child actor
  • Roy Simmonds (1928-2008), Australian rules footballer
  • Pip Simmonds, New Zealander freestyle skier
  • Morris Simmonds (1855-1925), German physician and pathologist
  • ... (Another 17 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Mary Simmonds (1893-1914), née Mahony Canadian Second Class Passenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 21
  • Mr. Reginald Simmonds (1887-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 21
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Ambrose Joseph  Simmonds (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 22
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. William Simmonds, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23

Suggested Readings for the name Simmonds +

  • Reluctant Gentile: The Life and Times of Andrew Simmonds, 1844-1925 by A.J. Simmonds.
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. 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)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. 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)
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  13. 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
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  22. 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
  23. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
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