Simpsombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Simpsombe is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the baptismal name Simon, which was originally derived from the Hebrew word Shimeon meaning obedience. In the religious naming tradition surnames were bestowed in honor of religious figures or church officials. In Europe, the Christian Church was one of the most powerful influences on the formation of given names. Personal names derived from the names of saints, apostles, biblical figures, and missionaries are widespread in most European countries. In the Middle Ages, they became increasingly popular because people believed that the souls of the deceased continued to be involved in this world. They named their children after saints in the hope that the child would be blessed or protected by the saint.

Early Origins of the Simpsombe family

The surname Simpsombe was first found in Buckinghamshire where Simpson was listed in the Domesday Book as Sevinstone or Siwinestone, lands held by the Bishop of Countances. 1

The place literally meant "farmstead of a man called Sigewine" derived from the Old Scandinavian personal name + tun. 2

At that time, the land consisted of 8 hides (each hide would support one household), 3 virgates (three quarters of a hide) and land enough to support 8 ploughs. There were 13 villans (peasants), 2 bordars and 6 slaves 1.

Today Simpson is a village and civil parish in Milton Keynes and had a population of 585 people in the late 1800s. Another source has a different understanding of the name's origin. "The Simpsons of Knaresborough trace their lineage from the time of Edward the Confessor, and from Archill, a Saxon thane, living in that reign of the Conqueror. Among his vast possessions was the manor of Clint in Yorkshire. The name of Simpson was adopted from Symon, son of William de Clynt who was living in the year 1300. " 3

The name is "characteristic of the northern half of England. Yorkshire is its great home, it being very numerous in the North and East Ridings. In the surrounding counties of Durham, Lancashire, Cheshire, Stafford, and Derby, it is also well represented. Though it has established itself in some measure in Suffolk and Essex, it is with these exceptions eminently a name of the northern counties and northern midlands. It is represented over a large part of Scotland, but is rare in the north." 4

In Staffordshire, Richard Symmeson was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1353. A few years later, Adam Symson was found in Whitby, Yorkshire in 1395, as was John Simpson in 1397. John Symson or Sympson was registered in Lincolnshire in 1487. 5

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johannes Symson; Johannes Symmeson; and Johannes Symnson. 6

Early History of the Simpsombe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Simpsombe research. Another 171 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1405, 1500, 1578, 1599, 1600, 1602, 1611, 1618, 1620, 1627, 1642, 1651, 1655, 1656, 1657, 1669, 1671 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Simpsombe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Simpsombe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Simpsombe have been found, including Simpson, Simson, Simsoun, Symson, Symsoun and many more.

Early Notables of the Simpsombe family

Distinguished members of the family include Edward Simpson or Simson (1578-1651), English divine, son of Edward Simpson, rector of Tottenham, was born at Tottenham on 9 May 1578. In 1611 he became chaplain to Sir Moyle Finch of Eastwell in Kent, and remained there till the death of his patron four years later. In 1618, by the interest of Viscountess Maidstone, widow of Sir Moyle Finch, he was presented to the rectory of Eastling in Kent, and in the same year received the degree of D.D. 7 Nathaniel Simpson (1599-1642), was an early English mathematician, born at Skipton in Yorkshire in 1599...
Another 190 words (14 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Simpsombe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Simpsombe family to Ireland

Some of the Simpsombe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Simpsombe family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Simpsombe, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Henry Simpson who settled in Maine in 1635; John and Joe Simpson settled in Boston in 1635; Robert Simpson settled in Maryland in 1633; another Robert Simpson settled in Salem in 1630.

The Simpsombe 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: Nil desperandum
Motto Translation: Never despairing.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-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)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print