Show ContentsSymsoun History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Symsoun is a patronymic surname formed from the Medieval given name Sim. The original bearer of the name would have been the "son of Sim."

Early Origins of the Symsoun family

The surname Symsoun was first found in Buckinghamshire, where Simpson was listed in the Domesday Book as Sevinstone or Siwinestone, lands held by the Bishop of Countances. The place literally meant "farmstead of a man called Sigewine" derived from the Old Scandinavian personal name + tun. 1

At the 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 2.

The family's introduction to Scotland began in 1405. "The Symson [family] of Brunton, have been established in Fifeshire from the commencement of the 15th century." 3

Simpson 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

Early History of the Symsoun family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Symsoun research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1405, 1412, 1422, 1448, 1475, 1477, 1482, 1488, 1491, 1567, 1646, 1685, 1687, 1688, 1696, 1764, 1768 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Symsoun History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Symsoun Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Simpson, Simson, Simsoun, Symson, Symsoun, Simpsone and many more.

Early Notables of the Symsoun family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • David Symsoun, one of assize in Aberdeen in 1448

Ireland Migration of the Symsoun family to Ireland

Some of the Symsoun 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 Symsoun family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants 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 Symsoun 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: Alis nutrior
Motto Translation: I am fed by my wings.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook