Simpson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Simpson 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 Simpson family

The surname Simpson 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 Simpson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Simpson 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 Simpson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Simpson Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Simpson has been recorded under many different variations, including Simpson, Simson, Simsoun, Symson, Symsoun and many more.

Early Notables of the Simpson family

Distinguished members of the family include

Simpson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Simpson is the 126th most popular surname with an estimated 174,090 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Simpson is ranked the 120th most popular surname with an estimated 25,576 people with that name. 9 And in France, the name Simpson is the 8,962nd popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 10 Australia ranks Simpson as 75th with 31,631 people. 11 New Zealand ranks Simpson as 29th with 5,751 people. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Simpson as 59th with 73,755 people. 13

Migration of the Simpson family to Ireland

Some of the Simpson 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.


Simpson migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Simpson or a variant listed above:

Simpson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Simpson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Simpson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Simpson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Simpson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Simpson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Simpson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Simpson migration to Australia +

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

Simpson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Simpson 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:

Simpson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Simpson 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. 26
Simpson Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Simpson (post 1700) +


The Simpson 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.


Suggested Readings for the name Simpson +
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