Sumaster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Sumaster

What does the name Sumaster mean?

The Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the English Channel to the south borders Cornwall, the homeland to the Sumaster family name. Even though the usage of surnames was common during the Middle Ages, all English people were known only by a single name in early times. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Sumaster family originally lived in the village of Somaister, in the county of Cornwall.

Early Origins of the Sumaster family

The surname Sumaster was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Old Port in Modbury, from very ancient times, some say long before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Sumaster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sumaster research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1640 is included under the topic Early Sumaster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sumaster 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 Somester, Somaster, Summaster, Sumaister, Sommester, Sommaster, Simister, Semister, Simester and many more.

Early Notables of the Sumaster family

More information is included under the topic Early Sumaster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sumaster family

The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Sumaster: Willaim Simister to Virginia in 1659; and S. Sommester landed in America in 1750.

The Sumaster 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: Quasi summus magister
Motto Translation: As though the highest master.