Commins

Commins is a surname of British origin, believed to have derived from the personal name Simon, and is primarily found in Ireland, particularly in the west of the country.

Origin and Meaning

The surname Commins is thought to have originated from the Greek name Simon, which means 'hearkening' or 'listening'. It is likely that the name was introduced to the British Isles during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Distribution and Popularity

The Commins surname is more commonly found in Ireland than in other parts of the United Kingdom. It is particularly prevalent in areas of western Ireland, such as County Mayo and County Sligo.

Notable Individuals

  • John Commins (1898-1975): An Irish poet known for his works that capture the beauty of the Irish countryside.

  • Catherine Commins (b. 1982): A British author acclaimed for her historical fiction novels set in medieval England.

Variants

Variants of the Commins surname include Cummins, Comyns, and Cumins. These variations may have arisen as anglicised versions of the original name or through regional dialects and pronunciation differences.

References

  • The Surnames of Ireland by Edward MacLysaght
  • A Dictionary of English Surnames by P.H. Reaney

There are approximately 510 people named Commins in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around eight in a million people in Britain are named Commins.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Brian
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Martin
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Thomas

Female

  • Andrea
  • Ann
  • Anneke
  • Debra
  • Dorothy
  • June
  • Lisa
  • Lorraine
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sally
  • Sarah
  • Simone
  • Tamsin
  • Wendy

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