SANSOM
Sansom
Origin: The surname Sansom is of English origin, derived from the baptismal name "Sanctius", which itself is a form of the Latin word "sanctus" meaning "holy" or "saintly".
Early Origins: The first recorded instance of the Sansom surname dates back to the 13th century in Kent, England. The name spread throughout the country due to increasing literacy and the need for individuals to differentiate between people sharing common first names.
Variants: Variants of the Sansom surname include Sansome, Sanson, Sansum, and Samsom.
Coat of Arms: The Sansom family coat of arms features a shield with a chevron, symbolising protection, and three escallops, representing a long journey or pilgrimage.
Notable Individuals: Notable individuals bearing the surname Sansom include:
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Philip Sansom (b. 1985): A British film director and animator known for his innovative work in the field of animation.
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C. J. Sansom (b. 1952): A bestselling British author known for historical mystery novels, particularly the Shardlake series set in Tudor England.
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George Sansom (1883-1965): A prominent British historian and Japanologist renowned for his contributions to the study of Japanese history.
Modern Distribution: Today, individuals with the Sansom surname can be found primarily in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, reflecting the historical spread of British emigration.
References:
- Reaney, P. H., Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 4,454 people named Sansom in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,108th most common surname in Britain. Around 68 in a million people in Britain are named Sansom.
Surname type: From name of parent
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
- Anthony
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
Female
- Angela
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Judith
- Julie
- Karen
- Linda
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Susan