SOMERS
Somers
Somers is a surname with English origins, derived from the ancient occupational name "summere," referring to a summer or summer farm worker. The surname is widespread in the United Kingdom and is found in various spellings such as Summers and Sommer.
Origins
The surname Somers can be traced back to medieval England, where it was used to identify those who worked during the summer months in fields or on farms. Over time, the name became hereditary, passed down from generation to generation.
Distribution
The Somers surname is most commonly found in southern England and particularly prevalent in counties such as Hampshire, Sussex, and Kent. It has also spread to other parts of the United Kingdom, as well as other English-speaking countries around the world.
Notable Individuals
John Somers, 1st Baron Somers
- Role: English Whig jurist and statesman
- Date: 1651–1716
- Contribution: Lord Somers played a significant role in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and served as Lord Chancellor of England.
Bessie Rayner Parkes (née Rayner), known as Bessie Rayner Belloc
- Role: Social activist, writer, and poet
- Date: 1829–1925
- Contribution: Bessie was a prominent figure in the British Women's Rights movement and was associated with the Somers family through her marriage to Louis Belloc.
Variants
The Somers surname has several variants, including Summers and Sommer. These variations reflect changes in spelling over time, as well as regional dialectal influences.
References
- P. H. Reaney, R. M. Wilson, "A Dictionary of British Surnames", Routledge, 1991.
- G. Redmonds, "The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland", Oxford University Press, 2017.
There are approximately 3,082 people named Somers in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,926th most common surname in Britain. Around 47 in a million people in Britain are named Somers.
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
- Daniel
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- William
Female
- Anne
- Elizabeth
- Jennifer
- Joanne
- Laura
- Lesley
- Margaret
- Maria
- Mary
- Nicola
- Rebecca
- Samantha
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.