SUMNER
Sumner
Background
Sumner is a British surname with roots in Old English, deriving from the occupational name for a summoner, someone who summoned people to court. The name was also used to denote a church official responsible for maintaining discipline among the congregation.
Distribution
The surname Sumner is widely distributed across the United Kingdom, with concentrations in areas such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the West Midlands. It has also spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notable Individuals
- Charles Sumner (1811–1874) – American politician and statesman, known for his work as an abolitionist senator during the American Civil War.
- Gordon Sumner, known as Sting – British musician and songwriter, famous for his work with The Police and as a solo artist.
- William Graham Sumner (1840–1910) – American sociologist and political theorist, known for his work on social Darwinism.
Variants
Variants of the Sumner surname include Somner, Summoner, and Summers. These variations may have emerged due to regional accents or phonetic changes over time.
Coat of Arms
The Sumner family crest typically features symbols such as a shield with a lion rampant, denoting strength and courage, topped with a crown or helmet signifying nobility or authority.
Conclusion
The Sumner surname carries a rich history of occupation and status, with bearers of the name making notable contributions in various fields. With its widespread distribution and diverse variants, the legacy of the Sumner family continues to endure in modern times.
There are approximately 9,376 people named Sumner in the UK. That makes it the 999th most common surname in Britain. Around 144 in a million people in Britain are named Sumner.
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
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Amanda
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Jacqueline
- Jane
- Julie
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan