Surname MacSimon - Meaning and Origin
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MacSimon: What does the surname MacSimon mean?
The last name MacSimon is a Scottish surname of the Clan MacIntosh and has its origins in the Gaelic language. The surname MacSimon is derived from the personal name "Simon," which is derived from the Hebrew name שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on), meaning "hearkening," or "God has heard."
The MacSimon name can be found in Islay and we find earliest records of it in 1263. The traditional Scottish tartan for the MacSimon family is a red and blue tartan with a white double-laced border, which is nicknamed the “MacSimon Muted”.
The MacSimon label was used for specific items of clothing, such as kilts and skirts, due to the iconic pattern. During the 1600s there was a separate clan of MacSimons located in the Drumlanrig area of Scotland, whose tartan is known as the Dutch MacSimon.
The MacSimon Clan is well known for its contribution to the great Clan Chattan Confederation, as MacWilliam MacSimon was the 11th chief of the assortment of clans. The Confederation was so strong that its eventual strength led to victory during The Battle of Inverlochy in 1427 AD.
The MacSimon Clan would eventually spread to other parts of Scotland as well as settling in North America. Nowadays, there are many variations of the name MacSimon across the United States and Canada, as well as other parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacSimon: Where does the name MacSimon come from?
The surname MacSimon is particularly common today in certain parts of Ireland, particularly in the provinces of Munster and Connacht in the southwestern portion of the country. In particular, MacSimon is a very common name in the counties of Clare, Galway, Kerry, and Limerick. It is also found to some extent in scattered areas of other counties throughout Ireland.
In the United States, the last name MacSimon is seen in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Texas, California, and Michigan. There are also smaller numbers of people with the MacSimon surname in Canada, Australia, and other countries around the world.
Sources indicate that the MacSimon surname derives from the Irish surname 'MacShimidh' (or MacSheeman). It is classed as an anglicized form of the much older Gaelic name, which means 'son of Simon'. The origins of the original surname are mainly associated with Ulster, though references to the name can be found in numerous historical documents stretching all the way back to the 1700s.
Over the centuries, the MacSimon name has come to be found all over the world among descendants of Irish and Scottish immigrants. Even today, it is still a very popular surname in areas of its original homeland in the west of Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacSimon
The MacSimon surname has several variants, spellings, and related surnames, all originating from the Gaelic Mac Síomóin. Some of these include: MacShiman, MacSimon, MacSimons, MacSims, MacSomains, MacSomans, MacSumen, M'Simond, M'Simons, M'Symons, McSemeon, McSimeon, McSiman, McSimon, Siman, Simeon, Simion, Simmon, Simmone, Symmon, Symon, Symons, and Symun.
A commonly found spelling is MacShiman, derived from the Gaelic Mac Shíomóin. This spelling is more common in the English language as the Irish and Scottish Gaelic cultures likely had a limited experience with written records in the past.
MacSimon is the most common way to spell the name today, with the name being popularly accepted as Irish. It likely derives from the Irish Mac Síomóin, which combines the prefix Mac, meaning “son of,” and the name Síomóin, derived from the Gaelic name síom, meaning “peace” or “serenity.” It likely means “son of the peaceful one” or “son of the serene one”.
McSemeon and McSimeon are more recognizable Scottish variations on the surname, noting the “Mc” prefix common in Scotland. McSymon and Symun variants also appear to be of Scottish origin.
The most notable variation of the name, Siman, is more rare and appears to have evolved from M’Simond or M’Simons.
As revealed by the spelling variations, the surname has a long history stemming from its Gaelic roots and has been adapted into various iterations over time. Today, MacSimon is the most commonly known and accepted spelling of the surname.
Famous people with the name MacSimon
- John MacSimon: Grammy nominated songwriter who has written for acts like Train, Lynyrd Skynrd, and more
- Alexander MacSimon: Canadian-American actor, artist, and photographer
- Lisa MacSimon: fashion expert and media personality
- Barbara MacSimon: Award-winning costume designer
- Louise MacSimon: Canadian politician
- Angus MacSimon: British Lt. Colonel and Victoria Cross recipient
- Abigail MacSimon: American fashion designer
- Max MacSimon: Scottish actor and singer
- Ruby MacSimon: Australian Film Producer
- Duncan MacSimon: British actor and director