Surname Sommerville - Meaning and Origin
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Sommerville: What does the surname Sommerville mean?
The surname Sommerville, also spelled Somerville, is of Scottish origin, with Norman influences. It is derived from the town of Somerville in the department of Seine-Maritime, Normandy. Originally, the surname was de Somerville, meaning 'from Somerville.' It was first found in Lanarkshire, Scotland, where the family had been granted lands by King David I of Scotland for their assistance during his ascent to the throne. Literally, the name is believed to translate to 'summer settlement' or 'summer town,' from the Old Norman ‘sumarli’ meaning summer and ‘ville’ meaning town. In overall, the surname carries a sense of warmth, livelihood, and communal living, hinting towards a settlement that thrives in the summer when plenty and prosperity reach their peak. As a traditional Scottish name, Sommerville showcases a lineage of common origin, gathering, and shared history, all bound together by the bond of family.
Order DNA origin analysisSommerville: Where does the name Sommerville come from?
The last name Sommerville is most commonly found today in the British Isles. In England, it is most common in Scotland, followed by Northern Ireland and then England. In Scotland, it is the 45th most common surname, with over 17,000 bearers in the most recent General Register Office (GRO) report for 2016-17. In Northern Ireland, it is the 129th most common surname, with over 2,900 bearers. In England, it is the 365th most common surname, with slightly over 2,000 bearers.
Outside of the British Isles, the name is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. In the United States, it is most common in the Southeast region, especially in North Carolina, where it is the 537th most common name. It is much less common elsewhere, and it is the 13,646th most common name in California. In Canada, the name is more spread out, and it is particularly common in Ontario and Alberta.
The name has also been adopted by people in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. In Europe, it is particularly common in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and France, while in Asia, it is most common in South Korea, Singapore, and China. In Africa, it is most common in South Africa, while in Australia, it is most common in Victoria and New South Wales. In South America, it is most common in Brazil.
Variations of the surname Sommerville
The surname Somerville is a Scottish locational surname which originally derived from the lands of The Barony of Somerville in the parish of Linton, Roxburghshire. It is derived from the Old English 'Sumer', meaning summer, and 'ville', meaning village or settlement, so together the name is translated as 'summer village'.
The surnames Somerville and Summerville are variations of the same origin. Spellings depending on the region and time period can be Summervill, Somerville, Summervile, Somervill, Somervile, Sumerville, and Summervill. Sometime the name was extended even further in certain regions to Somervillers, Somerviller, Summersviller, and even Somervilliers.
In Scotland, Somerville is one of the oldest and most distinguished families. A noteable member is Sir Gilbert Somerville (1243–94), the 12th Chief of Clan Somerville. The surname is said to have arrived in America with Thomas Somerville who arrived in Maryland in 1694. The Somervilles have also established themselves in countries such as Ireland, Canada and Australia.
In Ireland, the surname is more commonly referred to as Somerville or Summerville, and is most associated with County Meath. In Canada, particularly the Maritime Provinces, the settlers changed their spelling to Somersville.
In Australia, their first arrival was in 1837 when James Summervill, aged 18, arrived in New South Wales on the William Metcalfe and he is listed as the first Somerville established in Australia. The name Summerville has also been identified as one of the earliest settlers names in South Australia.
Overall, Somerville is a name that is of Scottish origin and established in countries such as America, Ireland, Canada and Australia. Variations of the name can include Somerville, Summerville, Summervill, Somervill, Somervile, Sumerville, Summervile, Somervillers, Somerviller, Summersvillers, and Somervilliers.
Famous people with the name Sommerville
- Nicole Sommerville, Playboy Playmate and model.
- Richard Sommerville, a British composer, singer, songwriter, and producer.
- Dean Sommerville, an English actor who has appeared in various television programmes and films
- Alexander Sommerville, a Canadian seed merchant and horticulturalist
- Sam Sommerville, an Australian-born singer and impressionist
- Miles Sommerville, a British gentleman and the founder of the Tod's men's clothing line
- Craig Sommerville, a former professional rugby league footballer in England
- John Sommerville, an English philosopher and historian
- Robert Sommerville, a Scottish actor and director
- William Sommerville, an Irish biographer and Presbyterian minister