This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Simon,' from the nick. Sim, whence Simpson, with intrusive 'p', as in Thompson, Hampson, &c. Sims or Simms is the genitive of Sim; compare William and Williams.

Robertus Symmes, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Symson, 1379: ibid.

Thomas Symme, 1379: ibid.

Johannes Symmeson, 1379: ibid.

Johannes Symnson, 1379: ibid.

Christopher Sims, Berkshire, 1504: Register of the University of Oxford.

Ellen Simms, of Warrington, 1593: Wills at Chester.

1800. Married — Louis Baumes and Margaret Sim: St. George, Hanover Square.

The personal name of the Frasers of Lovat. In Gaelic with 'Mac' prefixed, Mac Shimidh, it is pronounced Macktmmie, which see. See also under Symon.

Same as Simson, which see, with intrusive p.

Sime’s (Son): v. Sime.

A Christian name of Norman introduction, and formerly of much more frequent use than at present. Itself a surname, it has become the parent of many others, particularly of Sim, Sims, Simes, Simson and Simpson, Simkin and Simpkin, Simpkins, Simpkinson, Simcoek, Simcox, Simco, and Simcoe; also of the forms in Y, as Symonds, Symondson, Sympson, Symm, Syms, and Symes, with perhaps Sykes and Sikes, and sometimes of Simond, Simonds, Simmons, and Simmonds.

1. A Buckinghamshire parish. 2. The son of Simon. The Simpsons of Knaresborongh deduce their lineage from the time of Edward the Confessor, and from Archil, a Saxon thane, living in that reign, and in the reign of the Conqueror. Among his other possessions was the manor of Clint in Yorkshire, where his posterity resided in the XIII. and XIV. centuries, writing themselves De Clynt. The name of Simpson (or Simon's son) was adopted from Symon, son of William de Clynt, who was living in the year 1300. See B.L.G. However contrary to our modern notions of good taste, there are several other instances of families having disused a territorial surname in favour of a patronymical one.

Simpson. —Characteristic of the northern half of England. Yorkshire is its great home, it being very numerous in the North and East Ridings. In the surrounding counties of Durham, Lancashire, Cheshire, Stafford, and Derby, it is also well represented. Though it has established itself in some measure in Suffolk and Essex, it is with these exceptions eminently a name of the northern counties and northern midlands. It is represented over a large part of Scotland, but is rare in the north.