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.

Same as Simson, which see, with intrusive p.

This has been a well known name in Ulster since the early seventeenth century. Though more numerous in Co. Antrim than elsewhere it has also a close association with east Donegal, whence comes the family of the present Protestant archbishop of Dublin.

Several of the name were prominent United Irishmen: Robert and William Simms of Belfast were two of the founders of the Society, and Thomas Simms, a Dublin merchant, who joined in 1792, was sponsored by Oliver Bond. The name is derived from the Christian name Simon, of which Sim is a diminutive; it is thus etymologically the same as Simpson which, however, statistics show to be three times as numerous as Simms both in Great Britain and Ireland. Like Simms, Simpson is mainly found in Co. Antrim.

Simm’s (Son): v. Simm.

Well known in Antrim since the early seventeenth century, this name has also a close association with Donegal. The cognate Simpson, also mainly found in Antrim, is much more numerous than Simms. SIF 138

(English) Descendant of Sim, a pet form of Simon or Simeon (gracious hearing).

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.