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.

'son of Sim,' which see. The p is intrusive. William Symsoun was burgess of Edinburgh in 1405 (Egidii, p. 41), Thomas Symesson of Scotland had a safe conduct into England in 1412 (Bain, IV, 829), and John Symson was a merchant in the service of Archambaud (Archibald), earl of Douglas in 1405 (ibid., 697). Hugh Symson served on inquest retouring Donald, thane of Cawdor in 1414 (Cawdor, p. 5), Robert Symson, the king of Scots' servant, had a safe conduct into England in 1422 (Bain, IV, 912), John Simson was witness in Lythgw in 1444 (Sc. Ant., XVII, p. 15), and David Symsoun was one of assize in Aberdeen in 1448 (CRA., p. 401). Thomas Symson, Scottish merchant, had a safe conduct into England in 1475 (Bain, IV, 1433), and five years later John Symson, a Scot, had letters of denization in England (ibid., 1465). David Sympsone was elected common councillor in Aberdeen, 1477 (Guildry, p. 189). Andro Semsoun was 'fylit of pycry' (i.e. pilfering) in Lanark in 1488, Jok Semsswne vas guilty of 'twillye' (disturbance) in the same year in the same town (Lanark, p. I, 2), Wylzame Symptsun was declared innocent of part in detention of King James III in Edinburgh Castle in 1482 (Lennox, II, p. 123), and Johannes Symson witnessed a lease by George, abbot of Inchafiray in 1491 (Inchaffray, p. xcvii). Weillie Symsone was a tenant of the abbot of Kelso in 1567 (Kelso, p. 524), James Symsone was retoured heir in the fulling mill in the barony of Coldinghame in 1646 (Retours, Berwick, 269), and Agnes Sympsone was heir of Alexander Sympson, merchant burgess of Ayr, in 1685 (Retours, Ayr, 640). Andrew Symson, "Printer to the King's most excellent Majesty," was an Episcopal minister prior to the Revolution in 1688, when the bigotry of Presbyterianism deprived him of his living and he turned printer. The most eminent of the name was Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870) of chloroform fame, whose monument is in Princes Street gardens, Edinburgh. Dr. Sutherland Simpson (1863-1926), head of the department of physiology and bio-chemistry in Cornell University, New York State, was born in Flotta, Orkney. Semsone 1513, Symesone 1660, Symesoune 1603, Sympsoun 1605, Sympsoune 1661, Symsoune 1548.

Sim’s Son, v. Sim.

(English) The son of Sim, pet form of Simon or Simeon (gracious hearing); one who came from Simpson (Sigewine’s homestead), in Buckinghamshire.

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.

The son of Sim, that is Simon. The Scottish family of Simson, Symsoun, or Symson, of Branton, have been established in Fifeshire from the commencement of the XV. century. B.L.G.

The son of Sim, or Simon. Some of the families of Simson are descended from the Frazers.

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.