Surname Comyn - Meaning and Origin
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Comyn: What does the surname Comyn mean?
The surname Comyn, of old Scottish origin, holds both geographic and personal history. Comyn is derived from the personal name “Comin,” which traces back to Saint Comán of Roscommon in the early 7th century. This name was further popularized in Scotland by William Comyn, a powerful 13th-century figure who played a significant role in the Scottish wars of independence. The Comyns were once a dominant force in Scottish politics until they were defeated by Robert the Bruce, their downfall marking a significant turning point in Scottish history.
Geographically, it references to the Barony of Comines, near the Belgian border which was acquired by William Comyn’s father. This surname can be found in variations such as Cumin, Cumine, and Cumins, among others.
So, Comyn essentially symbolizes an ancestral connection to a powerful lineage in Scottish medieval history and ascendants from the area around the Barony of Comines.
Order DNA origin analysisComyn: Where does the name Comyn come from?
The surname Comyn originates from Scotland and was historically one of the powerful families in the country during the 13th century. The name itself is believed to derive from the town of Comines, near Lille, in France. It was brought to Scotland by a French knight named Richard Comyn, the uncle of William the Conqueror, in the 11th century.
During the medieval period, the Comyns had control over significant tracts of land in Scotland. However, their power declined after conflicts with Robert the Bruce and subsequent shift in royal favor.
Despite its origins, the last name Comyn isn't particularly common anywhere today. It is likely to be more prevalent in areas with substantial Scottish descent, for instance, regions of the United Kingdom or maybe parts of the United States and Australia, but it isn't significantly common in these places either. The variant spelling "Cummings" is more common and could be seen as a derivative of Comyn.
Variations of the surname Comyn
The surname Comyn has variations in spelling that can be traced back to British, French, and Gaelic origins. Some of these variants include Cumin, Comins, Cummin, Comyns, and Cummins. The surname originated from the Norman personal name, Comyn, which itself came from the Celtic name, "Cuman," describing a man of vast power and might.
In some instances, the Comyn name can be found with an additional 's', as in Cummins or Comyns, which signifies a patronymic origin, signifying "son of Comyn." It can also be spelled as Comin, Comon, Coman, Comonin, and Comben in some regional dialects.
Additionally, an Irish variant of the name, Ó Coimín, was anglicized to Cummins and occasionally Cummings, taken from an entirely different lineage. In the region of Brittany in France, the surname Le Comin is considered a variant of the name.
It's also worth noting that spellings of surnames can often change over time due to factors like phonetic pronunciation, location, literacy levels, or translation between languages. Therefore, these variations should be considered when researching genealogy.
Famous people with the name Comyn
- John Comyn (the Red Comyn): He was a prominent Scottish nobleman in the 13th century and was a claimant to the Scottish throne.
- John III Comyn (the Black Comyn): He was one of the Guardians of Scotland during the First Interregnum (1296–1306).
- William Comyn: He was the Lord of Badenoch and Lord of Lochaber in Scotland and the founder of the Abbey of Saint Mary de Insula.
- Richard Comyn: He was an Anglo-Norman nobleman, and the earliest person of the Comyn family of Northumberland to appear in records.
- Robert Comyn: He was an 11th-century bishop of Durham.
- Elizabeth Comyn: She was an important heiress in late 13th century England, a granddaughter of King John of England.
- Patty Comyn: She is a 21st-century journalist for the 'Brussels Times'.
- Alice Comyn: She was a medieval Scottish noble, who was Countess of Buchan in her own right.
- Walter Comyn: He was the Lord of Badenoch, son of William Comyn, jure uxoris Earl of Buchan.
- Isabel Comyn: The wife of Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale. These people are not necessarily famous in the mainstream, but have made significant contributions in their respective fields.