Surname Cuming - Meaning and Origin

Cuming: What does the surname Cuming mean?

The surname Cuming is of Scottish origin and it primarily refers to a person from the place called Comines, in Flanders, Northern France. The name Comines itself is believed to be derived from the Celtic word for "boundary". During the Middle Ages, surnames began to be used to distinguish between individuals with the same first name, leading to the use of a wide range of personal characteristics, occupational terms, and geographical locations as identifiers.

Often these names reflected the profession or occupation of the person, however, in this case, Cuming is a geographical surname. Cuming is also spelled as Comyn, Cumming, and Commons among other variants, owing to a general lack of standardisation in spelling until recent centuries. Over time, family members who moved to other areas would often change the spelling of their surname. So, it means that the holder of the surname Cuming or its variants, may have had an ancestor who lived in or was associated with Comines. It is a common surname in England, Scotland, Ireland, and other English-speaking countries.

Cuming: Where does the name Cuming come from?

The surname Cuming is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name "Comyn" or "Cumyn", which means 'bent' or 'crooked'. It was a popular name among the Norman nobility, who played a significant role in Scottish history.

The family name dates back to the early 10th Century, with several spelling variations over the years including Coming, Commings, Cumming, and Cumins among others. The family held a feudal barony in East Lothian and later acquired lands in Nairn and Forres, creating a stronghold in the area.

The Cumins (or Comyns) played a significant role in Scotland's political and military history, often clashing with other powerful families such as the Bruces. Their influence declined significantly after Robert the Bruce became King of Scotland, due to their support for an alternative claimant.

Today, people with the last name Cuming are found around the world, often in countries with historical Scottish connections such as Canada, Australia, and the United States. Despite this, the name is relatively uncommon, with only a few thousand bearers worldwide. In the UK, it remains most common in Scotland, particularly in areas with a history of Cuming or Comyn family presence.

Variations of the surname Cuming

The surname Cuming is of Scottish origin and is associated with the Cummings clan, deriving from the place Cummingston in Moray, Scotland. The surname was initially derived from a Celtic personal name.

The surname has several variations and spellings due to regional pronunciation differences, emigration, and translation between languages. The most common variations of the surname include Cumming, Cummings, Comyn, Comyns, and Comings.

Cummin, Cummins, and Commons can also be considered variants, although some researchers argue that these evolved independently.

Another spelling variation is Comming, which is less common but still holds the same derivation.

Historically, the surname was often spelled according to phonetics, which can lead to a variety of different forms in ancient documents. For example, a single person's name could be spelled as Cumin, Cummin, Cumon, and Cumin on different occasions.

In other languages, the surname can change slightly too. For instance, in French, it becomes Comines or de Comines, both of which originated from the same Celtic root.

In conclusion, the surname Cuming has numerous variants and spellings, largely due to historical and regional influences. The same family might use different spellings of their name over time and across different locations.

Famous people with the name Cuming

• Albert F. Cuming: An American military officer and bureaucrat who served as the Acting Governor of Nebraska Territory from 1854 to 1857.
• Michael Cuming: A professional British cyclist who has achieved considerable success in several international cycling competitions.
• Richard Cuming: A British surgeon and collector, he is known for founding the Cuming Museum in London.
• Jude Cuming: A New Zealand environmental activist, she has spearheaded several initiatives against climate change and environmental degradation.
• Henry Syer Cuming: British antiquarian and collector, known for his contributions to the Cuming Museum, founded by his father, Richard Cuming.
• Chris Cuming: An award-winning British director, choreographer and writer in the world of theatre and film.
• Max Cuming: A New Zealand cricketer who played for Otago during the late 1940s.
• Shaun Cuming: A South African sailor who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
• Harry Cuming: An Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood Football Club in the early 1900s.
• Linsay Cuming: A New Zealand cricketer who played in one Women's One Day International cricket match for the International XI women's cricket team. Note: The name Cuming is not common among famous persons, therefore this list may not contain only widely known individuals.

Other surnames

CuminCumingsCumins