Surname Cumpsty - Meaning and Origin
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Cumpsty: What does the surname Cumpsty mean?
The surname Cumpsty is a topographical name, derived from the Old English word “cumb” which means valley, and “stig” meaning path, or way. This indicates that the name was given to someone who lived near or had close connection to a road that was located in a valley.
The surname originates from areas of England that are close to Wales. This includes parts of Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Cheshire. This suggests that the Cumpsty surname may have been derived from Welsh origins.
The name has its oldest records dates back to the 16th century, when Register of St. Chads in Shropshire records the baptism of Wyllyam Cumpsty in 1530. Subsequent records of the family name show they prospered at that time.
The Cumpsty surname is still found today, indicating the family and its descendants are still living in areas of England. It is thought that the surname has spread into other parts of the world, particularly to North America during later migrations and periods of emigration.
In short, the surname Cumpsty is a topographical name derived from a valley and a path in England, and is thought to have Welsh origins. It has its oldest recorded date in the 16th century and is still found today, with many of its descendants having spread other parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisCumpsty: Where does the name Cumpsty come from?
The last name Cumpsty is most common in the United Kingdom. In the latest Office for National Statistics figures, Cumpsty was ranked the 4,461st most common surname in the UK.
The surname Cumpsty originated in England and is a topographical last name derived from the Middle English 'cump-stee' meaning small valley. It is believed that it was a name found in the Peak District, an area of Britain famed for its small valleys.
The surname is very localized, and the majority of Cumpsty's today live in the Northern England. Within the UK, it is most commonly found amongst the major cities of Manchester and Liverpool.
In the United States, the surname Cumpsty is rarely found. The majority of Cumpsty’s with American citizenship are believed to have originated from immigrant relatives living in Britain and Wales. Most Cumpsty's that reside in the United States are found in the states with strong English influences, such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Outside of the United States and the United Kingdom, Cumpsty’s are scattered from Canada to New Zealand.
Overall, the Cumpsty surname is not considered common, but it is still relatively popular amongst English-speaking countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Cumpsty
The surname Cumpsty is a variant of 'Kempster', an English surname which was adopted from the old French word 'Campestre', meaning 'of the country'. It can also be spelt as Campbell, Compston, Compstone, Kempster, Kemps, Kempster, Kungstable, and Copestake.
The family name Cumpsty originated from the Middle English word 'Campestre', which means 'of the country', and was derived from Anglo-Norman French and Latin elements. It was a common occupation among rural people in the Middle Ages and the early modern period in England. People with this name were most likely farmers who lived and worked in the countryside, or were tenants of larger landholdings.
The variants of the Cumpsty surname include Compston, Compstone, Kemp, Kempster, Kempster, Campbell, Kungstable, and Copestake. The names Kemp, Kempster, and Kempster were derived from the Middle English word 'Kempster', which itself mutated from the old French word 'Campestre'. This surname was likely given to people who worked as traders or servants in military camps during the Middle Ages.
The Cumpsty surname is also affiliated with campeste, which refers to an unenclosed pasture or agricultural land. It is believed that this variation of the name was used by people who worked in this capacity, particularly as tenant farmers. Additionally, Compston and Compstone were likely derived from a form of 'Campestre' or 'Campeston', which also means an open field.
Lastly, Campbell and Copestake are both Scottish versions of the Cumpsty surname. Campbell is derived from the Gaelic 'Cam Beul', meaning 'Wrymouth', while Copestake is a derivative of 'Copelstoc', which refers to a 'place of horses'.
Famous people with the name Cumpsty
- Henry Cumpsty: English actor with a variety of theater, television, and film credits.
- Roy Cumpsty: English actor and director with an extensive career on stage and in television.
- John Cumpsty: British actor best known for his role in Torchwood.
- Alan Cumpsty: British stage actor and director.
- Nigel Cumpsty: British engineer and racing driver.
- Gordon Cumpsty: English former professional footballer.
- Mark Cumpsty: English actor, director and producer.
- Tony Cumpsty: British flautist, composer and conductor.
- Philip Cumpsty: British printer and creator of several stained glass windows.
- June Cumpsty: Professor Emeritus of French Literature at Durham University.