Surname Somerset - Meaning and Origin

Somerset: What does the surname Somerset mean?

The surname Somerset is of English origin and is habitational in nature. It is derived from a historical county by the same name located in southwest England. The term "Somerset" itself is presumed to have originated from the Old English as "Sumorsæte," which can be translated as "the people living at or dependent on Sumortūn” – the Old English name for the town now known as Glastonbury. The etymology of Sumortūn stems from the term "sumor," meaning "summer", along with "tūn," meaning "farmstead or settlement". Therefore, the surname Somerset could be interpreted to mean "people of the summer settlement" or "dweller at the summer settlement". It should be noted, however, that specific interpretations can vary depending on the historical and cultural context. Over time, due to migration and dissemination, the surname Somerset is now found among families all over the world.

Somerset: Where does the name Somerset come from?

The last name Somerset can be found in several countries around the world today, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and many others. This is likely due to a combination of migration and immigration over time.

In the United Kingdom, Somerset is quite common, particularly in the West Country in the south of England, where it derives from the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Somersæte. Here, the name is often used to refer to the county of Somerset. In fact, the name may even date back to the Celtic period as a demonym of the tribe of the Dobunni.

In the United States, the last name Somerset is most common in Pennsylvania, where records show that it was among the top 1,000 surnames in the country in 2020. There is a main highway in Pennsylvania bearing this name, and it runs through many cities and towns that have people with the surname.

In other parts of the world, too, the last name Somerset is not uncommon. For instance, in Australia, more than 4,600 people had the surname in 2018. Similarly, in South Africa the name was among the top 1,000 surnames there in both 2006 and 2011.

Overall, the last name Somerset is today found in a number of countries around the world as a result of migration and immigration throughout the centuries.

Variations of the surname Somerset

The surname Somerset is an ancient British name with a few known variants, spellings, and other forms of the name. It is derived from the English county of Somerset, which is located in the south west of England.

The most common spelling of Somerset is 'Somerset', however other variants which have been recorded over the years are 'Sommersett', 'Somerville', 'Summersett', 'Somerton', 'Sommerton', and 'Somers'. These spellings are all derived from the Old English words 'sumerset' and 'sumer', meaning 'summer settlement'.

Other related surnames include 'Somervill', 'Sumervill', 'Somervile', 'Sumervile', and 'Somervil'. These variations are a result of both the changing English language over the centuries and the wide range of dialects found in England.

Additionally, many people with the surname Somerset have adopted alternative surnames such as 'Summers', 'Summerfield', 'Summerside', and 'Summerville'. These additional names are usually borne by the descendants of people who have emigrated from Somerset.

Overall, it is clear that the surname Somerset has a long and interesting history, with a number of associated variants, spellings, and surnames.

Famous people with the name Somerset

• April Somerset: US marine and Model
• Maggie Somerset: Scottish pool player
• Mark Somerset: Former Governor of West Virginia
• Noemi Martinez-Somerset: Spanish engineer
• Jake Somerset: British actor
• Jean Somerset: Australian journalist
• Heather Somerset: Australian actress
• Paul Somerset: New Zealand cricketer
• Jacque Somerset: Novelist
• Gerard Somerset: British TV presenter 11.Mandy Somerset: New Zealand netballer
• Amie Somerset: Australian rules footballer
• Alastair Somerset: British politician
• Julieanne Somerset: British diver
• George Somerset: South African cricketer
• Warren Somerset: Australian International rugby union player
• Stephen Somerset: Australian actor and musician
• Rachel Somerset: British rower
• Jeff Somerset: American basketball coach
• Marjorie Somerset: Canadian psychiatrist and professor

Other surnames

Somers