Surname Cummings - Meaning and Origin

Exploring Ancestral Roots: a Sentimental Journey with iGENEA and the Cummings Heritage

My experience with iGENEA was a thrilling exploration of familial roots and historical diversity. Diving into the depths of my ancestry, I saw my family and the surname Cummings through a new lens, cherishing the Celtic origins that tie us across time and space and lend our name a special significance.

U. Cummings

Cummings: What does the surname Cummings mean?

The surname Cummings is of Scottish origin, derived from the ancient Celtic personal name “Cymhin” or “Cumine,” believed to mean “bent, crooked, or uneven”. It was initially a patronymic name, an inherited surname passed down from the father to his offspring. There are also theories suggesting it's related to the English word “comely”, meaning attractive or handsome. The Cummings surname has several variations such as Comyn, Cumming, etc., indicating the families who belonged to the Cumyn clan in Scotland. The Comyn/Cumyn clan was a powerful family in Scotland in the 13th century. Over time, the name has spread to other English-speaking countries due to immigration.

Cummings: Where does the name Cummings come from?

The surname Cummings is of Scottish origin, derived from the place name "Comyn" in the district of Strathbogie in Northeast Scotland. During the 13th century, the Comyn family was one of the most powerful families in Scotland. The surname has various spellings, including Cumming, Comyn, Comines, and others, all reflecting its roots in either Gaelic (the language of native Highlanders) or Norman traditions. The origin might also be associated with the Gaelic word for "crooked" or "bent."

Today, the surname Cummings is common in various English-speaking countries, especially in the United States. According to the 2000 United States Census, it's ranked as the 637th most common surname. It's also quite prevalent in Scotland, adhering to its origins. Australia, Canada, and England also have a significant number of people bearing the surname Cummings. Famous people with this last name include poet E.E. Cummings and actor Alan Cumming.

Variations of the surname Cummings

The surname Cummings has several variations, majority of which are used interchangeably. Some of these include Cumming, Commins, Cummins, and Cuming. Sometimes, an "s" or "es" is added at the end of these variants, such as Cummings, Cummins, Cumings, or Cuminges. Moreover, it may also appear with a 'Mac' affix, representing its Scottish origins as in MacCumming or MacComming.

The surname may also appear hyphenated in some instances, such as Cumming-Smith or Cummings-Jones. Occasionally, a prefix might be added, like O'Cummings or O'Cumming, predominantly used in Irish contexts to delineate descent. The surnames are generally the same but due to different regional accents and spellings, they appear differently in written form.

Despite the different spellings, they all share the same etymology. The surname originates from a Scottish clan named Comyn or Cumming, derived from a place called Comines, near Lille, France. The name signifies "one coming from Comines". The Cumming family in Scotland was historically very powerful, particularly during the 13th and early 14th centuries.

Famous people with the name Cummings

• E. E. Cummings: A renowned American poet, artist, essayist, and playwright known for his distinctive style in poetry.
• Whitney Cummings: An American stand-up comedian, actress, producer, and writer known for her work on NBC's "Whitney".
• Burton Cummings: A Canadian musician and songwriter, famous for being the lead singer of the band The Guess Who.
• Pat Cummings: A former professional basketball player who played for multiple NBA teams during the 1980s.
• Robert Cummings: An American film and television actor known for his roles in "The Devil and Miss Jones" and "Kings Row".
• Alan Cummings: An award-winning Scottish-American actor, singer, writer, producer, director, and activist known for his role in the Broadway musical "Cabaret".
• Chace Crawford (Christopher Chace Crawford): An American actor known for portraying 'Nate Archibald' in the TV series Gossip Girl. His maternal grandmother's maiden name is Cummings.
• Jim Cummings: An American voice actor and singer, who has provided voices for numerous characters in animated films, including Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Darkwing Duck.
• Homer Stille Cummings: An American lawyer and politician who served as U.S Attorney General under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Dominic Cummings: An English political strategist who served as a special adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Other surnames

CumminCummineCummingCummins