| ![Show Contents]() Somer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of SomerWhat does the name Somer mean? The German state of Bavaria is the ancestral home of the Somer family. Nickname surnames, such as Somer, were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The family name Somer is a name for a person born in the summer. The name comes from the Old German word "sumar," which means "summer." Early Origins of the Somer familyThe surname Somer was first found in the region of Lower Franconia, where the name acquired a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. They later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries. They were always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. Early History of the Somer familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Somer research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1800, 1814, 1832 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Somer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Somer Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Somer include Sommer, Sommers, Summers, Somer, Somers and others. Early Notables of the Somer familyProminent among members of the name Somer in this period include Franz Joseph von Sommer (d. 1832), who published an innovative work on military training and took part in the 1814 campaign in France; Carl, his oldest son, was in the service of...
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Somer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Somer migration to the United States | + |
European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Somers to arrive in North America, and among them were:
Somer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Catrina Eliza Somer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 1
- Michael Somer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 1
- Hans Hendrich Somer, aged 34, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 1
Somer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Peter Somer, who arrived in New York in 1844 1
- H Somer, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 1
| Contemporary Notables of the name Somer (post 1700) | + |
- Thomas Somer, American politician, Mayor of Chicago Heights, Illinois; Elected 1999 2
- Sir Henry Somer Gullett (1878-1940), Australian politician, member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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