Contents [hide]

Cumming History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Sources

Cumming History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Cumming

What does the name Cumming mean?

It is generally believed that this name comes from a Breton personal name, derived from element "cam," meaning "bent," or "crooked;" or perhaps from the herb called "cummin" (cumin).

Or the name may have come from the place name Comines, in Northern France, bordering the Belgium border. Regarding this latter scenario, multiple sources agree with this postulation, but all include wording similar to "there is no positive evidence in favor of this view." 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Cumming family

The surname Cumming was first found in Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire in England, in the 12th and 13th centuries. Robert of Comyn (Comines,) (died 1069) was a noble who accompanied William the Conqueror and was made Earl of Northumberland. "He so commended himself to the king by his military skill that he was chosen at the end of 1068 for the difficult task of reducing the north of England to obedience. William I conferred on him the earldom of Northumberland, vacant by the flight of Gospatric. Comin was the founder of the family of Comyn, many of whom played an important part in the history of Scotland." 4

"The first of the name connected with Scotland is Willelmus Comyn, a churchman, chancellor to David I. He was promoted to the bishopric of Durham by the Empress Matilda, but had many controversies with his clergy. Later he was poisoned by some of their number who mixed poison with the wine of the Sacrament and give it to him to drink. Richard Cumyn, second of the name in Scotland, made a gift of the church of Lyntun-ruderic (Linton-Roderick) to the Abbey of Kelso for the weal of the souls of Earl Henry (d. 1152) and his own son, John. He also witnessed charters by William the Lion after 1165 (REM., I, 2). By his marriage with Hextilda, granddaughter of Donald Bane, king of Scots, he had a son, William, who became chancellor and great justiciary of Scotland. William married Marjory, daughter and heiress of Fergus, the last Celtic earl of Buchan between 1211-1224, and in right of his wife became earl of Buchan. " 2

John Comyn (d. 1212), was Archbishop of Dublin and was in his early life a trusted official and chaplain of Henry II.

Later, John Comyn (Cumyn) (c. 1215-1275) was Lord of Badenoch in Scotland and justiciar of Galloway in 1258. He founded and started the construction of Blair Castle with a tower in 1269. He was nephew of Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan, Constable of Scotland, and of Walter Comyn, Earl of Mentieth. 4

Alexander Comyn, 2nd Earl of Buchan (d. 1289), was Constable of Scotland, "the son of William Comyn, Earl of Buchan, the founder of Deer Abbey, and of Marjory, his second wife, who brought the title into the Comyn family. " 4

John Comyn the Elder (d. 1300?), of Badenoch, was 'claimant to the Scottish throne,' and was the second son of John Comyn, Justiciar of Galloway. His lordship of Badenoch came from his uncle, Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith. 4

His son, John Comyn the younger (d. 1306), of Badenoch, surnamed The Red, was one of the competitors for the crown of Scotland in 1291. 4

Early History of the Cumming family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cumming research. Another 456 words (33 lines of text) covering the years 1124, 1133, 1150, 1153, 1180, 1189, 1212, 1258, 1263, 1264, 1266, 1274, 1275, 1286, 1289, 1296, 1300, 1302, 1306 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cumming History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cumming Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Cumming has been spelled Cumin, Cumins, Cumine, Cummin, Cummins, Cummine, Comings, Comins, Commin and many more.

Early Notables of the Cumming family

Notable among the family at this time was John Comyn (died 1274), was justiciar of Galloway, the son of Richard Comyn and nephew of the powerful Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith. His son John Comyn the Elder (died 1300), of Badenoch, 'claimant to the Scottish throne,' was the second son of John Comyn, justiciar of Galloway. Alexander Comyn (d. 1289)...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cumming Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cumming World Ranking

In the United States, the name Cumming is the 7,288^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Cumming is ranked the 761^st most popular surname with an estimated 5,124 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Cumming is the 702^nd popular surname with an estimated 1,012 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Cumming family to Ireland

Some of the Cumming family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 142 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cumming migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Cumming family emigrate to North America:

Cumming Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

George Cumming, who settled in New Jersey in 1685

Cumming Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Antho Cumming, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 8
George Cumming, who arrived in Leeward Islands in 1709 8
William Cumming, who landed in Maryland in 1716 8
William Cumming, who arrived in Annapolis, Maryland in 1717
Thomas Cumming, who arrived in New England in 1773 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cumming Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Elnr Cumming, who landed in America in 1805 8
Jannett Cumming, who arrived in America in 1805 8
James Cumming, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1812 8
Tho Cumming, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 8
Ham Cumming, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cumming migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cumming Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. William Cumming U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 9

Cumming Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Cumming, his wife and their three children, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1803
Archibald Cumming, who landed in Canada in 1820
Daniel Cumming, who landed in Canada in 1820
John, Cumming Jr., who landed in Canada in 1820
John, Cumming Sr., who arrived in Canada in 1820

Cumming migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Cumming Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Alexander Cumming, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
J. Cumming, a mason, who arrived in Van Diemenâ€™s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. David Cumming, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Egyptian" on 5th April 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
Peter Cumming, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Royal Archer" in 1846 12
A. Cumming, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Royal Archer" in 1846 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cumming migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Cumming Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Cumming, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. David Cumming, (b. 1817), aged 24, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 13
Mr. John Cumming, (b. 1860), aged 8 months, British settler travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1860 13
Mr. Peter Cumming, (b. 1822), aged 38, British farm labourer travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1860 13
Mrs. Margaret Cumming, (b. 1827), aged 33, British settler travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd December 1860 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cumming (post 1700) +

Alfred Cumming (1829-1910), American soldier, brigadier general for the Confederacy in the American Civil War
R. C. Cumming, American politician, Mayor of Ocala, Florida, 1954-55 14
P. S. Cumming, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 1916 14
Mrs. L. G. Cumming, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1952 14
Kristi Cumming, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Utah, 2008 14
John P. Cumming, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 14th District, 1854 14
James Cumming, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2004 14
James Cumming (b. 1861), American politician, Member of Minnesota State House of Representatives, 1899-1902, 1917-18; Member of Minnesota State Senate 66th District, 1919-22 14
Hugh Smith Cumming Jr. (1900-1986), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, 1953 14
Alfred Cumming (1802-1873), American politician, Mayor of Augusta, Georgia, 1836 14
... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Cumming family +

HMS Royal Oak

Leslie Thomas James Cumming (1906-1939), British Marine with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 15

The Cumming Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Courage

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th January 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/egyptian
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ROYAL ARCHER 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846RoyalArcher.gif
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html