Surname Comins - Meaning and Origin

Comins: What does the surname Comins mean?

The surname Comins is of Celtic origin and is derived from the Old Gaelic name "MacComaidh", meaning "son of Comadh". The prefix "Mac" typically denotes "son of", whereas "Comadh" is a personal name that is believed to be derived from "com", meaning "gentile" or "kind". Therefore, the name Comins could potentially signify "son of the kind one". It is a patronymic surname, which were formed by adopting the given name of one's father, or sometimes from prominent figures within the bearer's community. This practice was common in Scotland and Ireland. The surname Comins, and its variations like Cumming and Comyn, are particularly associated with the northeastern regions of Scotland. The Comins were a powerful family in the Scottish Middle Ages, notably involved in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Over time, such surnames became hereditary as they passed down from generation to generation, signifying lineages and family relationships. It’s also important to note that surnames often changed over centuries due to factors like regional dialects, literacy levels, and immigration.

Comins: Where does the name Comins come from?

The surname Comins is of Celtic origin, stemming from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Comáin. It was originally used by descendents of a person named Comán, meaning "little hollow". When translated to the Anglo-Saxon language, it was Anglicized to Coman and then to Comins through phonetic spelling. The surname saw a further change by some families to Cummings or Cummins. The name has spread throughout Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales due to centuries of migration, but is more commonly found in Ireland and Scotland where Gaelic names originated. Today, it is typical in the UK, the USA, Australia, and Canada, often traced back to Irish and Scottish immigrants. Despite this spread, the name is considered pretty rare, not appearing among the most common surnames in these countries.

Variations of the surname Comins

The surname Comins is of English origin, derived from "Coombs" or "Combs". Its spelling variants and surnames of the same origin may include Cumin, Commings, Commins, Coomings, Cumins, Comyns, Cuming, Cumming, Cummins, and Cummings. It may also include regional variants based on ancient baronies or geographical locations such as Combes, Combe, Coombes, and Coombe.

The variations in the spelling of Comins were likely influenced by different factors such as linguistic practices, regional accents, and different dialects. Also, in the olden day handwriting, the minuscule 'u', 'n' and 'm' were very similar and misinterpretations could occur. The names may have undergone modifications over time due to immigration, as individuals or families may have modified their surnames to better fit into new cultural contexts.

It's important to note that the variations of the surname do not necessarily imply different family branches; they may represent different branches of the same family that adopted different spellings over time or different branches could have adopted the same spelling. In genealogical research, it's important to consider all possible variations when searching databases or records.

Famous people with the name Comins

• Pete Comins: a world champion adventurer, endurance athlete, and motivational speaker
• Martin Comins: an artist from the United Kingdom specializing in wood engraving
• William Comins Jr.: an American actor and former professional basketball player
• Henry Comins: a former Australian soldier, politician, and community leader
• Chris Comins: an American singer-songwriter
• Pat Comins: an award-winning nature photographer
• Jacob Comins: a former competitive figure skater
• Alicia Comins: an actress and model
• Kenneth Comins: a British television game show host
• Gordon Comins: an American poet, novelist, and playwright

Other surnames

CominComine