Sims History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Sims is the product of a saga that began among the ancient Boernician tribes of Scotland. It is derived from the Medieval given name Sim which was derived from Simon, but denoted son of Simon. [1]

Early Origins of the Sims family

The surname Sims was first found in East Lothian, where the name is a diminutive of Symon and Simeon. 

In “Symmie and his Bruder,” a satire in the vein of Peblis to the play, we have mention of “Bayth Sym and his bruder,” and “Nowthir Syme nor his bruder.” [2]

Moreover, “Sim is not always representative of Clan Moc-Shimidh as some think-it is a common English name as well.” [2]

Early records of the name in Scotland include: “Sym Clerk [who] witnessed an instrument of resignation in 1446, John Sym de Banchry, recorded in 1503, Andrew Sym, vicar of Cumry (Comrie) in 1530 and William Sym [who] witnessed a precept of clare constat of 1548. William Sym in Nether Possill is recorded in 1596.” [2]

At about this time, we also found records in England, specifically Thomas Symme, listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. Christopher Sims, Berkshire appears in the Register of the University of Oxford in 1504; and Ellen Simms, of Warrington is listed in the Wills of Chester in 1593. [1]

Early History of the Sims family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sims research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1162, 1503, 1530, 1596, 1755, 1831, 1793, 1794, 1753, 1809, 1753, 1787, 1791, 1793, 1800, 1774, 1845, 1808, 1795, 1861, 1799, 1870, 1799, 1843, 1889, 1859, 1867, 1866 and are included under the topic Early Sims History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sims Spelling Variations

Spelling rules had not yet evolved in medieval Scotland, some names dating from that era often appear many different ways. Some spelling variations of Sims include Simms, Symes, Sime, Simes, Sim, Sym, Syms, Syme and others.

Early Notables of the Sims family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was John Syme (1755-1831), nicknamed “Stamp-Office Johnny,” a close friend of Robert Burns’. In the summers of 1793 and 1794, he joined Burns on his two short tours of Galloway. He and Alexander Cunningham were amongst the most active of the friends and admirers of Burns’s works who raised funds for the poet’s family. Together with Dr Willam Maxwell he arranged Burns’s funeral. [3] Michael Symes (1753?-1809), was a British soldier and diplomatist, born about 1753, entered the army about 1787, and went to India in the following year with the newly raised… 
Another 249 words (18 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sims Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sims World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sims is the 195^th most popular surname with an estimated 129,324 people with that name. [4] However, in Australia, the name Sims is ranked the 437^thmost popular surname with an estimated 8,615 people with that name. [5] And in New Zealand, the name Sims is the 644^th popular surname with an estimated 1,116 people with that name. [6] The United Kingdom ranks Sims as 496^th with 12,983 people. [7]

 Migration of the Sims family to Ireland

Some of the Sims family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Sims migration to the United States +

The Boernician-Scottish people who came to North America were often nearly penniless when they arrived, and brought very few personal effects with them. Much Scottish heritage was lost in the process, and it is only this century that highland games, Clan societies, and other patriotic Scottish organizations have helped the ancestors of Scots to rediscover their national legacy. Simss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: 

Sims Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Andrew Sims, who landed in Virginia in 1635 [8]
• Bartholomew Sims, who arrived in Virginia in 1663-1664 [8]
• Job Sims who settled in Nevis in 1663
• Samuel Sims, who arrived in Maryland or Virginia in 1672 [8]
• Eleanor Sims, who landed in Maryland in 1679 [8]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)