Last Name Cumming

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cumming

The meaning and origin of the last name Cumming

The surname Cumming is of Scottish origin, derived from various places named Comyn or Cumming in Scotland. It is primarily associated with the Lowlands and the region of Fife. The name was originally a locative one, indicating someone who lived at or by one of these places.

The surname can also be traced back to the Norman conquest of England, where it was brought over by the Normans as a variant of the French name "Comte," meaning count or earl. In Scotland, the name became more common due to the influence of the powerful Comyn family, who held vast territories in the Lowlands during the medieval period.

Over time, the spelling of the surname has varied, including Cumming, Cummin, and Kummin, reflecting changes in pronunciation and orthography over the centuries. Today, the name is widely distributed around the world, with a significant number of bearers in Scotland, England, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cumming

The surname Cumming is predominantly of Scottish origin and has a significant distribution within Scotland, particularly in the regions of Fife, Perthshire, and Glasgow. It is also prevalent in the northeastern counties of England, including Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire, due to historical Scottish influence. Emigration from Scotland and these English regions led to the dispersal of the Cumming name across the globe. In North America, it is most frequently found in Canada, especially Ontario and Quebec, as well as in the United States, particularly in New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia. The name can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, reflecting the global migration patterns of Scottish settlers.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cumming

The surname Cumming has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include:

1. Cummings - This is one of the most frequent variations, which results from the omission of the final "g" sound in some dialects.
2. Cummingz - A phonetic spelling that attempts to represent the pronunciation more accurately.
3. Kominki (Polish) and Kumin (Russian) are ethnic variants that originated from immigrants who anglicized their names upon arrival in English-speaking countries.
4. MacCumhaigh or MacCumhaugh (Irish Gaelic) are hereditary names that translate to 'son of the smith' and have a similar pronunciation as Cumming.
5. Kimmins, Kymmings, Kymmings, Cuming, Cumin, Kominek, and Kumm are less common variations or misspellings of the name.
6. Another variant is MacCooimheallach (Scottish Gaelic), which translates to 'son of the smith of the hazel wood', although this is more rare and less commonly used as a surname in modern times.

Famous people with the last name Cumming

Notable individuals with the surname Cumming include:

1. Ewan McGregor, a Scottish actor and producer, best known for his roles in films such as "Trainspotting," "Moulin Rouge," and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
2. John Cumming, a 19th-century American abolitionist who was one of the founders of the New York Vigilance Committee, which helped escape slaves on the Underground Railroad.
3. Kirsten Dunst, an American actress, who gained fame in the 1990s with roles in films such as "Interview with the Vampire," "Jumanji," and the Spider-Man trilogy. Although her birth name is Dunst, she is often associated with the Cumming surname due to her marriage to actor Tobey Maguire, who shares the last name.
4. Rufus Cumming, a Canadian politician who served as the 16th Premier of Prince Edward Island from 1933 to 1935.
5. Billy Cumming, a Scottish footballer who played as a forward for clubs such as Queen's Park, Rangers, and Celtic during the early 20th century.

Genealogical research on the last name Cumming

The surname Cumming originates from Scotland and is derived from several places named Cumming or Komyn in Fife, Perthshire, and Aberdeenshire. The first recorded spelling of the name was in the mid-12th century as Comyn de Kymyz or Comyn de Kumyn. The Clan Cumming, also known as Clan Kennedy, is a Highland Scottish clan that originated from the region around Ayrshire. They were originally vassals to the powerful Norman family of the Earls of Carrick. The Cummings in America can be traced back to Scotland primarily through three branches: the Cummings of Appin, the Cummings of Inveralmond, and the Cummings of Lochiel. Some notable figures with the surname Cumming include Sir Patrick Spens, a 13th-century Scottish knight who is legendary for his role in the ballad "Sir Patrick Spens"; John Cumming, an American pioneer who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700s; and Robert Cumming, a founder of the town of Albany, New York.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Cumming"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025