Last Name Som

The surname Som has multiple origins depending on the region. Here are a few possible origins: 1. English: It is derived from a nickname for someone with dark complexion, possibly from the Old Norse word 'sammr' meaning swarthy or from the Middle English 'samme' meaning the same (as in a servant). 2. Jewish: It may be an Americanized form of the Jewish surname Shomroni, which is derived from the Hebrew word 'Shomron', meaning the district of Samaria. 3. Greek: In Greece, Som can be a short form of the Greek name Demetrios (Demetrius), which comes from the Latin and Roman family name Demetrius, itself originating from the Greek name Δημήτριος (Dēmétrios), meaning "dedicated to Demeter". 4. Indian: In India, Som is a common surname in the state of Karnataka, where it is derived from a Hindu first name meaning moon or summer solstice. 5. African: In Africa, Som can be a variant of the Swahili name Sume, which means merciful.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Som

The meaning and origin of the last name Som

The surname Som originates from Old Norse roots, specifically from the word "Sveinn," which means young man or son. Over time, this name evolved into variations such as Sven, Swen, and eventually Som in some regions, particularly within Scandinavian countries. The migration of Viking settlers across Europe brought about the spread of these names, including Som, to various parts of the continent. The surname Som is prevalent in several countries, most notably England, Norway, and Denmark. In England, it often appears as Söm or Summ, while in Scandinavia, it is more commonly spelled Søm or Som.

Geographical distribution of the last name Som

The surname Som is predominantly found in regions with significant populations of Turkish descent, as it originates from Turkey. It is most common in the western and southern parts of the country, particularly in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya. The name has also spread to other countries due to migrations, notably to Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States, where Turkish immigrants have established large communities. Additionally, the name Som is found in other parts of Asia, such as India, where it might be a regional variation or an unrelated surname.

Variants and spellings of the last name Som

The surname Som can be found with several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Here are some common forms:

* Som (most common, English spelling)
* Szom (Hungarian diacritic)
* Сом (Cyrillic alphabet, Russian spelling)
* Sum (phonetic English spelling)
* Söm (different capitalization or typographical error)
* Zom (misspelled version)

It is important to note that the surname Som originates from various ethnic groups and countries. For example, it is a common last name among Hungarians, as well as in some Indian languages like Bengali and Marathi, where it can mean "prosperous" or "lucky." Additionally, Som can also be found in various African countries such as Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. In each of these cultural contexts, the specific spelling may vary slightly based on linguistic conventions and regional dialects.

Famous people with the last name Som

The Som family name is associated with several notable individuals across various fields. In politics, Ahmed Qureshi Som hails from Somalia and served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the Federal Republic of Somalia between 2013 and 2017. In the music industry, Somali-American rapper K'Naan, whose real name is Keinan Abdi Warsame, gained fame with his politically charged songs that address issues in his native country. In the scientific community, Ming Som, a Chinese-American computer scientist, is known for his contributions to data compression and information theory. Lastly, Korean-American author Chang-rae Lee, whose pen name includes the surname 'Som,' has won numerous awards for his literary works, including the 2001 PEN/Hemingway Award and the 2000 Asian American Literary Award for Fiction.

Genealogical research on the last name Som

The Som surname is of Old Norse origin and is prevalent among populations of Scandinavian descent. It is derived from the given name Svein or Swen, meaning "swan." This name was popularly brought to England by Viking invaders in the 9th and 10th centuries and eventually spread across Europe through migration and conquest. In England, the surname evolved into variations such as Somes and Sums. The Som family lineage can be traced back to medieval England, with notable bearers of this name including Sir John Somer, a prominent politician and lawyer during the reign of King Henry III in the 13th century. The Som family also played significant roles in the history of Scotland, with several members serving as bishops, abbots, and nobles throughout the Middle Ages. Today, the Som surname is predominantly found in Norway, Sweden, England, and Scotland.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Som"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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