Surname Compson - Meaning and Origin

Compson: What does the surname Compson mean?

The last name Compson is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word cumb's-tun which translates to den or enclosure of a man named Cumb. There were several places called Cumbestun in England and it is likely that these various places are related to the name. The Compson variant of this name is associated with the Cumbestun family, who were once influential landowners in the eastern English counties of Hertfordshire and Essex.

Originally, the Compson name would have referred to a person living near a manor belonging to the Cumbestun family, or even on their land. It is possible that the Compson’s could have been employed by the family, providing a livelihood for their own family. Alternatively, they could have provided goods and services to the family in return for payment or a piece of land.

By the 19th century, the Compsons could be found all over Britain and in some places in America and Australia too. Today, there are many Compson’s living in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and North America. The name is still connected to the original Cumbestun family, and can be seen as a reminder of its noble English roots.

Compson: Where does the name Compson come from?

The Compson surname is most common today in the United States, where it can be found in communities evenly spread across the country. It is especially prevalent in the Southern states, including California, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Therefore, Compsons probably descend from immigrants who settled in the region during the 1700s.

In the US, Compsons also have roots in Irish and English ancestry. It is quite likely that bearers of the name Compson in the US are descended from Irish immigrants who sought new opportunities in America in the 19th century. It is also possible that the surname was brought by English or Scottish settlers to the US.

In the UK, the Compson surname is still in use, but it is much less common than in the US. Stemming from a Welsh origin, the Compson surname is especially common in Northern England and parts of Scotland.

Overall, the Compson surname is most common in the United States, with a smaller presence in the UK. This is likely due to the region’s predominantly British and Irish roots. It is also likely that many of the Compsons living in the US today are descended from migrants who came to the country in search of opportunity.

Variations of the surname Compson

The surname Compson is an English patronymic name derived from the medieval given name Combe or Cumb which itself is derived from the Latin root "columba," meaning "dove." Over time, the surname has developed many variants, spellings and related surnames, including:

Combeson, Combison, Comcison, Compeson, Compesson, Compson, Compston, Comson, Compsen, Cobbason, Cobson, Cumberson, Cumbeson, Cumson, Cumsen, and Kumpson.

The most common variation of the surname Compson is Combeson, which is derived from the Old Norse meaning "son of Combe or Cumb." This variant is most common in Scotland and is also found in the United States.

In Ireland, the surname Compson appears in various spellings, including Compeson and Cumsen. Compeson is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Commeiscín." Similarly, Cumsen is derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Comiskey," which means "son of Comiskey."

The Compson surname also has Scandinavian variants, including Cumberson and Kumpson. Cumberson is derived from the Danish and Swedish name "Kåmberson," which means "son of Cumb," while Kumpson is derived from the Swedish variant "Kumpe," which has the same meaning.

In America, the surname Compson became popular in the 19th century. Variations of the name, such as Cobson, Compston and Compesson, have been found in many census records from the United States.

The Compson surname has also been spelled and pronounced differently by different immigrant families to America, resulting in more unique variations, such as Compsen and Combison.

No matter how the surname has been spelled over the generations, it is ultimately derived from the Latin root "columba," meaning "dove."

Famous people with the name Compson

• Jason Compson, actor and producer
• William Faulkner, writer and Nobel Prize laureate
• Clifford Compson, football player
• Lillian Compson, actress
• Robert Compson, actor
• Edward Everett Compson, actor
• William Compson Jr., actor
• Kenneth Compson, actor
• Michael Compson, actor
• Kenneth Compson, painter
• Jay Compson, drummer and singer
• Margaret Compson, actress
• William Compson Jr. movie producer
• Beverly Compson, singing teacher
• Victor Compson, actor and director
• Richard Compson, producer and director
• Paul Compson, playwright
• Earl Compson, actor and director
• John Compson, producer, director and actor
• Richard Compson, college football coach

Other surnames

CompstonCompsty