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Information based on data found in the Harleian Manuscripts dating from the 11th century verifies that the odd spellings were not different families, but were variations on the same surname. The Harleian Manuscripts report that Simister ancestry originated in Cornwall. The first Harleian recorded version of the name appears as Lord of the manor of Old Port in Modbury.
Many spelling variations are noted including Somester, Somaster, Summaster, Sumaister, Sommester, Sommaster, Simister, Semister, Simester, Semester, etc. I have also noted Cymester as a variation. As mentioned before, "Simister" does not appear until about 1750 1800. All the other variations disappear after about 1850.
About the 14th century, Richard Somaister of Cornwall married the senior heiress of the De La Port family, he was succeeded by Adam Somaister and on down to John Somaister, who in the 14th century acquired Painsford in Ashprington in Devon. The family later acquired Nether Ex and Widdecombe in Stokenham. Sir Samuel Somaister of Painsford and his four sons were active royalists in the civil wars of the 1640s. Painsford was eventually sold to the Kelland family. I was delighted to learn this history because I have found quite a few names from Devon and Widdecombe around the 1700_1750 and wondered why they were off the beaten track in Manchester. Now it looks like Manchester is off the beaten track from Cornwall!
The name came into some prominence in the late 1700's near Manchester, England. In the early 1700's, a man named James Somister acquired some farms in a village named Little Heaton. He became a respected figure in the parish and after his death in 1760 the area became known as Simister. The spelling of the name apparently evolved to Simister in the late 1700's.
A number of possible origins of the name have been advanced including:
SYMINISTER meaning lay minister
SOMESTER meaning abridger
SEAMSTER meaning a seamstress
SUMMISTER meaning a summarizer
SUMMASTER meaning a clerk or accountant
The fact that James Somister was a respected figure of the local parish may also have some bearing on the possibility of Syminister as an originating name. The area around Manchester was famous for its woolen mills in the early 1800's and seamster was an honored occupation. It has been stated that Simister derived from seamster, but that possibility becomes more and more remote. Among other things, Simister has three syllables while seamster has only two. Another consideration is that seamster is more typically applied to females, while a male is called a tailor. Given that English society has traditionally been male dominated, it is extremely unlikely that the family would adopt a female occupation as its identifier.
Incidentally, the first known American immigrant was William Simister to Virginia in 1659. There are at least 5 separate, unrelated Simister immigrations to the USA.
In any event, my line of Simisters lived in Evers Knoll, New Mills (also Newmills), Derbyshire (Derby), England. The town of Newmills is about 30 miles southeast of Simister village.
Kevin L. Simister(with thanks to Bill Simister)
Page Modified March 2, 1999