Edmunds
A surname meaning “son of Edmund,” ultimately from an old given name meaning “prosperous protector.”
The #5,646 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 50,194 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Edmunds is a patronymic surname built from the medieval personal name Edmund plus the possessive or family-ending -s, meaning “of Edmund” or “descendant of Edmund.” The given name Edmund comes from Old English Eadmund, made from ead “wealth, fortune, prosperity” and mund “protection.” In plain terms, the original sense is often rendered as “prosperous protector” or “rich protector.”
History
The name Edmund was popular in medieval England because of saints and kings, especially St. Edmund of East Anglia. Surnames like Edmunds developed when people were identified as a son or family member of someone named Edmund. In some cases, related spellings and forms also overlap with continental names such as Edmond or Edmonds.
Origin
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Fun fact
St. Edmund was one of the best-known English saints of the Middle Ages, which helped keep the given name Edmund in wide use.
From the historical record
“V, f*"^^" Society Publications. V. I. Bury SL Edmunds VTills. V. s. Dingle/s History from Marble. V, 3. Trevelyan Ripere.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances