Simmons
Usually a patronymic surname meaning “son of Simon,” though in some places it may also reflect older forms like Simund or even a changed form of Seaman.
The #114 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 1,469 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Most sources explain Simmons as a surname built from Simon, with the English possessive or patronymic ending -s meaning “son of.” Simon itself ultimately comes from the biblical Hebrew name Shimon. Some early writers also noted that in a few local families the name may have developed from the older form Simund, which is distinct from Simon, or even from Seaman through later sound changes.
History
The name is long established in England and became especially common in records where Simon was a popular medieval forename. Some 19th-century surname scholars also recorded local lines in which Simmons appears to have evolved through intermediate spellings such as Simonds and Symonds. In Sussex, one family tradition cited by Lower traced a Seaford line of Simmons back through a string of forms ultimately linked to Seaman.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Bardsley explicitly rejected the idea that Simmons comes from the name Sigismund, arguing that Simon was the real source.
From the historical record
“SIMMONDS SIMMONS I Simmon(d)'s (Son). SIMMS, SIMM's (Son): v. SImm. I for Sumner, q.v. ■■ Simonett, q.v.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)