Symington Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Meaning, Origin, Etymology
The surname of Symington is a west of Scotland surname that is derived from the lands of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire and the village of a Simon/Symon Lockhart who was a medieval knight, who held them under Walter, the first Steward of Scotland and was an ancestor the Lockharts of Lee.  From him they acquired the name of Symonstoun or Symington. Within the family traditions the name of Symington were originally Douglases from the upper ward of Lanarkshire. (Scot.-Eng.) belonging to Symington (Ayr: 13th cent. Symondstona; Lanark: 12th cent. Villa Symonis Locard) = Symon(d)’s or Simon(d)’s Estate [v. Simon(d; and + Old English tún] (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig)

Spelling Variations
Simington, Simmington, Symington, Symontown, Simonton, Simanton, Siminton

Early Marriage Records for Symington
Cathrine Symington married George Corbett on November 25, 1675 in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland
John Symington married Jannet Forrest on September 8, 1698 in Carmichael, Lanark, Scotland
John Symington married Agnes Anderson on April 26, 1706 in Saint Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
John Symington married Margaret Alison on December 12, 1710 in Dysart, Fife, Scotland
James Symington married Christan Dickson on January 8, 1716 in Traquair, Peebles, Scotland
Marion Symington married James Mccron on May 4, 1717 in Lesmahagow, Lanark, Scotland
Christian Symington married George Greenshiells in 1718 in Douglas, Lanark, Scotland
Isobell Symington married Robert Ladlay on June 9, 1719 in Channelkirk, Berwick, Scotland
Margrat Symington married James Anderson on December 22, 1721 in Traquair, Peebles, Scotland
James Symington married Margaret Hood on October 29, 1725 in Abbey Saint Bathans, Berwick, Scotland

Popularity & Geographic Distribution
The last name  ranks 91,946th  in popularity worldwide as of the 2014 Census and approximately 5,234 people carry the  surname worldwide. The name ranks particularly high in the following six states: North Dakota, California, New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Texas.  It ranks highest in the following countries: South Africa (1,244), United States (1,177), England (811), Canada (778), Australia (424), Scotland (423).

Early Bearers of Surname
John of Symonton was the deputy sheriff of Lanark in the year 1478
John Symonton was heir to the barony of Symontoun, and also held the office of baillie for the barony of Dowglas in 1612
Jean Syminton 1677 in IGI (Yester, E Lothian)
Joan Symmington 1707 in IGI (Pencaitland, E Lothian)
Isbel Syminton 1713 in IGI (Hutton, Berwicks)
James Symington 1725 in IGI (Abbey Saint Bathans, Berwicks)

History, Genealogy & Ancestry
SYMINGTON, Andrew (1785-1853), Scottish divine; M.A. Glasgow 1803; professor of theology in the reformed presbyterian church 1820; published theological works.

SYMINGTON, William (1763-1831), engineer; took out a patent for an improved form of steam-engine, 1787, and devised the first steam-boat for practical use, the Charlotte Dundas, 1802; his plans not supported; lost by death his patron the Duke of Bridgewater; died in poverty in London.

SYMINGTON, William (1795-1862), divine; younger brother of Andrew Symington; D.D. Edinburgh, 1808; a successful preacher and author; succeeded his brother as professor of theology in the reformed presbyterian church, 1853.

SYMINGTON, WILLIAM, William Symington (deceased), born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania in January 1811, settled in Will county in 1837.  In 1850-51, he was engaged in the California mines; returning, he located his 150 acre farm on section 19, and took up his residence there in 1852.  Mr. Symington was married June 12, 1837 to Miss Dorothea Haarer, born in Wurttemberg, Germany born October 8, 1815, whose parents were also old settlers.  This lady resides on her farm section 19, Joliet, Illinois.

SYMINGTON formerly OF DALKEITH
William Harris Symington, of New York City, born March 20, 1890; educated at Yale University, B.A.(1912).
Lineage ~ Janes Symington a militiaman at Edinburgh married Mary the daughter of Robert Watt (she married 2nd as his 2nd wife July 15, 1818. Lieut.-Col. Sir James Gardiner Baird of Saughton, 7th Bt., and died January 14, 1826, without further issue), died April 1, 1814.  His son, James Symington of Dalkeith, Scotland, left Madeira (where he had been Her Majesty’s Consul ca. 1830-1840) for New York, where he was settled by January 1840, born March 18, 1805 at Dalkeith, married 1853, Eliza the daughter of John Kelly, of Gort-Beg, Ireland, and died September 28, 1877, leaving issue 1) James born January 9, 1854 died November 5, 1921.  2) Havelock born February 2, 1858 died July 2, 1921. 3) Albert of whom presently. 4) Eliza born February 7, 1826 died October 6, 1872. 5) Florence born February 19, 1859 died July 6, 1878. The third son, Albert Symington of New York City, Counsellor-at-Law born October 24, 1862; educated at Yale, B.A.(1883), Columbia University Law School, LL.B. (1887), married April 24, 1889 Edith Louise, daughter of Colonel William Hamilton Harris of Cleveland, Ohio and died May 17, 1930, having had issue, 1) William Harris of whom we treat.  2) James Mansfield (Short Hills, New Jersey) born December 2, 1894 married May 3, 1919 to Cecily McKim. 3) Hazen (159, East 65th Street, New York) born August 17, 1893; married June 27, 1914 to George de F. Lord. Residence. 1021 Park Avenue, New York. Club-Yale (New York).

SYMINGTON formerly OF PAISLEY
William Clark Symington, of New Jersey, and Plymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.A., President of The Torsion Balance Co., and Christian Becker Inc., Lieut. Field Artillery, U.S. Army during Great War, born December 3, 1879; educated Sheffield Scientific Sch., Yale, Ph.B. (1902).
Lineage ~ Andrew Symington, probably a son of John Symington, of Monkshead (for whom is claimed descent from William Symington, Tutor of Symington, son of William of that Ilk, who died ante 1535) married July 1741, Margaret Sandilands, by whom he had with other issue, 1) Andrew bapt. September 21, 1748.  2) William of whom presently. 3) Walter who married 1800 Isobel Anderson and left issue. The second son, William Symington of Paisley, married 1784, Marion the daughter of Robert Brown, stocking manufacturer of Paisley and left issue, 1) Andrew (Rev.), D.D., graduate from Glasgow Univ., Minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in which Church he became Professor of Theology in 1820, D.D. Western Univ., Penn., 1831, and Glasgow Univ. 1840, born 1785; married December 18, 1811, Jane, daughter of Robert Stevenson, and died September 22, 1853, having by her had fourteen children.  2) William (Rev.) D.D., Minister of the Gospel at Stranraer and Glasgow, and Professor in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland, born 1795; married Agnes Speirs of Abbotsinch and died January 28, 1862 leaving issue. 3) James (Rev.) died 1827 having just been licensed to preach. 4) Robert Brown of whom presently. 5) Walter born 1824 merchant in Paisley; married Lilian Stevenson and died 1837 leaving issue. The fourth son, Robert Brown Symington born ca. 1787; married October 2, 1810, Margaret daughter of John Macalaster, Muslin manufacturer of Paisley, and died 1844, leaving numerous issue of whom, 1) William muslin manufacturer of Paisley and Glasgow, also a poet and man of letters born July 27, 1825 married July 27, 1860, Mary Sanderson, eldest daughter of Lawrence Edmonston, M.D. of Halfigarth, Unst, Shetland and left issue.  The second son, John Macalaster Symington of Oakshaw House, Paisley, yarn merchant in Paisley born July 4, 1813 married November 11, 1845, Elizabeth (died 1906), daughter of Alexander Balfour, Linen Manufacturer at Kirkcaldy, and died 1898 leaving issue, 1) Robert Brown of whom presently.. 2) Alexander Balfour, M.A. for some years Editor of The Sun, The Victorian, and the Atalanta magazines, London, and was author of several works of fiction born April 9, 1856; educ. University of Glasgow, graduate with honours in Classics. 3) John Macalaster, of Paisley, born August 27, 1858; married Janet Campbell, daughter of Thomas Blackwood, shipbuilder of Port Glasgow and died March 28, 1892, leaving issue, three daughters. 4) George Elder of Glasgow merchant born November 30, 1861 married April 30, 1889, Mary Jane Corry, daughter of Robert Kerr, thread manufacturer, Underwood, Paisley, and has issue, four sons.  5) Margaret Russell born December 24, 1846 (at Paisley); married August 29, 1866, William Clark and settled at Newark, N.J. U.S.A. by whom she had issue. 6) Mary Thompson born May 18, 1848 married August 18, 1868, George Coats, son of Sir Peter Coats, of Paisely and had issue. 7) Eliza Jane born November 2, 1850 married June 5, 1873 William Abercrombie (descended from the Abercrombies of Abbots Thrush and Abbots Kersiel and has issue. 8) Helen Landale born March 23, 1854 married August 5, 1879 George Vallance Boyd merchant in Glasgow and has issue. The eldest son, Robert Brown Symington settled in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. born at Paisley March 22, 1852 married at Paisley April 24, 1878 Jeanie the daughter of William Abercrombie, banker of Paisley (descended from the Abercrombies of Abbots Thrush and Abbots Kersie), by Robina Graham his wife and died March 30, 1918, leaving an only son, William Clark of whom we treat.  Arms ~ (Lyon Office November 7, 1907) ~ Argent, on a bend gules, a sword proper, hilted and pommelied or, between two Mollets, on in chief and one in base, of the second. Crest ~ A cross moline gules, charged with a lozenge argents. Motto ~ Progrediendo et alta petendo. Residences ~ 2 Park Place, Newark, New Jersey and The Pines, Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Early American Immigration and New World Settlers
Symington Settlers in United States in the 17th & 19th Century
Janet Symington, who settled in New Jersey in 1685 with her husband
Janet Symington, who landed in New Jersey in 1685

Symington Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
Alexander Symington, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Queen of Beauty” in 1863
George Symington, aged 22, a gardener, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Resolute” in 1865
Jane Symington, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Resolute” in 1865

Mottoes
Progrediendo et alta petendo –  And the tall forward, asking

Grantees
SYMINGTON, William Clark, (Lyon Office November 7, 1907)

Notables
Arthur Symington (1931-1995), Scottish playwright
Col. John Symington, American soldier and Commander of the Allegheny Arsenal when it exploded in 1862
Colin Fraser Symington (1905-1943), botanist whose name is abbreviated Symington
Donald Symington (1925-2013), American actor, known for his roles in Annie Hall, Spring Break, and Fantasy Island, brother of John Fife Symington
Fife Symington III (born 1945), American politician; Governor of Arizona
Gaye R. Symington (b. 1954), American politician, 91st Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives (2005-2009)
Herbert James Symington (1881–1965), Canadian lawyer and aviation businessman
James Harvey Symington (1913-1987), American leader of the Exclusive Brethren from 1970-1987
James Wadsworth Symington (b. 1927), American attorney and politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri (1969-1977)
John Fife Symington III (b. 1945), American businessman and politician, 19th Governor of Arizona (1991-1997)
John Fife Symington Jr. (1910-2007), American diplomat, United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago (1969-1971)
Marc Symington (born 1980), English cricketer
Sara Symington (born 1969), English cyclist and Olympian
Stuart Symington (1901–1988), American businessman and politician; U.S. Senator from Missouri
Stuart Symington (cricketer) (1926–2009), English cricketer and captain of Leicestershire
William Stuart Symington (1901-1988), American U.S. Senator from (1953-76)
William Symington (1764-1831), Scottish engineer, early steamboat builder of the Charlotte Dundas, regarded as the world’s “first practical steamboat”

American Revolution Veterans
Thomas Simmington, Pennsylvania, Rank of Private

Civil War Veterans
H. Symington, 1st Regiment, Mobile (Alabama) Volunteers, Confederate, AlabamaH. Symington, British Guard Battalion, Louisiana Militia, Confederate, LouisianaHenry Symington, 15th Regiment, US Infantry (Regular Army), Union, Union Regular Army
Hugh Symington, 7th Regiment, Louisiana Infantry, Confederate, Louisiana
James Symington, 1st Regiment, Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Union, Connecticut
James Symington, 18th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry, Confederate, Mississippi
James Symington, 71st Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Union, Pennsylvania
John Symington, General and Staff Officers, Non-Regimental Enlisted Men, CSA, Confederate, Confederate Troops
John Symington, 1st Regiment, Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Union, Connecticut
John Symington, 42nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Union, Illinois
John Symington, 2nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry, Union, Pennsylvania
John Symington, 19th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Union, Pennsylvania
John Symington, 6th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, Union, Pennsylvania
John Symington, 1st Regiment, Virginia Infantry, Confederate, Virginia
John Symington, 38th Battalion, Virginia Light Artillery, Confederate, Virginia
John B. Symington, 12th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, Confederate, Virginia
John D. Symington, 1st Regiment, Missouri Light Infantry, Union, Missouri
John D. Symington, Light Battery, Mississippi Marine Brigade, Union, Union Volunteers
Robert Symington, 11oth Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Union, Pennsylvania
T.A. Symington, General and Staff Officers, Non-Regimental Enlisted Men, CSA, Confederate, Confederate Troops
Thomas Symington, 110th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Union, Pennsylvania
Thomas Symington, 10th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, Confederate, Virginia
Thomas E. Symington, 84th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Union, Pennsylvania
Thomas H. Symington, 6th Regiment, US Cavalry, Union, Union Regular Army
W.H. Symington, 10th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, Confederate, Virginia
W.L. Symington, 10th Regiment, Confederate Cavalry, Confederate, Confederate Troops
W.S. Symington, General and Staff Officers, Non-Regimental Enlisted Men, CSA, Confederate, Confederate Troops
William H. Symington, General and staff Officers, Non-Regimental Enlisted Men, CSA, Confederate, Confederate Troops
William H. Symington, 17th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, Confederate, Virginia
William H. Symington, 21st Regiment, Virginia Infantry, Confederate, Virginia
William H. Symington, 38th Battalion, Virginia Light Artillery, Confederate, Virginia
William I. Symington, 149th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, Unon, Pennsylvania
Wm. M. Symington, Weston’s Battalion, Maryland Infantry, Confederate, Maryland

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (that Ilk, co. Lanark). Gu. a two-handed sword in bend or, betw. two mullets in chief and one in base of the second. Crest—A cross moline lozengy pierced or.
2) [Symonston, Scotland,] gu. a two-handed sword, bendwise, betw. two mullets or.
3) (that Ilk, co. Lanark). Gu. a two-handed sword in bend or, betw. two mullets in chief and one in base of the second. Crest—A cross moline lozengy pierced or.
4) [Symonston, Scotland,] gu. a two-handed sword, bendwise, betw. two mullets or.