Simpson

Simpson is an English and Scottish surname derived from the given name Simon, with the patronymic meaning “son of Sim.” The name originated in the medieval period and became established as a family surname. Variants include Simson and Sims.

As a surname, Simpson is widespread in the English-speaking world and has been borne by numerous figures in politics, science, the arts, and sports. Notable real persons include the 18th-century mathematician Thomas Simpson, who developed Simpson’s rule for numerical integration, and the statistician Edward H. Simpson, associated with Simpson’s paradox. The name is also familiar from popular culture through Homer Simpson, a central character in the television series The Simpsons.

Simpson is also used in toponymy and institutions. There are towns and counties named Simpson in several countries, as well as streets, schools, and other places bearing the name.

In academic and cultural references, the term appears in mathematics and statistics through Simpson’s rule and Simpson’s paradox, named after the respective researchers. The surname remains a relatively common English surname in several regions and continues to appear in various public and cultural contexts.