Ireland to Minnesota: with a Bavarian sprinkle: Somers

The surname Somers is of Anglo-Saxon origin. There are two possible derivations for this name, the first being associated with the season of summer, thereby denoting a person with a sunny disposition and secondly an occupational reference for a carrier from the middle English "sum(p)tes" meaning, "driver of a pack animal".

The surname Somers although not very common in Ireland is widely dispersed throughout the country, with approximately one thousand entries in the 1911 National Census of Ireland.

Currently our known lineage begins with Martin Somers, but DNA shows a connection with contemporaries in the area around Tromaun, County Roscommon. The earliest record at this point seems to be Henry Sumers listed as a protestant in Atty Knockan in the Elphin Census of 1756. The name Henry does not show up in later families, however, so he might not be connected.

A more likely connection is Peter Somers. He died in 1777 and is buried in Tromaun Cemetery. There are many Peters found in our line. He is a possible grandfather to Martin Somers who was most likely born around 1780.