A Scottish and English surname of Simpson refers to the son of Simme or Sim. The Hebrew term 'shimeon' referred to obedience. The Old English term of ‘sigewine’ and adding ‘tun’ refers to an enclosure or settlement.

Other spellings for Simpson include Simson, Simsoun, Symsoun, and Symson.

In England most with the Simpson surname live in the northeast region, especially in Yorkshire and Lancashire counties. Several counties in Scotland have higher populations of the Simpson surname, especially in Aberdeenshire and Fife.

The states of Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and North Carolina have the highest numbers of Simpson families.

Famous: James Young Simpson (19th century pioneer in use of chloroform), Christopher Simpson (17th century British musician and composer), James W. Simpson (20th century English explorer of the North Pole), Robert Simpson (19th century founder of the Robert Simpson Company - market store), O. J. Simpson (football player, actor), Wallis Simpson (Duchess of Windsor) and Don Simpson (cartoonist).