Sumner is a

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

. It originates from the English-language word that is spelt, in modern English, ''summoner'', denoting a person who serves a

summons A summons (also known in England and Wales as a claim form and in the Australian state of New South Wales as a court attendance notice (CAN)) is a legal document issued by a court (a ''judicial summons'') or by an administrative agency of governme ...

. In

Geoffrey Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer (; – 25 October 1400) was an English poet, author, and civil servant best known for ''The Canterbury Tales''. He has been called the "father of English literature", or, alternatively, the "father of English poetry". He wa ...

's ''

The Canterbury Tales ''The Canterbury Tales'' ( enm, Tales of Caunterbury) is a collection of twenty-four stories that runs to over 17,000 lines written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387 and 1400. It is widely regarded as Chaucer's ''Masterpiece, ...

'', one of the characters is a summoner (see "

The Summoner's Tale "The Summoner's Tale" is one of ''The Canterbury Tales'' by Geoffrey Chaucer. The tale is a fierce counterpunch to the preceding tale by The Friar, who had delivered an attack on summoners. Summoners were officials in ecclesiastical courts who d ...

"); a

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

spelling is ''Somonour''. Other spellings include ''Sumpner'', ''Somner'', and ''Summoner''. Notable people with this surname include: *

Allen Melancthon Sumner Allen Melancthon Sumner Jr. (October 1, 1882 – July 19, 1918) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Biography Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he initially went to Harvard before securing a place in the Naval Academy. On March 17 ...

(1882–1918), American Marine * Andrew Sumner, British movie journalist and publisher * Benedict Humphrey Sumner (1893–1951), usually known as Humphrey Sumner, English historian *

Bernard Sumner Bernard Sumner (born 4 January 1956) is an English singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is a founding member of the bands Joy Division, New Order, and Electronic. Sumner was an early force in several areas, including the post ...

(born 1956), British musician *

Brian Sumner Brian Sumner is a British skateboarder, Christian pastor and traveling evangelist, originally from Liverpool, England. Sumner came to America at age 15, to pursue a career as a professional skateboarder. He currently resides in Huntington Be ...

(born 1979), British skateboarder * Bruce Sumner (1924–2018), American Superior Court Judge * Byron Sumner (born 1991), Australian rules footballer *

Carl Sumner Carl Ringdahl Sumner (September 28, 1908 – February 8, 1999) was a Major League Baseball player."Carl Sumner Statistical Record" ''The Sports Encyclopedia: BASEBALL'' published in 1974 by Grosset & Dunlap, p. 167 'Lefty' was born in Cambridge, ...

(1908–1999), American baseball player *

Charles Sumner Charles Sumner (January 6, 1811March 11, 1874) was an American statesman and United States Senator from Massachusetts. As an academic lawyer and a powerful orator, Sumner was the leader of the anti-slavery forces in the state and a leader of th ...

(1811–1874), American politician * Charles Sumner (bishop) (1790–1874), Anglican bishop (Landaff and then Winchester) *

Charlie Sumner Charles Edward Sumner (October 19, 1930 – April 3, 2015) was an American football player who was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 22nd round of the 1954 NFL Draft. A 6'1", 194 lbs. safety from the College of William & Mary, Sumner p ...

(1930–2015), American football player and coach * Charlotte Sumner, American neurologist *

Chris Sumner Christopher John Sumner AM (born 17 April 1943) is a former Australian politician. Sumner, who holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law and was a barrister and solicitor before entering politics, was elected to the South Australian Legisl ...

(born 1943), former Australian politician * Cid Ricketts Sumner (1890–1970), American novelist *

Claude Sumner Claude Sumner, SJ (1919–2012) was a Canadian professor of philosophy who worked at Addis Ababa University from 1953. He was best known for his work on Zera Yacob. Sumner died on June 24, 2012, in Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Mont ...

(1919–2012), Canadian philosopher *

Edmond Sumner Edmond Byron Sumner (born December 31, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard, he played college basketball for the Xavier Musketeers and after averag ...

(born 1995), American basketball player, NBA, Indiana Pacers * Edwin Vose "Bull" Sumner (1797–1863), American Civil War general * Elizabeth Keawepoʻoʻole Sumner (1850–1911), Hawaiian chiefess and lady-in-waiting * Francis Bertody Sumner (1874–1945), American ichthyologist, zoologist and writer *

Geoffrey Sumner Geoffrey Sumner (20 November 1908, Ilfracombe, Devon – 29 September 1989, Alderney, Channel Islands) was a British actor. As well as appearing in a number of films, he was also a commentator for British Movietone News., His parents were Edmund ...

(1908–1989), British actor, commentator for British Movietone News * Gordon Sumner, former Australian rules footballer * Sting (born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in 1951), lead singer of British Band

The Police The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For most of their history the line-up consisted of primary songwriter Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion). The Police ...

Gregory Sumner Gregory D. Sumner is a professor of History at University of Detroit Mercy and the author of the books ''Dwight Macdonald'' and the ''Politics (magazine 1944–49), Politics Circle,'' ''Unstuck in Time: A Journey Through Kurt Vonnegut's Life and No ...

, history professor and biographer *

Heywood Sumner George Heywood Maunoir Sumner (1853–1940) was originally an English painter, illustrator and craftsman, closely involved with the Arts and Crafts movement and the late-Victorian London art world. In his mid-forties he relocated to Cuckoo Hill, ...

(1853–1940), English artist, designer, writer and archaeologist * Humphrey Sumner (1743–1814), English Anglican priest and educationalist *

Increase Sumner Increase Sumner (November 27, 1746 – June 7, 1799) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician from Massachusetts. He was the fifth governor of Massachusetts, serving from 1797 to 1799. Trained as a lawyer, he served in the provisional go ...

(1746–1799), American politician and jurist *

J. D. Sumner John Daniel Sumner (November 19, 1924 – November 16, 1998) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his bass voice, and his innovation in the Christian and Gospel music fields. Sumner sang in five quartets and wa ...

(1924–1998), American singer and songwriter * James B. Sumner (1887–1955), American biochemist * Jean Sumner, American internist and academic administrator *

Jessie Sumner Jessie Sumner (July 17, 1898 – August 10, 1994) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois. Born in Milford, Illinois, Sumner attended the public schools. She graduated from Girton School, Winnetka, Illinois, in 1916 and Smith College, Northam ...

(1898–1994), U.S. Representative from Illinois *

Jethro Sumner Jethro Exum Sumner ( – c. March 18, 1785) was a senior officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Born in Virginia, Sumner's military service began in the French and Indian War as a member of the state's Provi ...

(1733–1785), American Revolutionary War general *

Joe Sumner Joseph Sumner (born 23 November 1976) is an English singer-songwriter and bassist for the rock band Fiction Plane, and co-founder of the company Vyclone, which made an app for recording video from multiple angles. Personal life Joe Sumner i ...

(born 1976), British musician * John Sumner (actor, died 1649) (died May 1649), English theatre actor * John Sumner (actor, born 1951), British actor *

John Bird Sumner John Bird Sumner (25 February 1780 – 6 September 1862) was a bishop in the Church of England and Archbishop of Canterbury. Early life John Bird Sumner was born in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, on 25 February 1780. He was the eldest son of the R ...

(1780–1862), Anglican bishop/Archbishop of Canterbury * John Robert Sumner (1850–1933), English amateur footballer, played in 1873 FA Cup Final (grandson of John Bird Sumner) *

John S. Sumner John Saxton Sumner (September 22, 1876 - June 20, 1971) headed the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice (NYSSV), a New York state censorship body empowered to recommend obscenity cases to the appropriate prosecutors. He served as Associat ...

(1876–1971), head of New York Society for the Suppression of Vice from 1915 to 1950 * Joseph Burton Sumner (1837–1920), American settler * Kelly Sumner (born 1961), British businessman * L. W. Sumner (born 1941), Canadian philosopher *

Liam Sumner Liam Sumner (born 16 August 1993) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Greater Western Sydney Giants and Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was picked up by the Giants in the ...

(born 1993), former professional Australian rules footballer * Major "Moogy" Sumner (born 1948), Aboriginal Australian elder, environmental activist, dancer, and cultural adviser *

Mary Sumner Mary Sumner (31 December 1828—11 August 1921) was the founder of the Mothers' Union, a worldwide Anglican women's organisation. She is commemorated in a number of provinces of the Anglican Communion on 9 August. Early life Mary Elizabeth H ...

(1828–1921), founder of the Mothers' Union * Mary Lou Sumner (1927–2002), American politician *

Mickey Sumner Brigitte Michael "Mickey" Sumner (born 19 January 1984) is an English actress best known for her film roles as Sophie Levee in ''Frances Ha'' (2012) and Farrah in '' The Mend'' (2014) and her television roles as Katia on '' Low Winter Sun'' (20 ...

(born 1984), English actress * Nancy Sumner (1839–1895), Hawaiian chiefess and lady-in-waiting *

Peter Sumner Peter Malcolm Sumner-Potts (29 January 1942 – 22 November 2016), professionally known as Peter Sumner, was an Australian actor, director, and writer. He had a long career in theatre, television, and film. Career His credits include parts in su ...

(1942–2016), Australian actor, director and writer *

Phil Sumner Phil Sumner is a cornet, keyboard and guitar player for the Kendal/Brighton-based rock band Sea Power originally from Shrewsbury. Previous bands include Brighton/Stroud-based rock band Actress Hands, and appearances on record with Electric Soft ...

(born 1990), cornet, keyboard and guitar player * Robert Sumner (1922–2016), American evangelist and writer *

Samuel S. Sumner Samuel Storrow Sumner (1842–1937) was a United States Army general during the Spanish–American War, Boxer Rebellion, and Philippine–American War. Early life Sumner was born in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania on February 6, 1842. Samuel's ...

(1842–1937), American general * Sarah Sumner, American evangelical theologian *

Sophie Sumner Sophie Sumner (born 15 January 1990) is an English fashion model. Their modelling career became notable after they were runner-up of ''Britain's Next Top Model, Cycle 5'' and later won '' America's Next Top Model, Cycle 18''. Early life Sumne ...

(born 1990), British fashion model * Steve Sumner (1955–2017), New Zealand football player * T. B. Sumner (1857–1934), American politician *

Thomas Hubbard Sumner Thomas Hubbard Sumner (20 March 1807 – 9 March 1876) was a sea captain during the 19th century. He is best known for developing the celestial navigation method known as the Sumner line or circle of equal altitude. Biography Thomas Hubbard ...

(1807–1876), American mariner * Tim Sumner (footballer) (born 1994), Australian rules footballer *

Tim Sumner (physicist) Timothy J. Sumner is Professor of Experimental Physics at Imperial College London. He is a member of the UK Dark Matter Collaboration, and Sumner's interests cover a wide range of astronomy-related fields, focusing particularly on particle physic ...

, Professor of Experimental Physics at

Imperial College London Imperial College London (legally Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine) is a public research university in London, United Kingdom. Its history began with Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, who developed his vision for a cu ...

* Walt Sumner (born 1947), American football player *

William Graham Sumner William Graham Sumner (October 30, 1840 – April 12, 1910) was an American clergyman, social scientist, and classical liberal. He taught social sciences at Yale University—where he held the nation's first professorship in sociology—and be ...

(1840–1910), American sociologist *

William H. Sumner William Hyslop Sumner (July 4, 1780 – October 24, 1861) was an American lawyer, soldier, and writer, and the son of Governor Increase Sumner. He graduated from Harvard College in 1799, and practiced law. He served as a general in the Massachuse ...

(1780–1861), Boston historical figure * William Keolaloa Sumner (1816–1885), Hawaiian chief and landholder

See also