Samuels
/ˈsæmjuəlz/noun
A surname meaning “descendant or family of Samuel.”
Did you know?In the biblical Book of Samuel, Hannah names her son Samuel after asking God for him, although scholars debate whether the name literally means “God has heard” or “name of God.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
Šəmūʾēl
“The biblical personal name Samuel; its exact etymology is debated, with traditional interpretations including “God has heard” and “name of God.””
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
ʾēl
““God” or “a deity,” the divine element also found in many Hebrew names.”
Medieval Hebrew and Christian usage
Hebrew/Latin
Samuel
“The biblical prophet’s name, preserved through Jewish and Christian religious tradition.”
Old French and Middle English
French/English
Samuel
“A personal name adopted into European naming traditions.”
Late Medieval to Early Modern English
English
Samuel's
“Originally “belonging to Samuel” or “Samuel’s descendant,” later developing into a hereditary surname.”
Modern English
English
Samuels
“A family name formed from Samuel with the patronymic plural ending -s, meaning “family or descendants of Samuel.””