Message: "Soames?" - Behind the Name

Soames?

by Elphi

12/15/2006, 1:05 PM

I just picked up a copy of The Fosyte Saga, and the father is named Soames, as first name.
Does anybody know anything about this name, I don't even feel sure how to pronounce it.
When I searched on it I only got hits for it as a surname, but it is not listed as that here either.
Any input appreciated.

#Soames

Replies

- Cleveland Kent Evans (clevelandkentevans) +2

12/17/2006, 4:23 PM

Normally Soames rhymes with the words "combs" and "domes".

It is an English surname originally, indicating that one's ancestor came from a place called Soham in Cambridgeshire or Suffolk. The place name meant "homestead by a swampy pool."

The above information is from A Dictionary of English Surnames by Reaney & Wilson; and A Dictionary of English Place-Names by A. D. Mills.

- Isla

12/22/2006, 1:59 AM

That's the way it's pronounced in the miniseries, too, btw. :)

- Elphi

12/17/2006, 5:10 PM

Thank you!

I would have guessed on said pronounciation, but figured I could be very wrong.
Thank you for looking it up in your dictionary!

- elizabeth (guest)

12/15/2006, 3:03 PM

hey

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