The official version:

Cumming was named after

Col. William Cumming   (July 1788 - Feb 18, 1863),
                 son of Thomas Cumming and Ann Clay.

My Opinion

In my research on the early history of Cumming, it appears that Cumming was named after two Cumming brothers that operated a school in Wilkes County. This is not necessarily a different family.

From the Town of Cumming

It was necessary to have a seat of government to conduct county business, so the Justices of the Inferior Court purchased Land Lot 1270, Third District, First Section, on 12 November 1833, from John H. Dyson, Clerk of Superior Court, Wilkes County, Georgia, through his agent, Jacob Scudder. (A-190).

Jacob Scudder and John Dyson both taught schools in Wilkes County, GA whose students if they went on higher went to a school held by the Cumming brothers.

If anyone has any references to any original sources that might shine some light on this, I would like to have them.

Donna