sb. and a. Hist. [repr. OE. Súð(an)hymbre: cf. NORTHUMBRIAN.]
A. sb. A native or inhabitant of the northern part of the early English kingdom of Mercia.
1823. Ingram, trans. Saxon Chron., 37/2. Oswald was slain by Penda, king of the Southumbrians [in 642].
1853. C. D. Yonge, trans. Matt. Westminster, I. 333. The Mercians, who are also called the Southumbrians, that is to say, that part of the Mercians north of the river Trent.
1899. Plummer, Sax. Chron., II. 440/2. Penda a Southumbrian.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to northern Mercia.
1887. Dict. Nat. Biogr., XI. 213. A reaction against the Southumbrian party.
1899. Plummer, Sax. Chron., II. 35. Extent of the Southumbrian kingdom.