Smith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Smith

What doe the name Smith mean?

Smith is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a metalworker (the blacksmith). It is derived from the Old English word smid, probably derived form “smitan,” which meant “to strike with a hammer.” As metal worker was such a common and important profession in Medieval times, this name and its cognates are extremely widespread throughout the British Isles and Europe. However, there is some debate as to why the occupation of blacksmith would lead to such a populous surname. One might expect that Farmer, also an occupational name, but with far more people involved in the profession in the Middle Ages, would today be a much more populous surname than Smith. It is probably a futile exercise to try to establish a single source for this amazing, monumentally prolific surname.

Early Origins of the Smith family

The surname Smith was first found in Durham, in present day Northumbria (North-Eastern England) where an Olde English version of the name is cited in circa 975, almost 100 years before the Normans would invade this part of England.

Some of the family moved to Mount Thoydon in Essex. “The church [of Mount Thoydon] is a handsome edifice, containing many fine monuments to the family of Smyth, among which is one to Sir Thomas Smyth, chancellor of the garter, and principal secretary of state, in the reigns of Edward VI. and Elizabeth.” 1

“Wootton Hall [in Wooton-Wawen, Warwickshire] was early the seat of the Smythe family, of whom was Lord Carrington, who, at the battle of Edge-Hill, bravely redeemed the royal standard, as is recorded on his monument in Christ-Church, Oxford. Over the front entrance of the Hall are the arms, finely executed in relief, of Lord Carrington. ” 1

“The extensive manor of Mitchell-Morton, which stretches into the parishes of Kilkhampton, Moorwinstow, and Jacobstow, in Cornwall, and Week St. Pancras in Devonshire, is generally denominated from this parish. This large manor belonged, about the year 1660, to the family of Smith.” 2

Smith Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Smith has appeared include Smith, Smyth, Smythe and others.

Early Notables of the Smith family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

• Richard Smith (1568-1655), officially the Bishop of Chalcedon, the second Catholic bishop for England, Wales and Scotland after Catholicism was banned in England in 1559
• John Smith (c. 1608-1657), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1644, supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War
• John Smith (died 1663) English-born immigrant to the Massachusetts Bay Colony c. 1631, 3rd President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1649-1650), 6th President of Providence a…
• Admiral Sir Jeremiah Smith (Smyth) (died 1675), English officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars
• Erasmus Smith (1611-1691), an English merchant, landowner and philanthropist in Leicestershire

Smith World Ranking

In the United Kingdom, the name Smith is the 1^st most popular surname with an estimated 566,946 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Smith is ranked the 1^st most popular surname with an estimated 212,493 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Smith is the 1^st popular surname with an estimated 13,667 people with that name. 5 Canada ranks Smith as 1^st with 192,145 people. 6 Quebec, Canada ranks Smith as 178^th. 7 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Smith as 3^rd with 1,521 people. 8 The United States ranks Smith as 1^st with 2,501,922 people. 9 France ranks Smith as 861^st with 5,920 people. 10 Netherlands ranks Smith as 347^th with 4,490 people. 11 South Africa ranks Smith as 22^nd with 125,534 people. 12

 Migration of the Smith family to Ireland

Some of the Smith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Smith migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Smith Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Mrs. Ann Smith, (nee Overy), (b. 1750), aged 37, English convict who was convicted in Winchester for theft, transported aboard the “Charlotte” on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she was moved to the Charlotte, she died in 1837 13
• Miss Hannah Smith, (b. 1758), aged 29, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester. Glouceser Quarter Sessions for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the “Charlotte” on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1826 13
• Mr. William Smith, (b. 1755), aged 32, English convict who was convicted in Dorchester Assizes for 7 years for burglary, transported aboard the “Charlotte” on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1830 13
• Mr. John Smith, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
• Mr. John Smith, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barwell” in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Smith Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. James Smith, (Oldfield), (b. 1780), aged 20, English rope maker who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1824 15
• Mr. James Smith, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
• Mr. John Smith, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
• Mr. Robert Smith, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Earl Cornwallis” in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
• Miss. Ann Smith, Irish convict who was convicted in Dundalk, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the “Atlas” on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Smith Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

• “Miss Hannah Smith, (b. 1810), aged 18, English servant who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the “”Competitor”” on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia” 17
• “Miss Maria Smith, (b. 1806), aged 22, English needle woman who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the “”Competitor”” on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia” 17
• “Miss Mary Ann Smith, (b. 1806), aged 22, English servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the “”Competitor”” on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, daughter of Ann Rolph” 17

 Smith migration to New Zealand+

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Smith Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. Michael Smith, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship “Bee” arriving in New Zealand in 1831 18
• Mr. Samuel Smith, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship “Bee” arriving in New Zealand in 1832 18
• Mr. John Smith, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship “Brazil Packet” arriving in Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand in 1836 18
• Charles Smith, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
• William Smith, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

 Smith migration to West Indies+

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960’s many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Smith Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Mr. Daniell Smith, (b. 1614), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634
• Mr. Thomas Smith, (b. 1617), aged 17, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634
• Mr. Thomas Smith, (b. 1613), aged 21, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship “Hopewell” arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 20
• Mr. Alexander Smith, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship “Hopewell” arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 20
• Mr. Daniell Smith, (b. 1538), aged 96, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship “Hopewell” arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 20