Smith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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]

Early History of the Smith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smith research.

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 (pre 1700)

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 and Warwick (1652-1653); William Smyth (died 1658), Doctor of Divinity (DD).

Smith World Ranking

In the United States, the name Smith is the 1^st most popular surname with an estimated 2,501,922 people with that name. [3] However, in Canada, the name Smith is ranked the 1^stmost popular surname with an estimated 192,145 people with that name. [4] And in Quebec, Canada, the name Smith is the 178^th popular surname. [5] Newfoundland, Canada ranks Smith as 3^rd with 1,521 people. [6] France ranks Smith as 861^st with 5,920 people. [7] Australia ranks Smith as 1^st with 212,493 people. [8] New Zealand ranks Smith as 1^st with 13,667 people. [9]The United Kingdom ranks Smith as 1^st with 566,946 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.

 Smith migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Smith arrived in North America very early: 

Smith Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Mr. John Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1611 aboard the ship “Elizabeth” [13]
• Mr. William Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship “Sampson” [13]
• Mr. John Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship “Bona Nova” [13]
• Osmond Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 [14]
• Capt.John Smith, British settler who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship “Abigaile” [15]

Smith Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Elinor Smith, who landed in Virginia in 1704 [14]
• John William Smith, aged 14, who landed in New York in 1711 [14]
• Crispianus Smith, who landed in Virginia in 1712 [14]
• Augustine Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 [14]
• Ambrose Joshua Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [14]

Smith Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Charles R Smith, who arrived in New York in 1801 [14]
• Jenny Smith, aged 26, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 [14]
• Jeremiah Smith, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1803 [14]
• M E Smith, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1804 [14]
• Matt Smith, who arrived in America in 1805 [14]

Smith Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Joe Smith, who landed in Arkansas in 1904 [14]
• Jens Nissen Smith, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1914 [14]
• Charles Victor Smith, who landed in Alabama in 1918 [14]
• Christian Anholm Smith, who landed in Wisconsin in 1922 [14]
• Agnes Sybil Smith, aged 26, who arrived in Colorado in 1948