Smales History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Smales was derived from the Old English word "smael" and the Middle English word "smel" which both mean "small, slender, thin" 1

Early Origins of the Smales family

The surname Smales was first found in Derbyshire at Smalley, a chapelry, in the parish of Morley, union of Belper, hundred of Morleston and Litchurch. 2

However, early records of the name are scattered throughout England: William Smale was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in 1275; Alexander le Smele was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1221; and William le Smale was listed in 1294. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following entries: Robert le Small in Huntingdon; and Henry Smale in Cambridgeshire. Later Willelmus Smale was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, and in 1468, Thomas Smale was listed as rector of Lerling in Norfolk. 3

We would be remiss if we didn't mention the Scottish connection to the name. "A deed of 1283 runs in the name of 'Oliverus et Ricardus Smally prepositi et ceteri prepositi ac cives Glasguenses congregati in placitis burgi que tenebantur apud Glasgu.' " 4 At about the same time, Ricardus Smaley witnessed a sale of land in Glasgow, c. 1280-1290.

Early History of the Smales family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smales research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1438, 1440, 1458, 1530, 1577, 1578, 1596, 1615 and 1665 are included under the topic Early Smales History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smales Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Smale, Smail, Smalley, Smaley and others.

Early Notables of the Smales family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smales Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smales migration to Australia +

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

Smales Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Joseph H. Smales, a sailmaker, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832

Smales 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:

Smales Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Sarah Smales, (b. 1840), aged 25, British dressmaker travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 1st January 1866 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Smales (post 1700) +

Thomas "Tommy" Smales (1935-2017), English professional rugby league footballer for the England National Team in 1962
Mr. Robert Smales, British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1583 to 1584

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html