| ![Show Contents]() Smathers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Smathers is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a person who worked as a smith or smitty (blacksmith). 1 2 During the Middle Ages smiths were important for their skill in making horseshoes, ploughshares as well as swords, other weapons and armour. Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. Early Origins of the Smathers familyThe surname Smathers was first found in Warwickshire where John Smythiere was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1379. 3 Early History of the Smathers familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smathers research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smathers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smathers Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Smathers are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Smathers include Smithers, Smithies, Smythies, Smither and others. Early Notables of the Smathers familyMore information is included under the topic Early Smathers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smathers RankingIn the United States, the name Smathers is the 15,048th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4 Migration of the Smathers familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Smathers or a variant listed above: George Smither who settled in Virginia in 1652; Christopher Smithers settled in Maryland in 1704.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Smathers (post 1700) | + |
- James Field Smathers (1888-1967), American inventer of the first practical power-operated typewriter in 1920
- William Howell Smathers (1891-1955), United States Senator from New Jersey from 1937 to 1943
- George Armistead Smathers (1913-2007), American lawyer and politician who represented Florida in the United States Senate (1951-1969), eponym of the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida and Smathers Beach, Key West, Florida
- Bruce Armistead Smathers (b. 1943), American Secretary of State of Florida (1975-1978)
- William Howell Smathers (1891-1955), American Democratic Party politician, Common Pleas Court Judge in New Jersey, 1922; Member of New Jersey State Senate from Atlantic County, 1935-37 5
- George Armistead Smathers (1913-2007), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Senator from Florida, 1951-69 5
- Bruce Armistead Smathers (b. 1943), American Democratic Party politician, Secretary of State of Florida, 1975-78 ; Candidate in primary for Governor of Florida, 1978 5
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 20) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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