Smithie Surname HistoryThe name Smithie began among the descendants of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. It was a name for a smithy. Although Smithie appears to be an occupational name for a blacksmith, it has been suggested that when surnames came into use in Scotland, several different families simply 'took on' the name whether they had been blacksmiths or not. Thus, Smithie is a classic example of a polygenetic surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently. Early Origins of the Smithie familyThe surname Smithie was first found in northern England and Scotland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. In trying to establish a single source for this amazing, monumentally prolific surname Smith, it is asserted that they descended from Neil Cromb, a Chieftain who flourished in 1150, third son of Murdoch, Chief of the Clan Chattan, a confederation of twenty-six Clans of which Smith was a member Clan. Faber and Ferro were Latin equivalents of the name Smith which were used in medieval documents. William faber de Karel witnessed legal proceedings c. 1250. William the Smith served as a juror during an inquest held at Traquair in 1274. In Aberdeen there lived an Alan Smyth in 1398. Finally, a Patrick Smyth of Scotland is noted as being confined in the Tower of London in 1401. Early History of the Smithie familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smithie research. Another 240 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1620, 1660, 1665, 1668, 1699, 1720, 1853 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Smithie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smithie Spelling VariationsTranslation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Smithie has appeared Smith, Smyth, Smythe and others. Early Notables of the Smithie familyAnother 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smithie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Smithie family to IrelandSome of the Smithie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Smithie familyMany Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Smithie name: Rich Smith, who settled in Virginia in 1638; Abbigall Smith, who was granted land in Virginia in 1673; James Smith and his wife Mary, who immigrated to Boston in 1718 with their children, Abel Smith, who came to Boston in 1763.
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