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Show ContentsSmoley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Early Origins of the Smoley family

The surname Smoley was first found in Lennox, in central Scotland where early records show John Smolet was one of the sheriffs of King James V in the Lennox, 1513. "John Smollert was suspected of being a fellow conspirator of the earl of Bothwell, 1591. John Smolate was witness to a notarial instrument of sale of land of Temple of Ballakenrane, 1457. Tobias Smallet, bailie of Dumbarton, was murdered by the Macgregors in 1604. Tobias George Smollett (1721-1771), novelist, was born in Dumbartonshire. " 1

One source derives "the name from Old English srnælheafod, 'small head.' in connection with this etymology he cites an anonymous writer of 1760 who referred to Tobias Smollett, the novelist, as "Sawney Mac Smallhead." 2

In England, John Smalheued was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332 and much later William Smalhed was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1524. 3

Early History of the Smoley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smoley research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1588, 1604, 1721, 1748, 1751 and 1771 are included under the topic Early Smoley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smoley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Smollett, Smollet, Smallet, Smollert and others.

Early Notables of the Smoley family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smoley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Smoley family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Adam Smollet who arrived in Virginia in 1642.

The Smoley Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Adhuc viresco
Motto Translation: Still grow green
  1. 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)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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