| ![Show Contents]() Smotherman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The many generations and branches of the Smotherman family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member 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 Smotherman familyThe surname Smotherman was first found in Warwickshire where John Smythiere was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1379. 3 Early History of the Smotherman familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smotherman research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smotherman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smotherman Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Smotherman were recorded, including Smithers, Smithies, Smythies, Smither and others. Early Notables of the Smotherman familyMore information is included under the topic Early Smotherman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smotherman RankingIn the United States, the name Smotherman is the 14,476th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4 Migration of the Smotherman familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Smotherman family emigrate to North America: George Smither who settled in Virginia in 1652; Christopher Smithers settled in Maryland in 1704.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Smotherman (post 1700) | + |
- Micheal Smotherman, American composer, known for his compositions on Glen Campbell's fourth album Basic (1978)
- Louie Smotherman, retired American soccer player who played professionally in the USISL A-League
- Nancy Jan Smotherman (b. 1953), birth name of Nancy Jan Davis, former American astronaut with over 673 hours in space, awarded the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal in 1998, NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1995 and 2002, and the NASA Space Flight Medal in 1992, 1994, and 1997
- Jordan LaVallée Smotherman (b. 1986), American ice hockey player with the Manchester Monarchs in the ECHL
- 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/
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