| ![Show Contents]() Smothers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The founding heritage of the Smothers family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Smothers comes from when one of the family 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 Smothers familyThe surname Smothers was first found in Warwickshire where John Smythiere was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1379. 3 Early History of the Smothers familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smothers research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smothers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smothers Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Smothers has been spelled many different ways, including Smithers, Smithies, Smythies, Smither and others. Early Notables of the Smothers familyMore information is included under the topic Early Smothers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smothers RankingIn the United States, the name Smothers is the 3,890th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 4
 Smothers migration to the United States | + |
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Smotherss to arrive in North America:
Smothers Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Abraham Smothers, aged 48, who immigrated to the United States from England, in 1904
- Daisy Smothers, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1907
- Ellen Smothers, aged 14, who immigrated to America, in 1907
- A.J. Smothers, aged 27, who settled in America, in 1919
| Contemporary Notables of the name Smothers (post 1700) | + |
- Tom Smothers (1937-2023), born Thomas Bolyn Smothers III, an American comedian, composer and musician, best known as half of the musical comedy team the Smothers Brothers 5
- Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers (1929-1993), American, Chicago blues guitarist and singer
- Little Smokey Smothers (1939-2010), American, Chicago blues guitarist and singer
- Tracy Stanton Smothers (1962-2020), American professional wrestler, known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation, and Extreme Championship Wrestling
- John Smothers, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kentucky, 1940 6
- Floyd C. Smothers, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1948 6
- Clay Smothers, American politician, Representative from Texas 24th District, 1980 6
- Charles L. Smothers, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Kentucky State House of Representatives 27th District, 1973 6
- Brenda Smothers, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1984 6
- Dick Smothers (b. 1939), American comedian, composer and musician, best known as half of the musical comedy team the Smothers Brothers 7
| Historic Events for the Smothers family | + |
SS Caribou - Mr. George A. Smothers, American passenger who was US Navy from Toledo, Ohio was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he survived the sinking
- 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/
- Tom Smothers. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Tom Smothers. Retrieved from http://www.smothersbrothers.com/
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- Dick Smothers. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Dick Smothers. Retrieved from http://www.smothersbrothers.com/
|
Smothers migration to the United States 
