Contents [hide]

Smyth History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Smyth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The Smyth name was originally an Anglo-Saxon name that was given to a metalworker (the blacksmith). It is derived from the Old English word smid, probably derived form "smitan," which meant "to strike with a hammer." As metal worker was such a common and important profession in Medieval times, this name and its cognates are extremely widespread throughout the British Isles and Europe. However, there is some debate as to why the occupation of blacksmith would lead to such a populous surname. One might expect that Farmer, also an occupational name, but with far more people involved in the profession in the Middle Ages, would today be a much more populous surname than Smith. It is probably a futile exercise to try to establish a single source for this amazing, monumentally prolific surname.

Early Origins of the Smyth family

The surname Smyth was first found in Durham, in present day Northumbria (North-Eastern England) where an Olde English version of the name is cited in circa 975, almost 100 years before the Normans would invade this part of England.

Some of the family moved to Mount Thoydon in Essex. "The church [of Mount Thoydon] is a handsome edifice, containing many fine monuments to the family of Smyth, among which is one to Sir Thomas Smyth, chancellor of the garter, and principal secretary of state, in the reigns of Edward VI. and Elizabeth." 1

"Wootton Hall [in Wooton-Wawen, Warwickshire] was early the seat of the Smythe family, of whom was Lord Carrington, who, at the battle of Edge-Hill, bravely redeemed the royal standard, as is recorded on his monument in Christ-Church, Oxford. Over the front entrance of the Hall are the arms, finely executed in relief, of Lord Carrington. " 1

"The extensive manor of Mitchell-Morton, which stretches into the parishes of Kilkhampton, Moorwinstow, and Jacobstow, in Cornwall, and Week St. Pancras in Devonshire, is generally denominated from this parish. This large manor belonged, about the year 1660, to the family of Smith." 2

Early History of the Smyth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smyth research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1279, 1559, 1568, 1608, 1611, 1616, 1617, 1621, 1631, 1640, 1644, 1649, 1650, 1652, 1653, 1655, 1657, 1658, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1665, 1675, 1679, 1681, 1691, 1696, 1699, 1701, 1717, 1720 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Smyth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smyth Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Smyth has undergone many spelling variations, including Smith, Smyth, Smythe and others.

Early Notables of the Smyth family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

William Smyth (died 1658), Doctor of Divinity (DD), an English academic administrator at the University of Oxford elected head of Wadham College, Oxford (1616-1617)
Admiral Sir Jeremiah Smith (Smyth) (died 1675), English officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars
Sir James Smyth (ca. 1621-1681), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Exeter (1661-1679) and Member of Parliament for Camelford (1679)
Sir William Smyth, 1st Baronet (c. 1616-1696), an English politician

Smyth World Ranking

In the United States, the name Smyth is the 4,106^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Smyth is ranked the 489^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,817 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Smyth is the 525^th popular surname with an estimated 1,319 people with that name. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Smyth as 414^th with 15,720 people. 6

Migration of the Smyth family to Ireland

Some of the Smyth family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smyth migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Smyth were among those contributors:

Smyth Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Capt. John Smyth, who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607, taken prisoner in 1608 7
John Smyth, who landed in Virginia in 1611 8
Arthur Smyth, aged 25, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Margaret & John" 8
Mr. Francis Smyth of Essex who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Roxbury 9
Mrs. Smyth of Essex who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Roxbury 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Smyth Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Smyth, who arrived in Virginia in 1726 8
James Smyth, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 8
Philip Smyth, who landed in New York in 1795 8

Smyth Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Smyth, who arrived in New York in 1801 8
Francis Smyth, aged 29, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 8
John Smyth, who arrived in America in 1805 8
Mary Smyth, who landed in America in 1805 8
James Smyth, who landed in America in 1805 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Smyth migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Smyth Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Patrick Smyth U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 he died prior to c. 1810 10

Smyth Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Smyth, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1830
Bridget Smyth, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1832
Ellen Smyth, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1832
Connick Smyth, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
Catherine Smyth, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Smyth migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Smyth Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mrs. Mary Ann Smyth, (Smith), (b. 1801), aged 28, Irish servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Edward" on 1st January 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
William Smyth, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Nicol" in 1840 12
Robert Smyth, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Isabella Watson" in 1846 13
Jane Smyth, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Isabella Watson" in 1846 13
Elizabeth Smyth, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Isabella Watson" in 1846 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Smyth migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Smyth Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Joseph Hamilton Smyth, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
George Smyth, aged 23, a carpenter, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
Catherine Smyth, aged 22, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
Clara Smyth, aged 2, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
Dinah Smyth, aged 3 mths., who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Smyth (post 1700) +

William Smyth (1797-1868), American mathematician and theologian
Alexander Smyth (1765-1830), Irish-born, American politician; General during the War of 1812
Estelle Smyth, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1980 14
Edward Smyth, American politician, Member of California State Assembly, 1877-80, 1887-89 14
David J. Smyth, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1936 14
Dana Smyth, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 2004 14
Constantine J. Smyth, American Democratic Party politician, Nebraska State Attorney General, 1897-1901; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1904, 1912 14
Clifford Smyth, American politician, U.S. Consul in Cartagena, 1897 14
Charles H. Smyth, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1888 14
Cameron Smyth, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 2008 14
... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Smyth family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Smyth, British sailor, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 15

RMS Titanic

Mr. Thomas Smyth (d. 1912), aged 26, Irish Third Class passenger from Caltra, Galway who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 16
Miss Julia Smyth, aged 17, Irish Third Class passenger from Kilcogy, Cavan who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived in the sinking in life boat 13 16

The Smyth 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: Benigno Numine
Motto Translation: By Divine Providence.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th November 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/edward
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) WILLIAM NICOL. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840WilliamNichol.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ISABELLA WATSON 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846IsabellaWatson.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html