| ![Show Contents]() Smell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of SmellWhat does the name Smell mean? The rugged western mountains of Scotland's coastline and the Hebrides islands were home to the ancestors of the Smell family. Smell was originally a name for a for a person noted for their smile, or happy personality. Smell is thus, a nickname surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Nicknames form a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, and can refer directly or indirectly to one's personality, physical attributes, mannerisms, or even their habits of dress. The surname Smell comes from the Old English word, smile, which means grin. Therefore, the surname Smell would have been adopted by someone with a distinct smile, or grin. Early Origins of the Smell familyThe surname Smell was first found in Cumberland, a historic county of North West England, now known as Cumbria. Early History of the Smell familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smell research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1630, 1660, 1670, 1689, 1697, 1740, 1763, 1774, 1787, 1795, 1890 and 1968 are included under the topic Early Smell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smell Spelling VariationsSpelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Smell has been spelled Smiley, Smellie, Smyly, Smyley, Smilley, Smilie and many more. Early Notables of the Smell family- William Smellie (1697-1763), Scottish obstetrician, who has been called the father of British midwifery
- William Smellie (1740-1795), a Scottish encyclopedist, master printer, Fellow of the Royal Society, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and naturalist
Migration of the Smell family to IrelandSome of the Smell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 163 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Smell migration to the United States | + |
The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Smell arrived in North America very early:
Smell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Adam Smell, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1765 1
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: Industria virtus et fortitudo
Motto Translation: Industry, valor, and fortitude.
- 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)
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