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 Text  An excerpt from www.HouseOfNames.com archives copyright © 2000 - 2012
Origins Available: Dutch, English, German, Irish, Scottish
Where did the English Smith family come from? What is the English Smith family crest and coat of arms? When did the Smith family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the Smith family history?
Smith is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally 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.
 MoreMore about the Smith History...
Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes: - Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
- Known spelling variations
- Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
- Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
- First settlers to North America
- Notable contemporary bearers of the name
- A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Smith has appeared include Smith, Smyth, Smythe and others.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.
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Our PDF Extended History includes the early history!
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smith research. Another 321 words(23 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1279, 1601, and 1602 are included under the topic Early Smith History in all our PDF Extended History products.
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Our PDF Extended History includes the early notables!
Another 52 words(4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products.
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Our PDF Extended History includes the Life In Ireland!
Some of the Smith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 139 words(10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products.
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This is a small excerpt from our full listing of settlers for the name Smith. Our PDF Extended History provide the complete listing from our dbase of over 500,000 settlers!
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Smith arrived in North America very early:
Smith Settlers in the United States in the 17th Century
- Osmond Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1620
- Austen Smith, who landed in Virginia in 1622-1623
- Austin Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1623
- Osborne Smith, who landed in Virginia in 1623
- Osten Smith, who landed in Jamestown, Va in 1624
Smith Settlers in the United States in the 18th Century
- Elinor Smith, who landed in Virginia in 1704
- Jno Willm Smith, aged 14, landed in New York in 1711
- Crispianus Smith, who landed in Virginia in 1712
- Augustine Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1713
- Ambrose Joshua Smith, who arrived in Virginia in 1714
Smith Settlers in the United States in the 19th Century
- Charles R Smith, who arrived in New York in 1801
- Jeremiah Smith, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pa in 1803
- Jenny Smith, aged 26, arrived in New York, NY in 1803
- M E Smith, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1804
- Mary Anne Smith, who arrived in America in 1805
Smith Settlers in the United States in the 20th Century
- Joe Smith, who landed in Arkansas in 1904
- Jens Nissen Smith, who arrived in Wisconsin in 1914
- Charles Victor Smith, who landed in Alabama in 1918
- Christian Anholm Smith, who landed in Wisconsin in 1922
- Agnes Sybil Smith, aged 26, arrived in Colorado in 1948
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We offer a large range of products for you to enjoy with your Coat of Arms. From the coffee cup in the kitchen to the frame in the living room.
- Howard Kingsbury Smith Jr. (1914-2002), American journalist, radio reporter, television anchorman, political commentator, and film actor
- Captain (USN) Michael John Smith (1945-1986), American pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger which blew up shortly after launch
- Stan Smith (b. 1946), American, professional tennis player
- General Walter Bedell Smith (1895-1961), U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1946 to 1948 and head of CIA from 1950 to 1953
- Bessie Smith (1894-1937), American blues singer sometimes referred to as "The Empress of the Blues"
- Clarence "Pinetop" Smith (1904-1929), American influential blues and boogie-woogie piano player
- William Jay Smith (b. 1918), American appointed the nineteenth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1968 to 1970
- Lamont Smith (b. 1973), American gold medalist in the men's 4x400 meter relay at the 1996 Olympic Games
- Julie Smith (b. 1968), American softball player. She competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta where she received a gold medal with the American team
- Michele Mary Smith (b. 1967), American softball player and two time Olympic Gold Medalist
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Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products. MoreMore about the Smith History...
We have comprised a great deal of suggested readings that would be of interest to you and your family.
- Andrew M. and O.S. Smith, Sons of Maine and Nebraska Homesteaders by Claude R. Wiegers.
- Kinfolk of Henry Smith (1846-1887).
- Pioneer Heritage: the Smith Family by Marguerite Esther Smith.
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Learn all about the different symbols of your Coat of Arms with our deluxe symbolism. This product will explain the full meaning of you Coat of Arms including motto translations.
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.
MoreMore Smith Products...
All products shipped by HouseofNames.com are 100% guaranteed. HouseofNames.com and its partners have been researching and writing family name history documents since 1968. We have provided millions of histories worldwide - each with the Personal Service that ensures that new customers become repeat customers. | More Family Crest Products |
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Our PDF Coat of Arms + Extended History product is the whole package all in one. With a full color Coat of Arms along with a very detailed History, full symbolism, bibliography and settlers listed by the centuries.
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- Bowman, George Ernest. The Mayflower Reader A Selection of Articales from The Mayflower Descendent. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.
- Humble, Richard. The Fall of Saxon England. New York: Barnes and Noble, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-88029-987-8).
- Bardsley, C.W. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6).
- Bede, The Venerable. Historia Ecclesiatica Gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History Of the English People). Available through Internet Medieval Sourcebook the Fordham University Centre for Medieval Studies. Print.
- Thirsk, Joan. The Agrarian History of England and Wales. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 7 Volumes. Print.
- Burke, Sir Bernard. Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry: Including American Families with British Ancestry. (2 Volumes). London: Burke Publishing, 1939. Print.
- Shirley, Evelyn Philip. Noble and Gentle Men of England Or Notes Touching The Arms and Descendants of the Ancient Knightley and Gentle Houses of England Arranged in their Respective Counties 3rd Edition. Westminster: John Bowyer Nichols and Sons, 1866. Print.
- Shaw, William A. Knights of England A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of all the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, Ireland and Knights Bachelors 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print. (ISBN 080630443X).
- Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Galveston Texas 1896-1951. National Archives Washington DC. Print.
- Browning, Charles H. Americans of Royal Descent. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.
- ...
The Smith Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Smith Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.
This page was last modified on 17 May 2012 at 21:58.
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