Coats of Arms by House of Names
 
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From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2009

Origins Available: German, Scottish

Where did the Scottish Small family come from? What is the Scottish coat of arms/family crest? When did the Small family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Small is a nickname for a person who was small in stature. Small is 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 Small derived from the Old English word smal, which means narrow, thin, or small, and referred to a person who was of slender build, or of small stature. This surname was established in Renfrew (now part of the Strathclyde region), prior to the Norman Invasion of England, in 1066.

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Small has appeared as Small, Smalle, Smal and others.

First found in Renfrewshire, where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the Origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name Small or a variant listed above include: Edward and Francis Small, who settled in Maine in 1620; the same year as the "Mayflower"; Elizabeth Small, who settled in Virginia in 1639; Henry Small, who settled in Virginia in 1636.

Motto Translated: By reason, not by rage.

For more information on the last name Small, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.


Suggested Readings for the name Small
  • Buxton Forbes Laurie of Southcote by N.J. Vine Hall.
  • Descendants of Margry Lemond and James Nicholas Small by Haskell Pruett.

Some noteworthy people of the name Small
  • Bertrice Small (b. 1937), American best selling writer of historical and romance novels
  • Edward Small (1891-1977), American film producer
  • Michael Small (1939-2003), American film score composer
  • Chris Small (b. 1973), Scottish professional snooker player
  • Ambrose Joseph Small (b. 1863), Canadian theatre owner
  • Sir Bruce Small (1895-1980), Australian businessman and politician
  • Charles A Small, Professor with the Institute for Social and Policy Studies at Yale University
  • Very Rev. Robert Leonard Small, Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Small family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Small coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Small genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Small Family Crest Products


Anniversary products for the name Small.
Apparel displaying the family crest for the name Small.
Armorial histories for the name Small.
Ceramics revealing the family crest for the surname Small.
Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.
Coat of Arms for the name Small.
Downloads featuring the Small family crest.
Family Crest for the name Small.
Family Tree emphasing the Small family crest.
Hand Painted Plaques proudly displaying the Small coat of arms.
Keychains proudly displaying the Small family crest.
Mouse pads with the coat of arms for the name Small.
New Products proudly displaying the Small family crest.
Packages showing the Small family crest.
Plaques and Frames with the family crest for the name Small.
Surname Histories for the name Small.
Symbolism proudly displaying the Small family crest.
Travel Mugs proudly displaying the Small family crest.
Popular Products
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Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
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Armorial History with Frame
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The Small Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Small 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.

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