Contents [hide]

Small 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 Suggested Reading Citations

Small History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Scotland
Ireland

Scotland's coastal mountains and Hebrides islands were known in ancient times as the kingdom of Dalriada. The name Small evolved there as 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.

Early Origins of the Small family

The surname Small was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland, where Richard Small was the Canon of Glasgow in 1329.

Early History of the Small family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Small research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1326, 1329, 1407, 1447, 1503, 1625, 1714 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Small History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Small Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Small has been spelled Small, Smalle, Smal and others.

Early Notables of the Small family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Richard Small, Canon of Glasgow

Small World Ranking

In the United States, the name Small is the 556^th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Small is ranked the 894^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,997 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Small is the 483^rd popular surname with an estimated 98 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Small as 563^rd with 6,819 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Small as 346^th with 1,831 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Small as 536^th with 12,217 people. 6

Migration of the Small family to Ireland

Some of the Small family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Small migration to the United States +

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Small were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown:

Small Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Small, carpenter who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607 7
Edward and Francis Small, who settled in Maine in 1620
John Small, who settled in Massachusetts in 1635
William Small, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 8
Henry Small, who settled in Virginia in 1636
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Small Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anne Small, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 8
Margaret Small, who landed in Virginia in 1719 8
Richard Small, who landed in New England in 1719 8
John Small, who landed in Virginia in 1724 8
Elizabeth Small, who arrived in Virginia in 1724 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Small Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Rhodery Small, who arrived in America in 1803 8
Nelly Small, aged 30, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 8
Owen Small, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 8
Kitty Small, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 8
Hugh Small, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Small migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Small Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Dorril Small, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Hanah Small, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Isabelah Small, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
William Small, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1756 9
Mr. John Small U.E. who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1784 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Small Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Reuben Small, who settled in Conception Bay, Newfoundland in 1810
John Small, who settled in Moreton's Harbour in 1845
Mr. James Small who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "John Bolton" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 11
Mr. James Small, aged 50 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Clarendon" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 11
Miss. Bridget Small, aged 1 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Vanilla" departing 28th May 1847 from Limerick, Ireland; the ship arrived on 11th July 1847 but she died on board 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Small migration to Australia +

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

Small Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Small, (b. 1761), aged 26, English solider who was convicted in Exeter, Devon, England for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1850 13

Small Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Small, (Scamp), English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Miss Rebecca Small who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Edward" on 23rd April 1834, arriving in Tasmania, (Van Diemen's Land) 15
Jacob Small, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Anson" on September 23, 1843, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 16
Mr. George Small, English convict who was convicted in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Bangalore" on 28th March 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) from Bermuda 17
Robert Small, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hooghly" in 1848 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Small 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:

Small Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Small, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1839 aboard the ship Chelydra
Charles Small, who landed in Wanganui, New Zealand in 1840
Mr Small, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
Charles Small, aged 36, a saw miller, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
Margaret Small, aged 33, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Small (post 1700) +

William J. Small (1926-2020), American broadcast journalist, executive, author, and educator, President of NBC News (1979–1982)
Arthur Adams Small Jr. (1933-2015), American politician and lawyer, Member of the Iowa State Senate (1979-1987)
Richard W. "Dickie" Small (1945-2014), American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer who had 1,182 career wins
Michael Small (1939-2003), American film score composer
Edward Small (1891-1977), American film producer
Bertrice Small (b. 1937), American best selling writer of historical and romance novels
John Small (1828-1886), Scottish librarian of Edinburgh University, son of John Small and Margaret Brown his wife, born at Edinburgh
John Small (1726-1796), Scottish major-general, born at Strath Ardle in the district of Atholl in Perthshire
Chris Small (b. 1973), Scottish professional snooker player
Mr. John Godfrey Small, British sheriff, held the position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1914 to 1915
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Small family +

HMS Royal Oak

William Small (d. 1939), British Chief Petty Officer Cook with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 19

RMS Titanic

Mr. William Small (d. 1912), aged 40, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 20

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Edward Samuel Small (b. 1869), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Edwin John Small (b. 1892), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

St. Francis Dam

Mrs. Cecelia A. Small, (nee Marinel), American resident in Santa Clarita killed when the St. Francis Dam failed and flooded the area in 1928

The Small 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: Ratione non ira
Motto Translation: By reason, not by rage.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
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
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 55)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 95)
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th January 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/edward
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Anson voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1843 with 499 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/anson/1843
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bangalore
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HOOGHLY 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Hooghly.htm
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html