Show ContentsSmart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Smart surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a person who was referred to as smeart which meant that the original bearer was quick and active. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Nickname surnames were frequently the result of a spontaneous reaction to a particular occasion or event.

Early Origins of the Smart family

The surname Smart was first found in Suffolk, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Smart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smart research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1422, 1488, 1569, 1612, 1624 and 1652 are included under the topic Early Smart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smart Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Smart has been spelled many different ways, including Smart, Smert, Smarte, Smartt and others.

Early Notables of the Smart family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Peter Smart (1569-1652?), English Puritan divine, son of a clergyman (perhaps Daniel Smart, presented in 1624 to the rectory of Oxhill, Warwickshire), born in Warwickshire[1]...

Smart World Ranking

In the United States, the name Smart is the 1,049th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. [2] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Smart is ranked the 729th most popular surname with an estimated 59 people with that name. [3] And in Australia, the name Smart is the 379th popular surname with an estimated 9,765 people with that name. [4] New Zealand ranks Smart as 363rd with 1,748 people. [5] The United Kingdom ranks Smart as 317th with 19,367 people. [6]


United States Smart migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Smarts to arrive in North America:

Smart Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Smart, who landed in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1635 [7]
  • John Smart, who landed in New England in 1635 [7]
  • William Smart, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Thomas & John" [7]
  • Jon Smart, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 [7]
  • William Smart, who settled in Virginia in 1643
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Smart Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Robert, Smart Jr., who landed in Virginia in 1703 [7]
  • Samuel Smart, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 [7]
  • Sarah Smart, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 [7]
Smart Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Smart, who landed in America in 1805 [7]
  • Robert Smart, who landed in New York in 1809 [7]
  • Walter Smart, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1812 [7]
  • William Smart, who arrived in New York in 1822 [7]
  • Mr. Smart, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1822 [7]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Smart migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Smart Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • A. Smart, who settled in Placientia, Newfoundland in 1724 [8]
  • Samuel Smart, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Smart Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Amos Smart, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1810 [8]
  • H Smart, who arrived in Montreal in 1832
  • Henry Smart, who landed in Canada in 1832
  • George Smart was a planter of Catalina, Newfoundland in 1847 [8]
  • Miss. Celina Smart, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "John Bolton" departing 13th April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but she died on board [9]

Australia Smart migration to Australia +

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

Smart Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Smart, English convict from Somerset, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia [10]
  • Mr. James Smart, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [11]
  • Mr. Joseph Smart, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 25th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [12]
  • Mr. James Smart, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [13]
  • Mr. William Smart, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [14]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Smart 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:

Smart Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles Smart, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • H.D. Smart, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • Mr Smart, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Blenheim
  • Mr. William Smart, (b. 1805), aged 45, British agricultural labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 [15]
  • Mrs. Sarah Smart, (b. 1811), aged 39, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 [15]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Smart migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [16]
Smart Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Thomas and Richard Smart, who settled in Barbados in 1635
  • Mr. Richard Smart, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 [17]
  • John Smart, who settled in Jamaica in 1670
  • John Smart, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his servants and brother Samuel also settling with his wife, child, and servants

Contemporary Notables of the name Smart (post 1700) +

  • Shaka Smart (b. 1977), American college basketball coach
  • Torrold "Rod" Smart (b. 1977), former professional American football player
  • Jonathan Keith Smart (b. 1964), retired American basketball player and the current head coach for the Sacramento Kings
  • Jean E. Smart (b. 1951), American film, television, and stage actress
  • Keeth Thomas Smart (1978-2008), American silver medalist sabre fencer at the 2008 Olympic Games
  • Erinn Smart (1980-2008), American fencer, member of the United States Fencing Team at the 2008 Summer Olympics
  • Richard Palmer Kaleioku Smart (1913-1992), American musical theatre actor and singer who became owner of the largest private ranch in Hawaii
  • Don Smart, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Georgia 1st District, 2002 [18]
  • Clifford H. Smart (1905-1977), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives, 1965-74; Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1972 [18]
  • Arthur K. Smart, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from New Hampshire 1st District, 1938; Member of New Hampshire State Senate 7th District; Elected 1940 [18]
  • ... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Arthur Thomas Smart (1885-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland [19]
  • Mr. George Smart (1864-1914), Canadian First Class Passenger from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland [19]
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Leslie E V Smart (b. 1922), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [20]
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Harold Smart, British Corporal, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, was later killed in action in 1942 [21]
  • Mr. Smart, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [21]
HMS Royal Oak
  • William M. Smart, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking [22]
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. George Mercer Smart, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [23]
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. John Montgomery Smart (d. 1912), aged 56, English First Class passenger from Kildale, North Yorkshire who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking [24]
USS Arizona
  • Mr. George David Smart, American Coxswain from Montana, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [25]
Victoria steamboat disaster
  • Elizabeth Smart, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881
  • George Smart, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881
  • Laura Smart, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881


The Smart 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: Virtus pre nummis
Motto Translation: Virtue is preferable to money.


Suggested Readings for the name Smart +

  • The Descendants of William Smart, Sr., 1720-c1795 by Larry E. Burgess.

  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. 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)
  4. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  6. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  7. 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)
  8. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  9. 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)
  10. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  17. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  18. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 20) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  19. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  20. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  21. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  22. 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
  23. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  24. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  25. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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