Smillay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Rugged coastal mountains and the windswept Hebrides islands were the home of the first family to use the name Smillay. It was originally given to a for a person noted for their smile, or happy personality. Smillay 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 Smillay comes from the Old English word, smile, which means grin. Therefore, the surname Smillay would have been adopted by someone with a distinct smile, or grin.

Early Origins of the Smillay family

The surname Smillay was first found in Cumberland, a historic county of North West England, now known as Cumbria.

Early History of the Smillay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smillay 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 Smillay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smillay Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of Smillay have been recorded over the years, including Smiley, Smellie, Smyly, Smyley, Smilley, Smilie and many more.

Early Notables of the Smillay family

Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smillay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Smillay family to Ireland

Some of the Smillay 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.

Migration of the Smillay family

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to the Crown re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Smillays to arrive on North American shores: John and Jane Smiley who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1763 with their children Margaret and Robert; William Smilie settled in Charles Town in 1756.

The Smillay 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: Industria virtus et fortitudo
Motto Translation: Industry, valor, and fortitude.