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![Show Contents]() Smilley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Originally, Smilley was a nickname for a for a person noted for their smile, or happy personality. Smilley 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 Smilley comes from the Old English word, smile, which means grin. Therefore, the surname Smilley would have been adopted by someone with a distinct smile, or grin. Early Origins of the Smilley familyThe surname Smilley was first found in Cumberland, a historic county of North West England, now known as Cumbria. Early History of the Smilley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smilley 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 Smilley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smilley Spelling VariationsSpelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. Smilley has appeared in various documents spelled Smiley, Smellie, Smyly, Smyley, Smilley, Smilie and many more. Early Notables of the Smilley familyAnother 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smilley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Smilley family to Ireland
Some of the Smilley 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.
| Smilley migration to the United States | + |
Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Smilley, or a variant listed above:
Smilley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- John Smilley, who settled in Charles Town in 1763
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.
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Smilley migration to the United States 
Ireland
Scotland
England
