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

Small World Ranking

In the United States, the name Small is the 556th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Small is ranked the 894th most popular surname with an estimated 5,997 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Small is the 483rd popular surname with an estimated 98 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Small as 563rd with 6,819 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Small as 346th with 1,831 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Small as 536th 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
Small Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Small Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Small migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Small Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Small Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

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
Small Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

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

Contemporary Notables of the name Small (post 1700) +


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.


Suggested Readings for the name Small +
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