Smith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

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Smith is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a metalworker (the blacksmith). It is derived from the Old English word smid, probably derived form "smitan," which meant "to strike with a hammer." As metal worker was such a common and important profession in Medieval times, this name and its cognates are extremely widespread throughout the British Isles and Europe. However, there is some debate as to why the occupation of blacksmith would lead to such a populous surname. One might expect that Farmer, also an occupational name, but with far more people involved in the profession in the Middle Ages, would today be a much more populous surname than Smith. It is probably a futile exercise to try to establish a single source for this amazing, monumentally prolific surname.

Early Origins of the Smith family

The surname Smith was first found in Durham, in present day Northumbria (North-Eastern England) where an Olde English version of the name is cited in circa 975, almost 100 years before the Normans would invade this part of England.

Some of the family moved to Mount Thoydon in Essex. "The church [of Mount Thoydon] is a handsome edifice, containing many fine monuments to the family of Smyth, among which is one to Sir Thomas Smyth, chancellor of the garter, and principal secretary of state, in the reigns of Edward VI. and Elizabeth." 1

"Wootton Hall [in Wooton-Wawen, Warwickshire] was early the seat of the Smythe family, of whom was Lord Carrington, who, at the battle of Edge-Hill, bravely redeemed the royal standard, as is recorded on his monument in Christ-Church, Oxford. Over the front entrance of the Hall are the arms, finely executed in relief, of Lord Carrington. " 1

"The extensive manor of Mitchell-Morton, which stretches into the parishes of Kilkhampton, Moorwinstow, and Jacobstow, in Cornwall, and Week St. Pancras in Devonshire, is generally denominated from this parish. This large manor belonged, about the year 1660, to the family of Smith." 2

Early History of the Smith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smith research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1279, 1559, 1568, 1608, 1611, 1616, 1617, 1621, 1631, 1640, 1644, 1649, 1650, 1652, 1653, 1655, 1657, 1658, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1665, 1675, 1679, 1681, 1691, 1696, 1699, 1701, 1717, 1720 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Smith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smith Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Smith has appeared include Smith, Smyth, Smythe and others.

Early Notables of the Smith family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Smith World Ranking

In the United States, the name Smith is the 1st most popular surname with an estimated 2,501,922 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Smith is ranked the 1st most popular surname with an estimated 192,145 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Smith is the 178th popular surname. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Smith as 3rd with 1,521 people. 6 France ranks Smith as 861st with 5,920 people. 7 Australia ranks Smith as 1st with 212,493 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Smith as 1st with 13,667 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Smith as 1st with 566,946 people. 10 Netherlands ranks Smith as 347th with 4,490 people. 11 South Africa ranks Smith as 22nd with 125,534 people. 12

Migration of the Smith family to Ireland

Some of the Smith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Smith migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Smith arrived in North America very early:

Smith Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Smith Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Smith Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Smith Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Smith migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Smith Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Smith Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Smith Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Smith Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Smith migration to Australia +

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

Smith Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Smith Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Smith Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Smith 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:

Smith Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Smith 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. 23
Smith Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Smith (post 1700) +


The Smith 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: Benigno Numine
Motto Translation: By Divine Providence.


Suggested Readings for the name Smith +
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