Smylie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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Smylie is an ancient Dalriadan-Scottish nickname for a for a person noted for their smile, or happy personality. Smylie 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 Smylie comes from the Old English word, smile, which means grin. Therefore, the surname Smylie would have been adopted by someone with a distinct smile, or grin.

Early Origins of the Smylie family

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

Early History of the Smylie family

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

Smylie Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Smylie has been written as Smiley, Smellie, Smyly, Smyley, Smilley, Smilie and many more.

Early Notables of the Smylie family

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

Migration of the Smylie family to Ireland

Some of the Smylie 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.

Smylie migration to the United States +

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Smylie or a variant listed above:

Smylie Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Francis Smylie, who landed in New England in 1720 1
James Smylie, who arrived in North Carolina in 1775 1
William Smylie, who landed in North Carolina in 1775 1

Smylie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Andrew Smylie, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1800 1

Smylie migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Smylie Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. James Smylie, aged 14 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Ayrshire" departing from the port of Newry, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle on 30th August 1847 2
Mr. Samuel Smylie, aged 14 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Ayrshire" departing from the port of Newry, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 2

Smylie 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:

Smylie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Smylie, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen of Beauty" in 1863

Contemporary Notables of the name Smylie (post 1700) +

William S. Smylie, American politician, Mayor of Meridian, Mississippi, 1953-57 3
Robert Eben Smylie (1914-2004), American Republican politician, Governor of Idaho, 1955-67; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Idaho, 1960; Speaker, 1956, 1960 3
Michael J. Smylie, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1952, 1956, 1972 3
Dennis Smylie, American bass clarinetist
James Hutchinson Smylie (b. 1925), American Emeritus Professor of Church History at Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education
Adarrial Smylie, American former basketball player
Mark Smylie (b. 1967), American comics creator, writer and illustrator
Robert Eben Smylie (1914-2004), American politician, 24th Governor of Idaho (1955-1967)
Dr. Roderick Thomas Smylie MD (1895-1985), Canadian professional ice hockey player, the last surviving member of the 1921-22 Stanley Cup championship team
Christopher Bradley "Chris" Smylie (b. 1982), New Zealand rugby union player, member of various National Teams (2002-2009)
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Smylie 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.