Show ContentsSmith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Smith Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Smith

What does the name Smith mean?

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, 1579, 1608, 1611, 1614, 1615, 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

  • Richard Smith (1568-1655), officially the Bishop of Chalcedon, the second Catholic bishop for England, Wales and Scotland after Catholicism was banned in England in 1559
  • John Smith (c. 1608-1657), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1644, supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War
  • John Smith (c. 1579-1631) an English soldier, explorer, colonial governor, admiral of New England, and author who married Pocahontas in 1614 and had a son in 1615
  • John Smith (died 1663) English-born immigrant to the Massachusetts Bay Colony c. 1631, 3rd President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1649-1650), 6th President of Providence a...
  • Admiral Sir Jeremiah Smith (Smyth) (died 1675), English officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars
  • Erasmus Smith (1611-1691), an English merchant, landowner and philanthropist in Leicestershire

Smith World Ranking

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

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Miss Isabella Smith, (b. 1765), aged 23, British convict convicted in Kent, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for felony, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Miss Margaret Smith, (1766 - 1827), aged 22, British convict convicted in Liverpool, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
  • Miss Rebecca Smith, (1752 - 1791), aged 34, British convict convicted in Exeter, Devon, England in 1786, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
  • Mr. Ambrose Smith, British settler convicted at Gloucestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
  • Miss Ann Smith, British settler convicted at Worcestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 14
Second Fleet
  • Miss Ann Smith, (b. 1764), aged 26, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing fabric, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Edward Smith, British settler convicted in Buckinghamshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Edward Smith, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. Henry Smith, British settler convicted in London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing fabric, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
  • Mr. George Smith, (1762 - 1816), aged 28, British settler convicted in Surrey, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Smith, (b. 1764), aged 23, English convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire on 21st April 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, he died aboard the ship 14
  • Mr. William Smith, English settler convicted in Oxford, Oxfordshire on 4th June 1783, sentenced for 14 years for felony, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
  • Mr. Edward Smith, (b. 1756), aged 31, English settler convicted in London on 14th March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
  • Mr. William Smith, (b. 1758), aged 29, English settler convicted in London on 16th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
  • Mr. Thomas Smith, (b. 1757), aged 30, English settler convicted in London on 22nd March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 14
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Smith Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mrs. Ann Smith, (nee Overy), (b. 1750), aged 37, English convict who was convicted in Winchester for theft, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she was moved to the Charlotte, she died in 1837 14
  • Miss Hannah Smith, (b. 1758), aged 29, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester. Glouceser Quarter Sessions for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1826 14
  • Mr. William Smith, (b. 1755), aged 32, English convict who was convicted in Dorchester Assizes for 7 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1830 14
  • Mr. John Smith, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. John Smith, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Smith Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Smith Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • "Miss Hannah Smith, (b. 1810), aged 18, English servant who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia" 18
  • "Miss Maria Smith, (b. 1806), aged 22, English needle woman who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia" 18
  • "Miss Mary Ann Smith, (b. 1806), aged 22, English servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, daughter of Ann Rolph" 18

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
  • Mr. Michael Smith, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1831 19
  • Mr. Samuel Smith, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 19
  • Mr. John Smith, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand in 1836 19
  • Charles Smith, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
  • William Smith, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Smith (post 1700) +

  • Kathryn Elizabeth "Kate" Smith (1907-1986), American singer and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, best known for her rendition of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America"
  • Albert Merriman Smith (1913-1970), American newspaper reporter and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Willard Carroll "Will" Smith Jr. (b. 1968), American actor, rapper, and film producer nominated for five Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards, and has won four Grammy Awards, best known for The Fresh Prince, as well as blockbuster movies The Pursuit of Happyness, I, Robot and Bad Boys
  • James Smith (1719-1806), of Pennsylvania, one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence
  • Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith (1962-2025), Australian Indigenous poet, as Charmaine Green she worked as a visual and installation artist
  • Penny Smith (b. 1995), Australian sports shooter, who competed at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics
  • Patrick Smith OAM (1952-2023), Australian sports journalist and Walkley award recipient
  • Lieutenant Colonel Harry Arthur Smith SG, MC (1933-2023), senior officer in the Australian Army, seeing service during the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War, the Officer Commanding D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (D Coy, 6 RAR) during the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966
  • Leslie Charles "Les" Smith (1934-2023), Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood in the Victorian Football League (1952-1954)
  • ... (Another 268 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Miss Betty Louise Smith (1933-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 20
  • Mr. Scott John Smith (1963-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Louisville, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 21
  • Mr. Rex V Smith (1949-1985), American Sergeant 1st Class from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22
  • Mr. Clinton Duane Smith (1966-1985), American Private from Conyers, Georgia, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22
  • Mr. Thomas E Smith (1965-1985), American Private 1st Class from Brooksville, Florida, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 22
  • ... (Another 254 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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 +

  • Andrew M. and O.S. Smith, Sons of Maine and Nebraska Homesteaders by Claude R. Wiegers.
  • Kinfolk of Henry Smith (1846-1887).
  • Pioneer Heritage: the Smith Family by Marguerite Esther Smith.
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  3. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  10. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  11. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  12. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  14. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  21. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550

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