Naismorthay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Scotland
• England

Etymology of Naismorthay

The surname Naismorthay is thought to be an occupational name for a maker of knives or nails, deriving from the Old English "cnif," meaning "knife," or "noegel," meaning "nail" combined with "smith." 1

One source notes, the name is derived from "Nail-smith; but they bear two broken hammers in their Arms, as if the name were No smith !" 2

Naismorthay Coat of Arms Creation

In his autobiography, James Nasmyth, the engineer, tells that in the reign of James III. of Scotland the Earl of Douglas was a rebel, and crossed from England determined to resist the Royal power. He was met by the Earl of Angus, the Maxwells, the Johnstones, and the Scotts. In one of the encounters with them Douglas was victorious, and an ancestor of the Nasmyths, who fought for the King, took refuge in a village smithy. The smith offered him protection, dis-guised him as a hammerman with a leathern apron, and asked him to lend a hand at his work.

While thus at work, several of the Douglas followers entered the smithy. The disguised hammerman saw that they suspected him, and in his agitation struck a false blow with his sledgehammer and broke the shaft in two. On seeing this, one of the pursuers rushed at him, calling out, " Ye're nae smyth." The hammerman turned upon his assailant, and, wrenching a dagger from him, speedily overpowered him. The smith also helped to drive out the Douglas men. A party of the King's soldiers appeared, Nasymth rallied them, and turned defeat into victory. For this he got a grant of lands, and as armorial bearings he took a right hand with a dagger between two broken hammer shafts. The motto was, " Non arte sed marte " (Not by art but by war): Since then the motto has been reversed, and stands " Non marte sed arte," and instead of the broken hammer shafts there is the device of the famous Nasmyth steam hammer. 3

Early Origins of the Naismorthay family

Early History of the Naismorthay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Naismorthay research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1552, 1579, 1619, 1626, 1630, 1684, 1720, 1730, 1740, 1741, 1758, 1760, 1764, 1765, 1767, 1771, 1778, 1779, 1797, 1808, 1820, 1840 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Naismorthay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Naismorthay Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Naismorthay has been spelled Naismith, Naysmith, Naesmyth, Nesmith, Nasmyth and others.

Early Notables of the Naismorthay family

John Nasmith or Naysmith (d. 1619?), Scottish "surgeon to James VI of Scotland and I of England, was second son of Michael Naesmith of Posso, Peeblesshire, and Elizabeth Baird. The family trace their descent to a stalwart knight, who while in attendance on Alexander III was unable to repair his armour, but so atoned for his lack of skill as a smith by his bravery in the fight that after its conclusion he was knighted by the king with the remark that, although ‘he was nae smith, he was a brave gentleman.’ Sir Michael, who was chamberlain to the Archbishop of...
Another 212 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Naismorthay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Naismorthay family

To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: James Nesmith, who settled in New Hampshire in 1718; as well as John Nesmith, who settled in Maryland in 1747.