Smirke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Smirke

What does the name Smirke mean?

The ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England produced the name of Smirke. It was given to a person who was referred to as smeart which meant that the original bearer was quick and active. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Nickname surnames were frequently the result of a spontaneous reaction to a particular occasion or event.

Early Origins of the Smirke family

The surname Smirke was first found in Suffolk, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Smirke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smirke research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1422, 1488, 1569, 1612, 1624 and 1652 are included under the topic Early Smirke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smirke 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 Smirke has appeared include Smart, Smert, Smarte, Smartt and others.

Early Notables of the Smirke family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smirke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Smirke family

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 Smirke arrived in North America very early: John Smart who settled in Massachusetts in 1635; another John settled in Jamaica in 1670; another John settled in Barbados in 1680 with his servants and brother Samuel also settling with his wife, child, and servants.

Contemporary Notables of the name Smirke (post 1700) +

Sydney Smirke (1798-1877), English architect, fifth son of Robert Smirke, and brother of Sir Robert Smirke, and of Sir Edward Smirke
Sir Robert Smirke (1781-1867), English architect, second son of Robert Smirke, and brother of Sir Edward Smirke, and of Sydney Smirke
Robert Smirke (1752-1845), English painter, the son of a clever but eccentric travelling artist, born at Wigton, near Carlisle
Sir Edward Smirke (1795-1875), English lawyer and antiquary, third son of Robert Smirke, brother of Sir Robert Smirke and Sydney Smirke

The Smirke 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: Virtus pre nummis
Motto Translation: Virtue is preferable to money.