Smithies History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxons of Britain first developed the name Smithies. It was a name given to someone who was a person who worked as a smith or smitty (blacksmith). [1] [2] During the Middle Ages smiths were important for their skill in making horseshoes, ploughshares as well as swords, other weapons and armour. Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Early Origins of the Smithies family

The surname Smithies was first found in Warwickshire where John Smythiere was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1379. [3]

Early History of the Smithies family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smithies research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smithies History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smithies Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Smithies have been found, including Smithers, Smithies, Smythies, Smither and others.

Early Notables of the Smithies family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Smithies Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smithies migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Smithies, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Smithies Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Fred Smithies, aged 50, originally from Manchester, England, arrived in New York City in 1919 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England [4]
David Smithies, aged 8, originally from Chosica, Peru, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Santa Ana" from Callao, Peru [5]
William Smithies, aged 55, originally from Chosica, Peru, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Santa Ana" from Callao, Peru [6]

Contemporary Notables of the name Smithies (post 1700) +

Oliver Smithies (1925-2017), English-born, American geneticist and Nobel laureate for for his genetics work
Alexander "Alex" Smithies (b. 1990), English professional footballer
Robert "Bob" Smithies (1934-2006), English photographer
Karen Smithies (b. 1969), former England cricketer

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J67J-XPB : 6 December 2014), Fred Smithies, 09 May 1919; citing departure port Liverpool, arrival port New York City, ship name Baltic, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
"New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J66K-3Q7 : 6 December 2014), David Smithies, 06 Feb 1920; citing departure port Callao, Peru, arrival port New York, ship name Santa Ana, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
"New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J66K-3PD : 6 December 2014), William Smithies, 06 Feb 1920; citing departure port Callao, Peru, arrival port New York, ship name Santa Ana, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).