| ![Show Contents]() Smyther History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of SmytherWhat does the name Smyther mean? The Smyther family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as 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 Smyther familyThe surname Smyther was first found in Warwickshire where John Smythiere was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1379. 3 Early History of the Smyther familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smyther research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smyther History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Smyther Spelling VariationsSmyther has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Smyther have been found, including Smithers, Smithies, Smythies, Smither and others. Early Notables of the Smyther familyMore information is included under the topic Early Smyther Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Smyther migration to the United States | + |
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Smythers to arrive on North American shores:
Smyther Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- James Smyther, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 4
- 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)
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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