Smythers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Smythers

What does the name Smythers mean?

The family name Smythers is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon names of Britain. It was originally a name for a person who 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 Smythers family

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

Early History of the Smythers family

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

Smythers Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Smythers include Smithers, Smithies, Smythies, Smither and others.

Early Notables of the Smythers family

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

Smythers 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:

Smythers Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Henry Smythers, who landed in Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand in 1840

Sources +

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)