Show ContentsSmythson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Smythson Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Smythson

What does the name Smythson mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Smythson comes from when its first bearer worked as a person who was the son of the smith. 1 2

"The smith in olden times was a very important person­age, as being the maker of armour and weapons, and since this trade, like others in that day, descended from father to son, its designation would soon become used as a surname. 3

Early Origins of the Smythson family

The surname Smythson was first found in Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include: Johannes Smytheson; Johannes Smyth' et Alicia uxor ejus; Johannes Smyth et uxor; Johannes Smythson; and Agnes Smythwyf as all holding lands there at that time. 4 Henry le Smithson was also found here in 1324 as was Peter Smitson in 1327. 5

To the north in Scotland, "John Smythson was admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1406, and a payment was made to William Smethissone in Cromarty in 1492." 6

Back in England, Reginald le Smythessone was found in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296 Sussex in 1296. 5

Early History of the Smythson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smythson research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1754, 1765, 1782, 1784, 1786, 1787 and 1829 are included under the topic Early Smythson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smythson Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Smythson include Smithson, Smythson and others.

Early Notables of the Smythson family

James Smithson (1765-1829), chemist and mineralogist. He was born James Lewes Macie, the illegitimate son of Hugh Simthson Percy, Duke of Northumberland. His mother Elizabeth Macie was a direct descendant of Henry VIII and it was through this family that James Smithson inherited a fortune. He "was known in early life as James Lewis or Louis Macie. Born in France in 1765 (the date of 1754, long accepted as correct, is taken from the inscription on his tombstone), his mother, was cousin of his father's wife, Elizabeth Hungerford Keate (reputed to be daughter of Henry Keate, uncle of George Keate) Young Smithson...
Another 179 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Smythson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Smythson family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Smythson or a variant listed above: Robert Smithson who settled in Virginia in 1634; William Smithson who settled in Virginia in 1652 and John Smithson who settled in Jamaica in 1761.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Moore, A.W., Manx Names. London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1906. Print
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

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