Last name: Smith

Recorded in the spellings of Smith, Smithe, Smythe, and the patronymics Smiths, and Smithson, this is the most popular surname in the English speaking world by a considerable margin. Of pre 7th century Anglo-Saxon origins, it derives from the word 'smitan' meaning 'to smite' and as such is believed to have described not a worker in iron, but a soldier, one who smote. That he also probably wore armour, which he would have been required to repair, may have lead to the secondary meaning. The famous Anglo-Saxon Chronicles sometimes known as the first newspaper, in the 9th century a.d. uses the expression 'War-Smith' to describe a valiant warrior, whilst the later medieval Guild List of specialist trades has blacksmith, whitesmith, tinsmith, goldsmith and silversmith amongst its many members, but no trade of 'smith'. These descriptions of the skilled workers of the Middle Ages were exact, and it is our opinion after studying many early records that the original smiths were probably the guards of the local lord of the manor. This would account for the singular popularity of the name, as the early social records indicate that the trades of tailor and baker were much more prevalent than that of Smith in any form. What is certain is that over five hundred coats of arms have been granted to Smith nameholders, surely an indication of the soldier background, rather than a humble ironworker. The great family Smith is 'first' in all major cities of the English speaking world, yet curiously the greatest concentration of Smith's are in Aberdeenshire, Scotland! Why this should be so is far from clear. Not surprisingly the Smith name was one of the very first into the New American colonies, being held by the famous John Smith (1580 - 1631), explorer and writer, who helped to found the state of Virginia. He was reputedly saved from execution by Pocahontas, the Indian chief's daughter, who died in England in 1622. The first recorded spelling of the family name, and probably the first surname recorded anywhere in the world, is that of Eceard Smid. This was dated 975 a.d., in the English Surname Register for County Durham, during the reign of King Edward of England, known as "The Martyr", 975 - 979 a.d.

Visitor Comments

theresa
My mothers maiden name, origin england, ancestor edward smith was believed to be a convict sent to the australian colonies, no other information available

terry
edward smith in australia b1818 d 1888 one of the four pioneers of the limestone plains married mary kilby edward's father john were from huntington shire edward came to australia 1856/64? aust info available

wai56
My mother's maiden name, origin England. Father was Victor Smith from Faversham, Kent born in 1906 to George Smith and Alice Whorlow.

Annie
Related to the same Smith's as Elvis.

mary
My Smith family married your Smith family:) My cousins (2 sisters) married Gladys' brothers.

Nick
My mums maiden name and im from England, so common I prefer my dads slightly unusual name(Whatley).

Penny Bronte
Father's surname Smith his parents Frank Smith Mother Esther Smith nee Filbee , from High Wycombe Bucks, Originaly from Princess Risborough. Would love to hear from any Smiths who think they might be related

Philip Darrol Smith born 1948
My father was Horace Albert Smith born1901, my mother was Joyce Victoria Smith born 1920 (with a sister called Lilley) and lived in Derbyshire later. They once took me Philip Darrol to visit relatives in or near High Wycome. I was only about 5 years old but I recollect a smallholding with small chickens (bantams). A bit vague but who knows!

Alice Carroll
I also posted this under Smythe. Smith if also one of the top 10 surnames in Ireland. A lot of Smiths in Ireland would have originally been MacGowan but had to anglicise their name when Ireland was under British control. Mac an Gabhain literally means "son of the smith". This might also be the explanation for the Scottish Smiths.

John C
Depends upon the Scot in question. Scotland is predominately of Anglo-Saxon descent, historically located in the Lowlands, where the Scots of the Highlands are predominately of Gaelic descent.

jon
I don`t know much about my name(smith),but,my father george w. smith married my mother(mary agnes Scully) somewere around NY or NJ,back in the 30`s 0r 40`s.I had 2 brothers and 1 older sister.becouse I was taken away at birth, I know almost nothing about them.ancestors,but,they`re from Ireland & Scotland

G Jones
Lots of cockneys called Smiff.

Emmie Germishuys
My ggfather was Horace Joseph Smith, married Elizabeth Mary Slater who was born in 1881 in Birmingham. Would love to get a family tree going - if I can trace enough decendants..... and ancestors?

Gaelic Gaul
In reality Smith was also a name taken by very many immigrants to replace foreign sounding family names. It was adopted in order to be better accepted and to improve their prospects in new homelands that were under Anglo-Saxon governance. By taking this common Anglo-Saxon name they (or at least their children) could perhaps hope to escape discrimination and the condescention for which the English are quite famous.

Ray
I am a Smith fromSunderland England. I would like to know more of my family tree? Anyone out there can help me? Thankyou.

Simone Smith
Just wondering... My name is Simone Smith, and I THINK my last name (Smith) is european. Does this mean that I am European possibly? ~Yours Truly, Simone S. Smith

vezna
Not necessarily-Many people adopt names.Where are you from?

melissa smith
im melissa smith my dad is paul smith and grandfather john smith living london C

terry
hi, trying to trace a john smith b 1778 wistow married to a rebecca ellis b 1784 could any of these be related to you grandfather

Barbara Wills
My g-grandfather was Godfrey Smith born in Hesse Darmstadt Germany and came to Breckinridge Co Ky about 1840. I would like to find someone interested in these Smiths.

Barry Smith
My Father was Hector McDonald Smith from South Wales and my Mother was Olive May Smith Yes that was her maiden name. Dad born 30th June 1921 My mum born 1st May 1925. I am Barry Smith born Edmonton London 5th April 1052

Frederick James Smith III
Grandfather=Frederick James Smith from the UK, Grandmother= Elizabeth Burns from Ireland... Married in US , somewhere near NYC.

esmaeil mohammadi
hi my name is mr esmaeil mohammadi from iran i sow mr goege smith familly barbara and jane and violet in krachi pakistan at 1969 then thy gon to thir coutry england on susex city fromthat time i amlooking to find them becuse thy ar my best frinds pleas help me tofind them withe best wishes esmaeil mohammadi

Sharon Smith
Reading the information for the name of Smith helps to now why the name is so popular. My fathers name was George Henry smih from new england families related to Chandler Robbins lsmith, connected to the Mayflower families. The farthest date I have is 1730 Benjamin smith married Abigail Walling.