The surname smith is a common surname in the united kingdom, the united states, canada, and other english speaking countries. The surname smith was first found in durham, in present day northumbria northeastern england where an olde english version of the name is cited in circa 975, almost 100 years before the normans. Many large databases are available to search covering from births, deaths and marriages. The name originally derives from smitan, the anglo saxon term meaning to smite. However, many people have taken the surname smith for a variety of reasons see smith history so having the surname. A black shield with three silver crosses and a silver chevron engrailed on which there are three. Smith is an englishlanguage surname originating in the british isles. In 1891 there were 60,270 smith families living in london. When you find a useful new resource, go to the right linkpendium page and click on the add your favorite websites to this page link. Mar 19, 2019 the mitchell surname is a common form or corruption of the given name michael, meaning big or one who is like god.
This is the most frequent of all american surnames. This was about 20% of all the recorded smith s in the usa. The thomas genealogy and family tree page surname finder at. Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out your smith family tree. When you find a useful new resource, go to the right linkpendium. In the 1842 novel zanoni, lytton articulates a variation on this by suggesting people changing surname from smith to smithe may well be trying to increase the stature of their surname by approaching ever. Browse for all the origins, histories, and meanings of smith and almost. A free guide to help you discover smith ancestors in online databases, funeral cards, surname histories, census records, war ration books, naturalization petitions, and message boards conveniently organized into a printable surname checklist.
Ontario had the highest population of smith families in 1911. Early origins of the smith family the surname smith was first found in northern england and scotland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. And i might go further afield and trace out the history of smithcraft from the days of tubalcainexpatiate upon the labours of vulcan, of icarus, of wayland smith, and of st. Dec 14, 2012 smith was already a common name by the 1500s in britain and many who emigrated to ireland brought the name with them. The origins of the surname smith can be traced back to the mists of time when man discovered how to extract precious metals from ores and. Of pre 7th century anglosaxon 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. Smith authors with the most common surname in the u. Through the help of hundreds of long time regional researchers we have compiled a searchable. Start your genealogy to find your personal smith family ancestry. Surname search guide provides a single source for finding your family tree and researching your family names, meaning of surnames origin and family descent. Many scottish who later emigrated to ireland also brought this. In 1911 there were 27,695 smith families living in ontario.
The surname smith was first found in durham, in present day northumbria northeastern england where an olde english version of the name is cited in circa 975, almost 100 years before the normans would invade this part of england. Willis coat of arms willis family crest this surname willis was a. Some of the family moved to mount thoydon in essex. In 1891 there were 60,270 smith families living in. The archive includes histories of families, county and local histories, howto books on genealogy, genealogy. Some of these are original books from the 1880s while others are reprints. The mitchell surname is a common form or corruption of the given name michael, meaning big or one who is like god. This section makes it possible to view all the biographies currently available for the smith family surname. As a small child, he worked in the fields pulling turnips alongside his mother.
Alexander mccall smith, british writer, creator of a series of novels about precious ramotswe, a fictional female detective in botswana. Smith was already a common name by the 1500s in britain and many who emigrated to ireland brought the name with them. A free guide to help you discover thomas ancestors in online databases, funeral cards, surname histories, census records, war ration books, naturalization petitions, and message boards conveniently organized into a printable surname checklist. Please keep in mind that this is a list of only the primary biography surnames. This was 100% of all the recorded aitken smith s in scotland. Smith surname meaning, origin, etymology and distribution in. Many printed county history books are available for purchase on our hearthstone legacy publications website. It is the most prevalent surname in the united kingdom, australia, canada, new zealand and the united states, and the fifth most common surname in the republic of ireland. 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. This was about 15% of all the recorded smith s in the uk. This surname probably originated with smith one who works metals and is of old english origin. It is a craft that was practiced in all countries, making the surname and its derivations the most common of all surnames. Others outside that area resisted, but the spelling became anglicized and they became macmcgowans.
English german, irish, dutch also available smith origin. It is the most common surname in most of the englishspeaking world. Bordering counties are macon county, jackson county, putnam county, dekalb county, williamson county and trousdale county. It is derived from the old english word smid, probably derived form smitan, which meant to strike with a hammer. Henry smith, born in kentucky, arrived in texas in 1817, and became the leader of the proindependence party. Derived from the anglosaxon smitan, meaning to smite or strike, smith and its derivations are an occupational name for a man who works with metal smith or blacksmith, one of the earliest jobs for which specialist skills were required. Enter your last name to learn its meaning and origin. Many large databases are available to search covering from births, deaths and marriages, military records, census records and immigration records with many other smaller collections too. Smith was an important name in early texas history. Lanarkshire had the highest population of aitken smith families in 1861. London had the highest population of smith families in 1891. Jf ptak science books post 1987 i found these extraordinary magic squares lurking in the.
What does smith mean smith means one who worked with metal. Meaning, origin and history of the surname smith behind the. The name originally derives from smio or smip, the old english term meaning one who works in metal, related to the word smitan, the. The second most common surname in modern germany is schmidt, which is the german version of smith, meaning being a smith of any kind blacksmith, silversmith, goldsmith, coppersmith, etc. The name originally derives from smio or smip, the old english term meaning one who works in metal, related to the word smitan, the old english form of smite, which also meant strike as in early 17th century biblical english. He was illiterate as a child because of his labors. Other surnames mentioned within a biography are not included in these lists of surnames. A famous bearer was the scottish economist adam smith 17231790. In 1911 there were 27,695 smith families living in. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new. In 1840 there were 7,086 smith families living in new york. Smith coat of arms, family crest free image to view smith name origin.
Long island surnames has been an active resource for the long island family history community since 1993. As metal worker was such a common and important profession in medieval times, this name and its cognates are extremely widespread throughout the british isles and europe. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. In the 1842 novel zanoni, lytton articulates a variation on this by suggesting people changing surname from smith to smithe may well be trying to increase the stature of their surname by approaching ever so slightly a purported surname of the god apollo. A resident of st james, long island, new york, mr smith boarded the titanic at cherbourg as a first class passenger 17764. The old english word smip comes from the protogermanic word smi. However, he lost out to sam houston and died in a mining camp in california. Means metalworker, blacksmith from old english smi. Entire books have been written about the great english name of smith. Thus, smith is a classic example of a polygenetic surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch.
The name was originally given to a metalworker the blacksmith. Smith family genealogy my genealogy hound home page. The county seat of government is located in carthage also, the county government website is unknown. There is more to smith family history than the origin of your surname. Many scottish who later emigrated to ireland also brought this surname with. Uncover the smith surname history for the english origin. James clinch smith descendant of john bull smith, of saint james, died in the sinking of the titanic mr james clinch smith, 56, was born on 3 april 1856. The family history archive is a collection of published genealogy and family history books. As a legacy, family surname searches which are given free to us online, last a lifetime and beyond. Smith wigglesworth was born on 8 june 1859 in menston, yorkshire, england, to an impoverished family. Another 240 words 17 lines of text covering the years 1853, 1620, 1668, 1660, 1665, 1720, 1699 and are included under the topic early smith history in all our pdf extended history products and printed products wherever possible.
Linkpendiums goal is to index every genealogy, geneology. In 1861 there was 1 aitken smith family living in lanarkshire. The archive includes histories of families, county and local histories, howto books on genealogy, genealogy magazines and periodicals including some international, medieval books including histories and pedigrees, and gazetteers. Just begin your family tree with what you already know. Browse for all the origins, histories, and meanings of smith and almost 2,000,000 other surnames. Smith is the most common family name surname in the united kingdom, australia and the united. An example of this was the common irish surname mac gabhann, which meant son of a smith.
Familysearch digital library browse collections from. Meaning of smith last name surname family name smith. Smith is the most common family name surname in the united kingdom, australia and the united states,1 representing more than 1 out of every 100 persons in each of these countries. The smith family name was found in the usa, the uk, canada, and scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most smith families were found in the usa in 1880. Interestingly, the third most popular surname in modern germany is meier, which means mayor. Derived from the anglosaxon smitan, meaning to smite or strike, smith and its derivations are an occupational name for a man who works with metal smith or blacksmith, one of the earliest jobs for. Smith last name meaning search the free name dictionary. Mitchell is the 44th most popular surname in the united states and the 15th most common surname in scotland. In addition, there also some modern day county history books available. Mitchell is the 44th most popular surname in the united states.
Searching for surnames by j titford countryside books, 2002. It is particularly prevalent among those of english descent,2 the name being mainly english itself, but has often been taken by nonenglish natives or immigrants to the above countries in order to blend into. The surname smith is particularly prevalent among those of english, scottish and irish descent, but is also a common surname among african americans, which can be attributed either to. Some mac gabhanns, living in county cavan, had their name translated to smith and it remained that way. You can see how aitken smith families moved over time by selecting different census years. What your german surname says about your ancestors. Surnames can reveal much about your family history, but they can also be a.
This was about 47% of all the recorded smith s in canada. A free guide to help you discover smith ancestors in online databases, funeral cards, surname histories, census records, war ration books, naturalization petitions, and message boards conveniently. It is a craft that was practiced in all countries, making the surname and its derivations the most common. Smith county was founded on october 26, 1799 from sumner county and indian lands.
New york had the highest population of smith families in 1840. The aitken smith family name was found in scotland in 1861. Linkpendium s goal is to index every genealogy, geneology. This web page shows only a small excerpt of our smith research.
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