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Smith is an English-language surname originating in the British Isles. 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: the verb to smite meaning to hit). The Old English word smip comes from the Proto-Germanic word smipaz. Smithy comes from the Old English word smiooe from the Proto-Germanic smiojon.The use of Smith as an occupational name dates back to Anglo-Saxon times when inherited surnames were still unknown.
The Irish and Scottish name MacGabhann (from the Gaelic) was often Anglicized to Smith.
Variants:
- English - Smithe, Smyth, Smythe, Smithman, Smithson, Smithfield
- German - Schmid, Schmidt, Schmitt, Schmitz
- Yiddish - Schmieder
- Southern Dutch - DeSmid, DeSmedt, Desmedt, DeSmet, Smeets, Smets
- Northern Dutch - Smit, Smid, Smidt, Smed, DeSmet
- Italian - Fabbri, Fabris, Ferraro, Ferrari, Favre, Faber, Faure, Favret, Favrette, Dufaure
- Spanish - Herrera, Herrero
- Portuguese - Ferreira
- Catalan - Ferrer, Ferre, Farre
- Latin - Faber
- Russian - Kuznetsov (Kuznetsova)
Source:
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.
History And Origin English: occupational name for a worker in metal, from Middle English smith (Old English smið, probably a derivative of smītan ‘to strike, hammer'). Metalworking was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and its importance ensured that this term and its equivalents were perhaps the most widespread of all occupational surnames in Europe. Medieval smiths were important not only in making horseshoes, plowshares, and other domestic articles, but above all for their skill in forging swords, other weapons, and armor. This is the most frequent of all American surnames; it has also absorbed, by assimilation and translation, cognates and equivalents from many other languages (for forms, see Hanks and Hodges 1988).
The Smith Official -All DNA (Worldwide) Project at
invites all who are researching Smith/Schmidt/Smythe/Smyth/Smidt and any other variation to come join us at the site.
We are the official DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA for all Smiths of all geographical locations and the second largest project at FTDNA. We welcome also those who have had their DNA tested with other vendors such as Ancestry, Relative Genetics, Sorensen, etc and provide a way to compare and contrast DNA markers.
The DNA reports are here
and the family forum where you can post when logged on (don' have to be logged on to read) is here
[http://www.smithsworldwide.org/smithsreportsfamily.asp. Smiths family Forum]
We are also on [Facebook http://www.facebook.com/smithsdna] Come join us! Questions? Email us!
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