Smith Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Smith come from? What does the surname Smith mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Smith and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Faber, McGowan, Smead, Smithe, Smither, Smithey, Smyth, Smythe
Surname Smith Origin: What does the last name Smith mean?
Smith is an occupational surname rooted in England, deriving from the Old English term for a metalworker. It dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, with “Ecceard Smith” recorded as early as 975. Over the centuries, it has become one of the most widespread surnames in the English-speaking world. In the United States, it is especially common among those of English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry. It is also found prominently among African Americans, who either inherited the name from former slaveholders or adopted it based on their trade. By 2010, 2,442,977 Americans held the surname Smith; in 2006, over 500,000 people in the UK shared this name.
YourRoots data confirms Smith’s presence in the United Kingdom since the early 10th century. The name steadily expanded between the 10th and 15th centuries, appearing in countries such as France. By the 16th and 17th centuries, it had spread extensively worldwide, establishing itself strongly in the United States. Today, YourRoots records reveal the Smith surname in places ranging from India, Spain, and Argentina to Germany, Ireland, France, Nigeria, and beyond, demonstrating its remarkable global reach.
Smith Last Name History: Where did the last name Smith come from?
Origin of Smith Surname: Where does the last name Smith originate from?
From the data provided by YourRoots, we can trace the origin of the Smith surname back to the United Kingdom, specifically England, during the early 11th century. Please note that this reflects only the data available to YourRoots for the exact spelling of "Smith" and does not account for other sources or variations of the surname.
History of the Last Name Smith: What does the Smith surname history look like in the early days?
The Smith surname was strongly linked to the United Kingdom, particularly England, from the 11th to the 15th century. As the centuries rolled on, the Smith surname began to appear more frequently in the YourRoots database. By the 15th century, it had become significantly more prevalent. There are also instances of the Smith surname appearing in France, suggesting an early spread across borders.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Smith surname today?
The volume of Smith surname records witnessed a significant rise in the United States beginning in the 16th century, according to YourRoots data. By the early 17th century, the United States had overtaken the United Kingdom in the frequency of Smith surname records. This trend continued into the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the Smith surname has a global presence. It can be found in numerous countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, and Scotland among others.
Explore Smith last name heritage and Smith surname origin based on YourRoots Map data
VIEW THE ORIGIN OF SURNAME SMITH
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Will Smith
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Patti Smith
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Anna Nicole Smith
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