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Did you know that in the 1881 UK census there were 422845 people with the Smith surname? In that year Smith was ranked number 1 for popularity in the UK.

The Origin of the Smith surname

The Smith name originated in England and is an old English word for the trade of working in metal. The word "Smith" comes from an old English form of the word "Smite" which means "to hit".

Smith as a surname is one of the most common names in English speaking countries which has led to it being frequently used by people wishing to hide their true identity.

"A worker in metals. The name is written Smyth, and Smythe. Some of the families of Smith are descended from Neil Cromb, third son of Murdoch, Chief of Clan Chattan, temp. William the Lion. "_{(The origin and signification of Scottish surnames. Clifford Stanley Sims, 1862)}

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"SMITH, SMYTH, SMYTHS. From the occupation. "For, since the birth of time, throughout all ages and nations, Has the craft of the smith been held in repute by the people." Longfellow, Evangeline. "For more than 400 years a family of Smith, first as kindly tenants, and afterwards as lairds, were settled in the parish of Strathblane at Craigend... The tradition of the family is that when surnames came into use they took their name from their occupation of the smiths and armourers of the Barony of Mugdock (" (Strathend rick, p. xvii). In Latin documents the name is rendered by Faber and Ferro. Adam Faber held a croft on the lands of Swaynystoun, c. 1221-34 (Sciltre, p. 23), and William faber de Karel was a witness, c. 1250 (May, p. 38). Robert the smith (ferro) witnessed a charter by John, bishop of Dunkeld, c. 1199 (Inchafray, p. 5). William the Smith was juror on an inquest made at Traquair, 1274 (Bain, ii, 34), Alan Smyth was one of the 'Gustatores Ceruisie' in Aberdeen, 1398 (CRA., p. 375), Thomas Smyth, Scotsman, had safe conduct into England in same year, and Patrick Smyth of Scotland was to be kept in custody in the Tower of London, 1401 (Bain, rv, 504, 594). John Smyth Was tenant of the Tabrile [Smithy] de Inveryalder,' 1539 (ER., xvn, p. 660), and Elizabeth Smythe and Margaret Smythe were heirs portioners of Alexander Smythe in Greinholme, 1621 (Retours, Ayr, 209, 210). Prof. Alexander Smith (b. 1865), head of the department of chemistry in Columbia University, New York City, was born in Edinburgh. Smeayth 1661, Smyith 1453, Smyithe 1607, Smytht 1511. "_{(The surnames of Scotland. George Fraser Black, 1866-1948)}

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