Help with origin of Smith surname....

[Smith_USA]

Hello all,

Lately I've been trying to gain some incite on the origin of my surname, Smith. I've heard from various sources that it's Scottish in origin, and actually came from being a part of a clan. I originally thought it was an English name, but I've found no obvious proof of it's origin. I would appreciate any help you could give me. All I currently know is that it might be derived from the occupation of smithing, or "to smite." Anyway, thanks for the help.

[Polwarth]

Hello there!

Smith is an 'occupational' name, like Baker or Carpenter or Cooper or Fletcher (arrow-maker).

Whilst there are Scottish Smiths (of course!), it was, for many years, the most common (in the nicest possible way!) name in England! There are also Irish Smiths, Welsh Smiths, German Schmidts, Belgian Smits and so on....

The only way to 'prove' that your Smith ancestry is Scots is to do a trace back from your generation to the first immigrant Smith in your family to the USA. Then you MAY be able to trace him/her back to Scotland, Ireland or wherever, which may give you a chance to verify old parish records for the ancestor's area of origin.

Every clan had their own 'Smith' - so lots of clans may claim 'Smith' as a sept name. If you manage to trace your family back to Scotland, then the area of origin MAY give you an idea of which clan - in light of which clan(s) held sway in that area.... although, even that is not an infallible system.

Sorry to be so vague - but genealogy is a very long and difficult study!

However, I believe there is now a US Clan SOCIETY (note, a society, NOT a clan; no clan is considered a 'clan' unless there is a current Chief, approved by the Lord Lyon Court in Edinburgh).

Try this URL for http://www.electricscotland.com which has lots of info re Smith. Note that they urge caution re assuming that because your name may be Smith, this automatically makes your ancestry Scottish!
http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...oz/smith2.html


I wish you good luck with your research!

[Smith_USA]

Thanks a lot for the help, although I'd hate to have to add another nationality to my heritage. I hope it's not tracable to Ireland for that reason, and I'm Welsh on my mother's side (Surnames Morgan/Hughes). As for my paternal grandmother's name, I assume Mason is another occupational name.

[Polwarth]

You're right, Mason is another one!

It might be nice to claim 'another' celtic race in your ancestry..... after all, just think how much more enjoyable the US celebration of St Patrick's Day would be for you.... Excuse to down another pint!

[Marhar]

I can find that the name Smith is associated with the following Clans

Chattan
Macfarland
Mackintosh
Macpherson
hope it helps

Marhar

[Smith_USA]

You both have been a great help. I intend to look into this further. It's nice to find people that don't mind taking time to help others. You have probably pointed me in the right direction.

I do have another "problem", though I'm not sure you can help me with it. I've been doing research into the Mason side of my family as well, and I've uncovered the birthplace of my great great grandfather. It was in the Cricklade district of the county of Wiltshire, England. I am wondering if you know any good sources to look into to further my research on that side. Currently I'm looking for the names of his parents. I have not found anything while looking into the local baptism/christening records, and those are the only sources I've found so far. I need to find records for that area around the year 1853. If any of you can help me, it would be greatly appreciated. Scotland.com has already proved to be good, thanks to all of you.


(Nice St. Patricks Day idea)

[Polwarth]

WHAT a coincidence - I know Cricklade as I used to live Wiltshire for a couple of years!

Here's a site which may help
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/WIL/

All births/deaths/marriages in England and Wales are registered centrally in London. It used to be Somerset House, but they have now moved to a non-descript building in Islington... not the same feeling of grandeur about any record searches nowadays, I'm afraid!