Smith Last Name Origin. Occupational name for a worker in metal from Middle English smith Old English smiư probably a derivative of smitan to strike hammer. From an English surname meaning metal worker blacksmith derived from Old English smitan to smite to hit. Discover the origin and the meanings of your name. 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.
Updated February 05 2019. Occupational name for a worker in metal from Middle English smith Old English smiư probably a derivative of smitan to strike hammer. But there are some exceptions. Smith is a surname originating in England. As the OP suggests most last names that end in -smith are occupational last names where the smith typically means roughly maker of. The most common of all surnames and might of itself furnish matter enough for a volume.
Smith is an Anglo-Saxon name.
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. Smith is a surname originating in England. Like a window into their day-to-day life Smith census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked their level of education veteran status and more. Smith has been used as an occupational surname since the Anglo-Saxon period. Search Canadian census records for Smith. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland.