Surname Smallie - Meaning and Origin

Smallie: What does the surname Smallie mean?

The surname Smallie is believed to be of Scottish origin, possibly derived from the Old English word "smæl", meaning "small" or "narrow". It could have once been a nickname for a person of small stature, or perhaps a topographic name for someone who lived in a small, narrow place. Over time, the nickname or place reference became a hereditary surname. Similarly, it could be derived from the Gaelic elements "smaol" meaning light, beacon or signal, and "ach" meaning field, thus referring to someone living near a light field or beacon field. However, specific meaning tends to be lost over many generations so the origin is fairly speculative. Like many surnames, interpretations of its origin and meaning can vary.

Smallie: Where does the name Smallie come from?

The last name Smallie is most commonly found in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is amongst the top 30,000 most common surnames in Australia, where it is said to have originated in the 1800s. In the UK, Smallie appears in the top 10,000 most common surnames, while in the US, it is amongst the top 40,000 most common.

Early records show that the surname was popular in Scotland, particularly the east coast as it was believed to have come from an Anglicisation of the Gaelic word ‘smalaidh’, which means ‘little’. It has been claimed that the family is descended from the Clan L’Estrange, a Norman family in Ireland.

The Smallie family is small in size, but widespread. As one of the more common surnames, it is found not only in Australia, the UK, and the US, but also in Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. It is possible to trace family members back through records such as the UK Census of 19th century.

The Smallie family is not only renowned for its widespread distribution, but also its contributions to society. Many members of the Smallie family have served their countries in the military, made innovative contributions to the sciences, the arts, and the entertainment industry. Indeed, the family has a rich and remarkable heritage.

Variations of the surname Smallie

The surname Smallie has several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant spellings are Small, Smale, Smalle, and Smalley. Other variant spellings include Smaleye, Smally, Smallee, and Smalye.

The surname Smallie is often derived from two Middle English words, “smel” and “lea", which both mean “clearing” or “meadow”. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was a person who lived in a clearing or meadow.

The surname Smallie was also derived from the Old English word “smala”, which meant “small” or “little”. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was a small, insignificant person.

Surnames with the same origin as Smallie include Smales, Smalley, Smallwood, Smalleye, Smailes, Smailie, and Smoley.

The surname Smalley is derived from the Old English word “smal”, which meant “smooth” or “owed”. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was someone who owned or leased land.

The surname Smallwood is derived from the Old English words “smala” and “wudu”, which both mean “small wood”. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was a person who lived in a small wood.

The surname Smailes is derived from the Old English word “smal” and the Middle English word “leas”, which both mean “land cleared of trees”. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was a person who cleared land of trees.

The surnames Smailie, Smally, Smallee, and Smalye all have a similar origin in Middle English words associated with “small” or “little”, and are all related to the original bearer of the surname being a small, insignificant person.

Finally, the surname Smoley is derived from the Old English words “smel” and “healh”, which both mean “steady” or “firm”. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was a person who was reliable and trustworthy.

Famous people with the name Smallie

• Robert Smallie: Boxer, NBA coach, and announcer.
• Michael Smallie: Australian cricketer.
• Michael Smallie: South African cricketer.
• David Smallie: Scottish footballer.
• Juana Smallie: Argentinian pole vaulter.
• Tom Smallie: British sprint hurdler.
• Martin Smallie: South African rugby player.
• Chloe Smallie: British wheelchair fencer.
• Will Smallie: American NFL player.
• Lindsay Smallie: American figure skater.
• Maggie Smallie: Canadian figure skater.
• Jack Smallie: British singer-songwriter.
• John Smallie: Canadian ice hockey player.
• Henry Smallie Jr.: American movie producer.
• Harvey Smallie: Australian actor.
• Jeremy Smallie: British comedian.
• Jim Smallie: American playwright.
• Dave Smallie: British painter.
• Eddy Smallie: Australian entertainer.
• Roy Smallie: British rock musician.

Other surnames

SmallSmallerSmalleySmallsSmallwoodSmally