Surname Smithe - Meaning and Origin

Smithe: What does the surname Smithe mean?

The surname Smithe is a variant of the more common surname Smith. It's of Anglo-Saxon origin and has its roots in the Old English word "smiþ" which means "one who works in metal" or "blacksmith". The surname evolved to Smith during the Middle Ages. It was an occupational surname given to people who were blacksmiths by trade. Blacksmiths were important figures in each medieval town as they worked with metal to create tools, weapons, household goods, horseshoes, and other necessary items. Over time, many variations of this surname appeared due to regional dialects and phonetic spellings, one of which is Smithe. It is spread across English speaking countries, including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. As with Smith, the name Smithe is not indicative of a single lineage, rather it represents many unrelated families who adopted or were assigned this occupational surname.

Smithe: Where does the name Smithe come from?

The surname Smithe can be found around the world today, although its current distribution varies greatly. In the United Kingdom, the name is most common in London and the Home Counties, particularly Essex, with some notable hotspots further north. In the United States, the surname is most common in the Midwest, mostly concentrated around Ohio, Michigan, and northeastern Indiana, with lesser concentrations in a few other states. Canada’s Smithes are also mostly concentrated around the Great Lakes region.

Outside of these regions, the surname can be spotted in significant numbers in Australia and New Zealand. India is home to a significant number of Smithes as well, mostly a result of British colonization of India. There are also pockets of Smithes found in South Africa, particularly the formerly British-ruled states.

The surname is still shared by many families across the world today, and there are several possible origins for the name. It could be a variant of Smith, derived from tradesmen who crafted products from metal. It may also be derived from a location or geographical feature — the Middle English phrase 'smithe' could be a derivative of the Old Saxon 'smit', meaning 'a grassy meadow'.

Variations of the surname Smithe

The surname Smithe has many variations and spellings over time. Some of the more commonly seen variations include Smith, Smyth, Smithee, Smythee, Smithe, Smythe, and Smitheey.

Much of the name’s variation can be attributed to regional dialects and cultural influences from the various countries the surname’s original bearers traveled through or landed in. The original surname spelling was Smyth, which was common in England and Scotland. Later on, the ‘e’ was added at the end of the name in many areas, creating the now-common spelling of Smith.

Due variations in spelling and pronunciation, some of the surnames that evolved as a result of alternate spelling of Smithe include Schmidt, Schmitt, Smeeth, Schmitthenner, Smytheon, Smitten, and Smythe.

In some areas, the suffix ‘-son’ was added at the end of the surname. This would create surnames like Smithson and Smitson. Similarly, the addition of ‘-son’ to Smithe also resulted in variants such as Smitheson and Smittheson.

Family lineages may also have influence on the variants of a name. For example, some branches of the Smithe clan may have adopted additional surnames such as Smithson, Smithfield or Smithwick.

Overall, considering the range of variations for Smithe, it is quite likely that more variation and derivations exist. The multiple branching surnames of the Smithe family tree aid in tracing the historical path of the ancestral family to the present.

Famous people with the name Smithe

• Sam Smith: British singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor.
• Michael Smith: Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL).
• Alexander Smith: Scottish poet and essayist.
• Megan Smith: American engineer, inventor and business executive.
• Nancy Smith: American television and movie producer.
• David Smith: American artist best known for sculpture.
• George Smith: American businessman and founder of Smith & Wesson.
• Stephen Smith: Australian corporate executive.
• Laura Smith: Canadian singer-songwriter.
• Elizabeth Smith: Australian artist specialising in contemporary visual arts.
• Nicole Smith: American Professional golfer.
• Mitch Smith: American professional football player.
• Jim Smith: Scottish former footballer and current manager of Oxford United F.C.
• Irene Smith: English television presenter.
• U. S. Grant Smith: American actor and screenwriter.
• Emily Smith: Scottish folk singer.
• James Smith: American actor.
• Rita Smith: Canadian actress and retired former federal government employee.
• Richard Smith: American businessman and computer scientist.
• Bruce Smith: American former professional football player.

Other surnames

SmithSmith-SligoSmithemanSmitherSmithermanSmithersSmitheySmithhartSmithlinSmithsSmithsonSmithySmithyman