Surname Smiths - Meaning and Origin

Smiths: What does the surname Smiths mean?

The last name Smiths is a patronymic surname derived from the English given name Smith, which was derived from the German given name Schmitz. The surname Smith originates from the Old English pre-7th century word Smitha, meaning "metalworker" or "blacksmith". It was introduced to England by the Normans during the 1066 invasion.

The Smiths surname was most commonly acquired by those who specialized in the trade of metalworking, such as blacksmiths, armorers, or swordsmiths who fashioned the weapons and armor used by knights during the Middle Ages. The name was also popular among miners, particularly blacksmiths, and thus became spread throughout English settlements in North America in the 17th and 18th centuries.

In modern times, the name Smith remains the most common surname in the English language, appearing in some form in nearly every country with an English influence. The Smiths surname is also found in many other variants, such as Smithson, Smythe, and many others. It is also popular among all social classes and ethnicities.

In summary, the Smiths surname is a derivative of other patronymic surnames derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for metalworker or blacksmith and retains its popularity today. Its historical origins and many variations make it a popular name in many countries, spanning all social classes and ethnicities.

Smiths: Where does the name Smiths come from?

The last name Smiths is most commonly associated with the United Kingdom, particularly England. It has been one of the most popular surnames in the country for centuries, and as of 2018 it was the third most popular surname in the country with over 478,000 people using the name.

In the United States, Smith is the most popular surname with over 2,700,000 people using it. It has achieved this popularity through the migration of British citizens to American in the past 100 years. There is also a strong trend in the U.S. for immigrants to adopt the last name Smith when they arrive, due to its sheer popularity and recognisably British roots.

Outside of the U.K. and U.S., the last name Smiths has a strong presence in many other English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa. Australian and Canadian citizens with the last name Smiths account for around 195,000 and 162,000 respectively, as of 2018. South Africa also has a fair number oflast name Smiths, with the latest census in 2011 reporting around 118,745 citizens with the name.

Overall, the last name Smiths is one of the most widely distributed surnames in the world, thanks to its popularity in the English-speaking countries of the world, but particularly in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Canada.

Variations of the surname Smiths

The surname Smiths is a very versatile surname that has several variant spellings and other surnames of a similar origin. Common variants of Smiths include Smith, Smythe, Smithe, and Smithes. Other surnames of similar origin include Schmidt, Schmitz, and Schwab.

The Smith surname originates from the old English word “smitjan,” which means to shape and craft. This made it a common occupational surname for those who crafted items such as iron or metal objects. The surname Smiths was created from the plural of Smith.

In Scotland, the Mac or Mc prefix is often used with Smiths. Common Scottish surnames for Smiths are MacGillivray, MacQuarrie, Smith-MacDonald, MacKay, and Smith-Taylor. In Ireland, variations of the name include Smyth, Smythe, and Smeeth.

In Germany, the surname Schwab comes from the old German noun for “smith,” “schwaben.” In Dutch, the suffix “sen” or “sz” is used with the name Smith to create variations such as Smitssen or Smitzsz.

The Smiths surname is also quite common in Scandinavia, where it is mainly spelled with a “c” as opposed to a “th”. This variation is often written as Smic or Smik. Other Scandinavian surnames that stem from the Smith origin include Smyke and Smack.

Overall, the surname Smiths has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of a similar origin. This makes it especially easy to trace different branches of the same family with a common surname.

Famous people with the name Smiths

• Jaden Smith
• Will Smith
• Sam Smith
• Dave Smith
• Chris Smith
• Anna Smith
• Joe Smith
• Patti Smith
• Carolyn Smith
• Harry Smith
• Adam Smith
• Geri Smith
• Emmitt Smith
• A. J. Smith
• Alexander Smith
• Andrew Smith
• Anna Nicole Smith
• Bob Smith
• Brooke Smith
• Derek Smith

Other surnames

SmithSmith-SligoSmitheSmithemanSmitherSmithermanSmithersSmitheySmithhartSmithlinSmithsonSmithySmithyman