Smith Coat of Arms & Family Crest
Where the Smith name began, what it means, and how your Smith coat of arms is painted.
Origin of the Smith name
Smith comes from the Old English word smið, a worker in metal. Every medieval village needed a smith to forge tools, horseshoes and weapons, so the name arose independently in hundreds of places. It is the most common surname in the United States, England, Scotland and Australia, and many German Schmidts and Irish Mac Gowans (from gobha, smith) became Smiths in America.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Smith name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Smith name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Smith family history
Your full Smith pack adds the researched history, early records and migration, with your painted coat of arms ready to print.
Smith name FAQ
What does the Smith name mean?
Metalworker (Old English smið). Common variants include Smyth, Smythe, Smithe.
Where does the Smith surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Smith coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Smith crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Smith coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; US Census Bureau 2010; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).