Where did the last name Smith come from?

Does it have anything to do with being a blacksmith?

Where did the last name Smith come from?
It's from merry old england. Smiths were men who worked certain trades: Tinsmiths, Goldsmiths, Coppersmiths. Blacksmiths were probably called that because of the soot and grime that probably covered their bodies. The last name described what they did. Sometimes it was to identify who their father was John's son Johnson, Stephen's son, Stephenson.
Reply:Yep, and by the way Smith's the most common last name in the US and Britain. However, there are only 2 to 3 million persons in America bearing this last name. However, I heard somewhere that the number of Smiths is declining. Report Abuse

Reply:The last name Smith did come from the word blacksmith, but silversmith, goldsmith etc etc as well. A smith was a craftsman, normally someone who worked with metals. In the middle ages people were known by their first names and occupations IE, James the miller, it then became James Miller.
Reply:Smith is english.
Reply:well my last name is smith and my dad told me and i learnt at school that it would come from blacksmith...goldsmith...sliversmith, basicsally any1 who worked with metals. As the sons and daughters of these people would be called...the blacksmiths son or the goldsmiths daughter. I think this is where the name came from.
Reply:Not necessarily a blacksmith, but likely from a smith of some sort, and it would be hard to narrow down a specific town or village.
Reply:Yes that's exactly where it comes from.
Reply:yeah, it does
Reply:smith grind-something to do with sk8ing :P
Reply:You are right on target...........





Smith changed his name first to Jones; then to Miller. :-)
Reply:Smith was the name of severals trades
Reply:In fact it does. It relates to the "Village Smithey" Where exactly it originated I have never heard. Maybe someone else will post.
Reply:it has everything to do with it.
Reply:It originated from the trade a person had. As you have already said, a Blacksmith for one. Theres also tinsmith, and any trade that had smith attached to it.
Reply:Yes.
Reply:I am a Smith and it did come from blacksmithing, goldsmith, ect. Most people took their last name based on the trade the performed. However, my father used to say that at the begining of time, everyone was named Smith and as they "goofed up" they had to change their name!!!
Reply:Blacksmith is one. There are many different types of smiths.
Reply:from any kind of smith.


a blacksmith, leathersmith, etc.
Reply:yes it does
Reply:yes indeed it does the old name was smith afta the trade ands son of a smith,also wen the name went abroad it changed to smyth and so on.

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