This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Smetana family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Smetana Family History

Smetana Surname Meaning

Czech, Slovak, Rusyn (also from Slovakia), Ukrainian, and Jewish (from Ukraine): from Czech, Rusyn, and Ukrainian smetana ‘cream’.

Either a nickname (perhaps ironic for a ‘delicious’ person or for someone who liked cream).

Or a metonymic occupational name for a trader in dairy products.

This name reflects the cultural and culinary significance of dairy products in these regions.

It may also highlight the interplay between identity and occupation in historical contexts.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Smetana family from?

You can see how Smetana families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Smetana family name was found in the USA, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Smetana families were found in USA in 1920. In 1841 there were 8 Smetana families living in Berwickshire. This was 100% of all the recorded Smetana's in Scotland. Berwickshire had the highest population of Smetana families in 1841.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Smetana surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Smetana ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Smetana. 22% of Smetana men worked as a Farmer and 19% of Smetana women worked as a Stenographer. Some less common occupations for Americans named Smetana were Machinist and Clerk.

View Census Data for Smetana | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    22%
  • Salesman
    11%
  • Laborer
    9%
  • Machinist
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Stenographer
    19%
  • Typist
    10%
  • Bookkeeper
    10%
  • Clerk
    10%

What Smetana family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name Smetana. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Smetana census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Smetana

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Smetana. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Smetana immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Smetana. For the veterans among your Smetana ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Smetana military records

You've only scratched the surface of Smetana family history

Discover More

What is the average Smetana lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Smetana life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1962, and highest in 2002. The average life expectancy for Smetana in 1945 was 62, and 80 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Smetana

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Smetana ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Smetana family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial