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 Smiths family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Smiths Family History

Smiths Surname Meaning

A variant of Smith with genitival or post-medieval excrescent -s.

The -s may also be locative implying ‘(at the) smith's (workshop)‘.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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 Smiths family from?

You can see how Smiths families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Smiths family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Smiths families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 4 Smiths families living in Yorkshire. This was about 25% of all the recorded Smiths's in United Kingdom. Yorkshire had the highest population of Smiths families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Smiths 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 Smiths ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Ashpalts Spreader (heavy Work and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Smiths. 100% of Smiths men worked as an Ashpalts Spreader (heavy Work and 90% of Smiths women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Smiths | 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.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Ashpalts Spreader (heavy Work
    100%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    90%
  • Housewife
    10%

What Smiths family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 4,000 census records available for the last name Smiths. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Smiths census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Smiths

Passenger Lists

There are 451 immigration records available for the last name Smiths. 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 Smiths immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 4,000 military records available for the last name Smiths. For the veterans among your Smiths ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Smiths military records

You've only scratched the surface of Smiths family history

Discover More

What is the average Smiths lifespan?

Between 1983 and 1999, in the United States, Smiths life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1989, and highest in 1988. The average life expectancy for Smiths in 1983 was 59, and 54 in 1999.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Smiths

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Smiths 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 Smiths family tree

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