Map of England showing where the Smashey arms are recorded
The Smashey arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Smashey arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Smashey Family in England
The family name Smashey traces its roots to the historic city of York, England, where members of the family were documented as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Smasheys were often part of the growing merchant or artisan classes that helped define the local economy. The name itself likely evolved from a descriptive nickname or a localized occupational term common in Northern England during the seventeenth century. As the family established their presence in the region, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, living through a time of significant political and cultural change in Britain. Over the following generations, the family name persisted as a distinct identifier, reflecting the long-standing history of families who built their lives within the ancient walls of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Smash
Middle English verb meaning to break into pieces or shatter.
This name
SmasheyA topographical or occupational surname likely referring to someone who worked with breaking materials.
also spelled
Smache
Smachy
Smachie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey, 1620
Collins, Francis, The Registers of St. Michael le Belfrey, York, 1899
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cinquefoilHope and joy
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cinquefoilHope and joy
