Map of England showing where the Smethurst arms are recorded
The Smethurst arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 Smethurst 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Smethurst Family in England
The surname Smethurst originates from the Old English words "smethe," meaning smooth, and "hyrst," meaning a wooded hill. This descriptive name suggests that the original family members lived near a gentle, level piece of elevated land or a cleared forest area. By the year 1620, historical records confirm that the Smethurst family was well-established in the county of Lancaster. During this period, the family was deeply rooted in the local landscape, likely working as farmers or tradespeople who identified themselves by the specific geography of their home. As the family grew, they became a recognizable part of the Lancashire community, contributing to the local economy and social structure of the region for generations.
Smethurst Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Smethe and Hurst
Smooth or level ground and a wooded hill or grove.
This name
SmethurstRefers to someone who lived near a smooth or level wooded area.
also spelled
Smethirst
Smetherst
Related arms
Breresrecorded with Smethurst, same area
Davenportrecorded with Smethurst, same area
Gillibrandrecorded with Smethurst, same area
Knightlyrecorded with Smethurst, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert, The Place-Names of Lancashire, 1922
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
