A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Smith family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 5754 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
What the shield shows
A silver background with a black chevron, and three red roses set around it, their barbs and seeds green.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. sa. betw. three roses gu. barbed and seeded vert. Another Coat (from MS. Coll. of Arms)—Sa. on a chev. betw. three roses ar. as many roses gu. seeded gold”
LincolnLichfield · Lincoln, c. 1491
Where the Smith Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Smith arms are recorded
The Smith arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1491.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Henry VII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VII of England
1485–1509
Reigning in England when the Smith 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Smith Family in England
PronunciationSMITH/smɪθ/
The surname Smith is an occupational name that originates from the Old English word *smitan*, which means to strike or to smite. In medieval England, a smith was a person who worked with metal, such as a blacksmith, goldsmith, or silversmith. Because metalwork was essential for farming, warfare, and daily life, smiths were found in almost every village and town. As a result, the name was not tied to a single family line. Instead, it emerged independently in many different places as people began using their trade to identify themselves.
By the late 15th century, the name was already firmly established across the country. Records from 1491 confirm that members of the Smith family were active in Lincoln, a city with a long history of trade and craftsmanship. During this period, the name was becoming a permanent hereditary surname rather than just a job description. Because the profession was so common, it quickly became the most frequent surname in England. This widespread presence reflects the vital role that metalworkers played in the growth and stability of early English communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bookLearning, and the recording of truth
fireZeal and purification
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
What the shield shows
A blue background with an open book between three flames in their natural colours, inside a silver border with a scalloped edge carrying four blue stars and four blue crosses.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a book open betw. three flames of fire ppr. within a bordure engr. ar. charged with four mullets and as many crosses crosslet of the first”
EdinburghEdinburgh, c. 1672
Where the Smith Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Smith arms are recorded
The Smith arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1672.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Smith arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Smith Family in Scotland
PronunciationSMITH/smɪθ/
The surname Smith is one of the oldest and most common names in Scotland. It originated as an occupational title for a metalworker or blacksmith. Because these craftsmen were essential to every medieval village, the name appeared independently in many different regions. By the early 17th century, the name was well established across the Scottish Lowlands and the Northeast. In 1635, records confirm that families bearing the name Smith were active members of the community in Aberdeen. These individuals were often integrated into the local trade guilds, which were powerful organizations that managed the city's economy and craftsmanship.
Life for the Smith family in 17th-century Aberdeen was shaped by the city’s role as a busy port and center of commerce. As members of the merchant and artisan classes, they likely participated in the civic life of the burgh. During this era, official records such as baptismal registers and property deeds began to document the family's presence more consistently. These documents show that the Smiths were not just transient workers but established residents who contributed to the growth of the city. Their history reflects the broader story of Scottish families who transitioned from rural trades to becoming the backbone of urban Scottish society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
leopardA valiant warrior who braves danger
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
The shield is divided by a chevron line, blue above and red below, carrying three silver leopards' heads torn off at the neck and spotted black.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Per chev. az. and gu. three leopards' heads erased ar. spotted sa”
Irelandc. 1635
Where the Smith Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Smith arms are recorded
The Smith arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1635.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Smith arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Smith Family in Ireland
PronunciationSMITH/smɪθ/
The name Smith is one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world, but its history in Ireland is distinct. While the name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, referring to a metalworker or blacksmith, it became widespread in Ireland through centuries of migration and settlement. By the early 17th century, families bearing the name were well-established in urban centers like Dublin. Records from 1635 confirm that individuals named Smith were active participants in the city’s growing commercial and civic life during this period of significant social change.
In the Irish context, the name often served as an anglicized version of native Gaelic surnames. Many Irish families chose to adopt the name Smith to simplify their identity or to navigate the legal and social systems of the time more easily. Because the trade of a blacksmith was essential to every community, the name was practical and easily recognized across different cultures. By the mid-1600s, the presence of the Smith family in Dublin reflected the broader integration of settlers and local populations within the capital city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Smitan
To smite or strike with a hammer
This name
SmithA person who works with metal, specifically a blacksmith
also spelled
Smyth
Smithe
Smythe
Smijth
Related arms
Cardelyon, or Cardelonsame arms
Cardetonsame arms
Kennedysame arms
Smythvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia, A Dictionary of Surnames, 1988
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln City Council Records, 1491
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
fireZeal and purification
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
leopardA valiant warrior who braves danger
