Find out how popular the last name Smaw is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Smaw.

Smaw, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Smaw surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Smaw in America

Smaw is the 57781st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Smaw surname appeared 352 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Smaw.

We can also compare 2010 data for Smaw to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Smaw

The surname "SMAW" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, with roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "smeðe," meaning a smith or metalworker, particularly one who worked with iron or steel.

The name likely originated as an occupational surname, given to those who practiced the craft of smithing or were involved in metalworking. It may have been used to differentiate families or individuals who were engaged in this trade from others in their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "SMAW" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Smethe" and "Smythe," reflecting the fluid nature of spelling during that era.

During the Middle Ages, the surname "SMAW" may have been associated with certain areas or regions known for their metalworking traditions. For example, some early records indicate the presence of families with this name in the counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, which were renowned for their ironworking industries.

Notable individuals bearing the surname "SMAW" throughout history include John Smaw (c. 1480-1545), a prominent English landowner and member of the gentry in Gloucestershire. Another notable figure was William Smaw (1572-1638), a merchant and alderman in the City of London, who served as the Sheriff of London in 1632.

In the 17th century, the surname "SMAW" appears in various records related to the English colonization of North America. For instance, Thomas Smaw (1620-1690) was an early settler in Virginia, arriving in the colony around 1643 and establishing a plantation in what is now Surry County.

Other notable individuals with the surname "SMAW" include Reverend Samuel Smaw (1692-1768), an Anglican clergyman who served as the rector of St. Paul's Parish in Hanover County, Virginia, and Richard Smaw (1765-1835), a member of the South Carolina legislature and a prominent landowner in the state.

While the surname "SMAW" has evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its origins remain firmly rooted in the metalworking traditions of medieval England, serving as a testament to the importance of this craft in the country's history and cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Smaw

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Smaw.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Smaw was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Smaw has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Smaw was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Smaw, please contact us.

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