Smithee
A surname used in fictional credits to disclaim authorship on a film.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 617 Americans carry the last name Smithee. That puts it at #41,657 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.18 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 555,518 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Smithee surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
617
1 in 555,518
Census rank
#41,657
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
522
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 522 bearers of the surname Smithee in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 41657th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Smithee, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Smithee
The surname Smithee is an occupational name that originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "smitan," meaning "to strike" or "to forge," and refers to a blacksmith or metalworker.
Smithee was a common occupational surname in medieval England, particularly in areas with a strong metalworking tradition, such as Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and the Midlands. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Smythee" and "Smythie."
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Smithee was often associated with skilled craftsmen who worked with metal, particularly in the production of weapons, armor, and tools. Some historical references to individuals with the name Smithee can be found in medieval guild records and tax rolls.
One notable bearer of the name Smithee was John Smithee, a prominent blacksmith from York who lived in the late 14th century. He was known for his exceptional skill in forging swords and armor, and his work was highly sought after by knights and noblemen.
Another important figure was William Smithee, a master metalworker from Nottingham who lived in the early 15th century. He is recorded as having worked on the construction of the famous Nottingham Castle and was recognized for his expertise in creating intricate metalwork for architectural projects.
In the 16th century, the surname Smithee began to spread beyond its traditional strongholds in northern and central England. Thomas Smithee (1525-1592) was a renowned blacksmith from London who gained recognition for his innovative techniques in metalworking and his contributions to the development of the city's thriving metalworking industry.
As the surname Smithee gained prominence, it was also adopted by families with no direct connection to the metalworking trade. This was particularly true in rural areas, where the name may have been adopted as a descriptive nickname or as a means of distinguishing between different families or individuals.
Other notable bearers of the surname Smithee include Margaret Smithee (1620-1698), a prominent landowner and philanthropist in Gloucestershire, and Richard Smithee (1745-1822), a successful merchant and shipowner from Bristol who played a significant role in the city's maritime trade.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Smithee
Among Census respondents with the surname Smithee, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Smithee bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Smithee surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.0%
- Two or more races4.2%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.5%
- Unknown or suppressed0.8%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Smithee surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #36,531 | #41,657 | -14.0% |
| Count | 578 | 522 | -9.7% |
| Per 100K | 0.21 | 0.18 | -14.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Smithee bearers went from 578 to 522 (-9.7% change). The surname moved down 5,126 positions in the national ranking, going from #36,531 to #41,657.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Smithee
FAQ
Smithee surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Smithee?
The surname Smithee holds position #41,657 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 617 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Smithee surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Smithee, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.0%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (4.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.