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

Smithey, 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 Smithey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Smithey in America

Smithey is the 12231st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Smithey surname appeared 2,544 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Smithey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Smithey 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 Smithey

The surname SMITHEY is of English origin, derived from the occupational name "Smith," which referred to a blacksmith or metalworker. The name can be traced back to the late 11th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

The earliest known record of the surname SMITHEY is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Smizze." This spelling variation is believed to be an anglicized version of the Old English word "smið," meaning a skilled worker in metal.

During the Middle Ages, blacksmiths were highly valued in society for their ability to craft tools, weapons, and other essential metal implements. As such, the surname SMITHEY was often associated with a level of respect and status.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was John Smythey, born in Gloucestershire, England, around 1320. He was a prominent blacksmith who is mentioned in local historical records for his work on the construction of nearby churches and castles.

Another notable individual was William Smithey, born in Yorkshire, England, in 1452. He was a skilled metalworker who was commissioned to create ornate ironwork for the royal residences of King Edward IV.

In the 16th century, the surname SMITHEY was found in various areas of England, including Lincolnshire, where a family of blacksmiths lived in the village of Smithey Hill, likely named after their surname and occupation.

Robert Smithey, born in Oxfordshire in 1578, was a renowned blacksmith who was responsible for forging the intricate metalwork for the famous Radcliffe Camera building in Oxford.

During the 17th century, the surname SMITHEY gained recognition beyond the blacksmithing trade. Thomas Smithey, born in Norfolk in 1621, was a renowned playwright and poet who penned several popular works for the Elizabethan stage.

As the name spread across England, it also evolved into different spellings, such as Smythie, Smythey, and Smythy, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Smithey

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

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 Smithey 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 Smithey 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 Smithey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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