Smithes Smythes Family Surname Genealogy

 

 

 

 

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Family History

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      We have traced our Smythes* lineage back to our 14th great-grandfather Willus Smythes.  Willus was born in Somersetshire, England about 1470.  We know only the name of his son as Johannes Smythes through whom we are descended. 

     George Smythes, son of the aformentioned Johannes Smythes, is our 12th great-grandfather. George   lived in Somersetshire in the village of Wrington.  Wrington is located in the valley of the Congresbury Yeo river in North SomersetThe church of All Saints has been the village church since the13th-century.   George was the brother of William (Willus) Symthe de Wyke whose armorial bearings are displayed at the top of this page.

     John Smythes, the son of George Smythes, lived his entire life at Wrington. There is much confusion regarding the maiden name of his wife of wives.  The two most prominent being Dorrington and / or Bickombe**.  We know that John did produce six daughters and one son between about 1590 and 1608.  The coat-of-arms belonging to this John Smythes of Wrington contained a crescent indicating a second branch of the family but was otherwise the same as his cousin George Symthe son of the aforementioned William (Willus) Symthe de WykeJohn Smythes died in July 1626 and was buried in the graveyard at the church of All Saints

     The last of ancestor of this line is our 10th great-grandmother, Elizabeth Smythes, daughter of John Smythes and Joan Bickombe.  Elizabeth was born at Wrington in 1595 and was christened on 22 July of that year at the aforementioned church of All Saints.   Elizabeth married Robert Godwin also a native of Somersetshire.  Our descent continues with their son Thomas Godwin born about 1614.  Thomas left England and came to the Colony of Virginia about 1650.  Elizabeth is mentioned in her mother's will (Joan SMYTHES) dated 1638.  The document notes Elizabeth Godwin and several of her children (including Thomas) who are not mentioned elsewhere. This is the only appearance of Thomas Godwin in English Records.

* According to Raymond Smythies, in his Records of the Smythies Family it appears that the  spelling of Smythes was preferred by early members of the family in Somerset. In the documents he quotes within the book the numerous spelling variants are Smythes, Smithies, Smythes, Smythies, Smethes, and Smethees. The Smethees spelling probably indicates the way the name was pronounced. Sir Benard Burke in his, The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales notes that the spelling as either Smythies or Smythes.

** Raymond Smythies, in his Records of the Smythies Family notes that John Smythes, “ married Joane daughter of ___ Dorrington, and had a son John… and six daughters”. The1620 will of John Bickombe refers to, “the children of my sister Smithes,” “my brother-in-law John Smithes of Wrington,” “John Smithes, the younger, of Wrington”, and, “my sister Joane wife of John Smithes.” Speculation the John Bickombe is referring to John Smythes, the younger as his brother-in-law is unfounded as he married a Sara Fowen as noted within John Smythes 1626 Will as “my daughter-in-law Sara Smithies,a widowe.”   The 1638 Will of Joane Smythes refers to Elizabeth Godwin and others as her daughter, and Edward Godwin as her grandson. The best but possibly incorrect explanation of this research information is that John Smythes first married a Joane Dorrington who died early without or any known issue.  Then he married Joane Bickombe, whom Raymond Smythes believes was previously married with a daughter Mary. The family relationships stated in both the John Bickombe (1620) and Joane Smythes (1638) appear to be correct especially as they apply to our 10th great-grandmother Elizabeth Smythes Godwin.  As such we believe that our 11th great-grandmother was most likely Joane Bickombe.   

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Direct ancestors

Ancestral Lineage

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DESCENDANT REGISTER

Generation 1

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WILLUS1 SMYTHES was born about 1470 in Somerset, England. He died about 1560 in Somerset, England.

 

Willus Smythes had the following child:

 

·         JOHANNES2 SMYTHES was born in 1500 in Wrington, Somerset, England. He died in 1544 in Blackmore, Essex, England.

Generation 2

JOHANNES2 SMYTHES (Willus1) was born in 1500 in Wrington, Somerset, England. He died in 1544 in Blackmore, Essex, England.

 

Johannes Smythes had the following child:

 

·         GEORGE3 SMYTHES was born in 1520 in Somerset, England. He died on 22 Jul 1590 in Wrington, Somerset, England.

Generation 3

GEORGE3 SMYTHES (Johannes2, Willus1) was born in 1520 in Somerset, England. He died on 22 Jul 1590 in Wrington, Somerset, England.

 

George Smythes had the following children:

 

·         JOHN4 SMYTHES was born on 25 Jul 1551 in Somerset, England. He died on 26 Jun 1626 in Wrington, Somerset, England. He married Joan Johane Bickombe about 1588 in Somerset, England. She was born in 1570 in Somerset, England. She died in 1639 in Wrington, Somerset, England.

 

  • THOMAS SMYTHES was born about 1555 in Somerset, England. He died on Feb 1569/70 in Somerset, England.

Generation 4

JOHN4 SMYTHES (George3, Johannes2, Willus1) was born on 25 Jul 1551 in Somerset, England. He died on 26 Jun 1626 in Wrington, Somerset, England. He first married Joane Dorrington and second Joane Bickombe about 1588 in Somerset, England. She was born in 1570 in Somerset, England. She died in 1639 in Wrington, Somerset, England.

 

John Smythes and Joan Johane Bickombe had the following children:

 

  • JANE5 SMYTHES was born about 1590 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She died on Apr 1658 in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England.

 

  • ELIZABETH SMYTHES was born on 22 Jun 1595 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She died after 1638 in Somerset, England. She married ROBERT GODWIN. He was born in 1589 in Somerset, England. He died in 1661 in Somerset, England.

 

  • SARA SMYTHES was born about 1597 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She died after 1639 in Brockley, Suffolk, England.

 

  • JOHN SMYTHES was born about 1598 in Wrington, Somerset, England. He died on May 1626 in Wrington, Somerset, England.

 

  • MARY SMYTHES was born in 1599 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She died after Jun 1672 in Upton Noble, Somerset, England.

 

  • JOANE SMYTHES was born about 1605 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She died after 1638.

 

·         JUDITH SMYTHES was born in 1608 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She died about 1650 in London, Middlesex, England. She married John Taverner on 01 Jun 1622 in Wrington, Somerset, England

Generation 5

ELIZABETH5 SMYTHES (John4 Smythes, George3 Smythes, Johannes2 Smythes, Willus1 Smythes) was born on 22 Jun 1595 in Wrington, Somerset, England. She died after 1638 in Somerset, England. She married ROBERT GODWIN. He was born in 1589 in Somerset, England. He died in 1661 in Somerset, England.

 

Robert Godwin and Elizabeth SMYTHES had the following child: THOMAS6 GODWIN was born about 1614 in Somerset, England. He died about 1678 in New Kent County. Virginia. He married Mary Elizabeth Godwin (nee?) in 1636 in Somerset, England.  

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Source documents

Source
Documents

 

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The documents contained within this “Source Documents Archives” have been located during our research of this family, and used as evidence to prove many of the facts contained within the database of this family’s record.   We have source documents related to the following persons within our database with this surname.

 

·         Jane Smythes (c.1590-1658)

·         John Smythes (1551-1626)

·         Mary Smythes (1599-aft.1672)

·         Smythes - Records of the Symthies Family

·         Smythes - The Pedigree of the  Family

·         The Smythies of Wrington, Wyke Court, Yatton, Somersetshire

 

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archive of source documents.  

You are welcome to download any of the documents contained within this archive that does not cite a copyright.  Should you encounter a problem obtaining a copy you may get in touch with us via the contact information found at the end of this web-page.

     Most of these documents can be considered as primary or secondary evidence.  Primary evidence is usually defined as the best available to prove the fact in question, usually in an original document or record.  Secondary evidence is in essence all that evidence which is inferior in its origin to primary evidence. That does not mean secondary evidence is always in error, but there is a greater chance of error.  Examples of this type of evidence would be a copy of an original record, or oral testimony of a record’s contents.  Published genealogies and family histories are also secondary evidence.

     Classifying evidence as either primary or secondary does not tell anything about its accuracy or ultimate value.  This is especially true of secondary evidence.  Thus it is always a good idea to ask the following questions: (1) How far removed from the original is it, (when it is a copy)?; (2) What was the reason for the creation of the source which contains this evidence?; and (3) Who was responsible for creating this secondary evidence and what interest did they have in its accuracy?

SOURCE: Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 2nd edition, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 21202, 1990, pgs. 62-63

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Migration routes

Migrations of the
American Family

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       Tracing our own family’s paths of migration can prove crucial in identifying previous generations and eventually, figuring out where and how they arrived in the “New World” as well as where they eventually settled.  Knowing the network of trails American pioneers traveled can help you guess where to start looking.  The trail map(s) provided below may assist you in understanding the routes that our direct ancestors of this family may have taken to find new homes and opportunities in the vast area now encompassed by the United States.

      During the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries hundreds of thousands of Europeans made the perilous ocean voyage to America.  For many it was an escape from economic hardship and religious persecution.  For most it was an opportunity to start over, own their own land, and make a better future for their descendents.

Immigration records show a number of people bearing the name of BROWN, or one of its variants, as arriving in North America between the 17th and 20th centuries.  Some of these immigrants were: in 1819 William Smythes, age 21, of Great Britain arrived at Philadelphia; Ann Smythes and her children William and Elizabeth arrived at New York from England in 1842;   John Smythes arrived at Philadelphia from Liverpool, England in 1807.   Other first American settlers of this name or some of its variants were: George Smither who settled in Virginia in 1652; Christopher Smithers settled in Maryland in 1704. Rich Smith, who settled in Virginia in 1638; Abbigall Smith, who was granted land in Virginia in 1673; James Smith and his wife Mary, who immigrated to Boston in 1718 with their children, as well as Abel Smith, who came to Boston in 1763.

Use the following links to find more early immigrants with this surname:

$ Search Ancestry.com Immigration Records; or Free Ship’s Passenger lists at OliveTreeGenealogy.com

 

The Development of an Historical Migration Route

It is understood that in many if not all cases we do not know exactly what routes our ancestors took as they migrated throughout the United States.   As such certain assumptions have been utilized to re-create the migration path presented above.  With regard to 18th and 19th century land routes we assume that they travelled along few trails and roads that were in existence at the time.  Research shows that a great many of these old paths and trails are today designated as U.S. Highway Routes.  For example, a major east-west route of migration known as the National Road is now U.S. Route 40, and a primary north-south migration route of the 18th century followed the Great Indian War and Trading Path is now U.S. Route 11.  In some situations the re-created migration route may travel along state routes that connect or run through the seat of a county as that populated place is probably the oldest settlement in the area. The use of water as a migration route is also likely.  For example, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries many families travelled west on the Ohio River as they moved on the new lands in Missouri or the Old Northwest Territory.  As such when applicable water routes have been included as the possible migration route.   

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During our research we have collected images and photographs that are of general interest to a particular family.  Some of them are presented on this website because we believe they tend to provide the reader with additional information which may aid in the understanding of our ancestors past lives.  We have images related to the following persons within our database with this surname.

 

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Researching the locations where our ancestors lived has provided us with valuable evidence needed to fill in the gaps in our family trees.  It has also led us to many interesting facts that enhance the overall picture of each family group.

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Locations of Our Direct Ancestors

 

The names of states and counties on the following list were derived from the known places where the Direct Ancestors in the “Ancestral Lineage” (see above) were born, married, and / or died.

COUNTRY

STATE

COUNTY / SUBDIVISION

UNITED KINGDOM

ENGLAND

Somerset / Wrington

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Locational distribution of Surname

Locational Distribution of This Surname

Knowing the geographical areas where the surname you are researching is clustered and distributed is an indispensable tool in deciding where to focus your research.  We believe that the “Public Profiler” website will open up to you a wide range of solutions which implement current research in spatial analysis.  This site provides an array of local spatial information tools useful to the genealogist. 

The information presented herein shows where the SMYTHES surname is distributed within North America as well as in United Kingdom the probable country of origin of this family.      Statistics show that there are approximately 0.18 persons per million of population with this surname, within the United Kingdom, and 0.07 persons per million of population within the United States.  The United Kingdom is found to be the country in the world where this surname is the second most highly clustered having approximately 0.18 persons per million of population.  The top region in the World where this surname is the most highly clustered is   the   Kentucky, USA with  0.89 persons per

NORTH AMERICA

UNITED KINGDOM

Smithes- Surname Dist. NA

Smithes- Surname Dist. UK

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million, and Manchester, England, United Kingdom is the top city where this surname is found.

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Resources which enhance our knowledge of the places inhabited by our ancestors are almost as important as their names. The LINK to the right will take you to Maps, Gazetteers,   and  other  helpful   resources 

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that will assist in discovering Ancestral Locations.  These web sites comprise only a small portion of what is available for researchers interested in learning more about where their ancestors lived.

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Origins of the Surname

An Introduction

to the Surname

Source/Meaning

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History of

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More About

Surnames

 

An Introduction to the Surname

     The practice of inherited family surnames began in England and France during the late part of the 11th century.   Surnames were first utilized in the Germanic region of central Europe during the second half of the 12th century.  The custom of taking on surnames began in the southern areas of Germany, and gradually spread northward during the Middle Ages.  It took about three hundred years for this tradition to apply to most families and become a constant part of one’s identity.        With the passing of generations and the movement of families from place to place many of the original identifying names were altered into some of the versions that we are familiar with today.  Over the centuries, most of our European ancestors accepted their surname as an unchangeable part of their lives.  Thus people rarely changed their surname.  Variations of most surnames were usually the result of an involuntary act such as when a government official wrote a name phonetically or made an error in transcription. 

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Map of European Languages

 

Research into the record of this SMYTHES family line indicates that the variations, meanings and history of this surname are most likely linked to that area of Europe where English linguistic traditions are commonly found. 

 

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Source(s) & Meaning(s) of the Surname

     Most of the modern family names throughout Great Britain have originated as a result of the following circumstances: patronym or matronym, names based on the name of one's father, mother or ancestor, (Johnson, Wilson). Each is a means of conveying lineage; occupation (i.e., Carpenter, Cooper, Brewer, Mason); habitational (Middleton, Sidney, or Ireland) or topographical (i.e. Hill, Brook, Forrest, Dale); nicknames (i.e., Moody Freeholder, Wise, Armstrong); status (i.e. Freeman, Bond, Knight); and acquired ornamental names that were simply made up.

     SMYTHES is an English occupational name, for a worker in metal, from the Middle English word of smith + the agent suffix -ies. The word Smith Came from the Old English word smið, probably a derivative of smitan ‘to strike, hammer’.  Another possible source is that "smite" referred to the occupation of being a warrior.

     Variations of the surname Smith such as Smythes remain very common. These include different spellings of the English term, and versions in other languages. There is some disagreement about the origins of the numerous variations of the name Smith. The addition of an "e" at the end of the name is sometimes considered an affectation, but may have arisen either as an attempt to spell "smithy" or as the Middle English adjectival form of "smith", which would have been used in surnames based on location rather than occupation (in other words, for someone living near or at the smithy).  Likewise, the replacement of the "i" with a "y" in "Smyth" or "Smythe" is also often considered an affectation but may have originally occurred because of the difficulty of reading blackletter text, where "Smith" might look like "Snuth" or "Simth".  Some variants (such as Smijth) were adopted by individuals for personal reasons, while others may have arisen independently or as offshoots from the 'Smith' root. Names such as Smither and Smithers may in some cases be variants of 'Smith' but in others independent surnames based on a meaning of 'light and active' attributed to smyther.  Additional derivatives include Smithman, Smithson and Smithfield. 

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History of the Surname

Surnames as we know them today were first assumed in Europe from the 11th to the 15th century. They were not in use in England or Scotland, before the Norman Conquest of 1066, and were first found in the Domesday Book of 1086. The employment in the use of a second name was a custom that was first introduced from the Normans who had adopted the custom just prior to this time.    Soon thereafter it became a mark of a generally higher socio-economic status and thus seen as disgraceful for a well-bred man to have only one name.  It was not until the middle of the 14th century that surnames became general practice among all people in the British Isles.

      Smith is a family name (surname) originating in England. It is the most prevalent surname in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States,[4] the second most common surname in Canada, and the fifth most common surname in Ireland. The surname Smith is particularly prevalent among those of English and Irish descent. The first recorded spelling of the family name, and probably the first surname recorded anywhere in the world, is that of Eceard Smid. This was dated 975 a.d., in the English Surname Register for County Durham, North East England.

     The SMYTHES variation of the surname is found in Somersetshire, England as exemplified by the armorial bearings, cited  in The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales  that appear to have been granted in 1602 to a Smythes or Symthies of the aforementioned shire. It is possible that this could be John Smythes (1551-1626), (see footnote in the “Family History” section of this webpage).   

     The Smithee name is most common in the Aberdeenshire area, and also throughout the Midlands and in East Anglia. Early records of the name mention Ecceard Smid, documented in the year 975. Alfword de Smith was recorded in County Somerset in the year 1100. Robert Smythyman appears in a charter in Somerset in the year 1200. Philip le Smethe, 1273 County Huntingdonshire. Marry de Smethard was recorded in 1285 in County Lancashire. Johannes Tagge Smyght, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379 and Henricus Smythman was recorded in the same document. Mathew Smuthard, appears in Lancashire in 1530

     The biographies of notable persons who share this surname or close variant spellings can be found at: Smith; Smithers; Smithee; Smyth; Smither; Smythe; and Smythies.

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­ More About Surname Meanings & Origins

British Surnames

Although the Domesday Book compiled by William the Conqueror required surnames, the use of them in the British Isles did not become fixed until the time period between 1250 and 1450.  The broad range of ethnic and linguistic roots for British surnames reflects the history of Britain as an oft-invaded land. These roots include, but are not limited to, Old English, Middle English, Old French, Old Norse, Irish, Gaelic, Celtic, Pictish, Welsh, Gaulish, Germanic, Latin, Greek and Hebrew.  Throughout the British Isles, there are basically five types of native surnames. Some surnames were derived from a man's occupation (Carpenter, Taylor, Brewer, Mason), a practice that was commonplace by the end of the 14th century.  Place names reflected a location of residence and were also commonly used (Hill, Brook, Forrest, Dale) as a basis for the surname, for reasons that can be easily understood.  Nicknames that stuck also became surnames.  About one-third of all surnames in the United Kingdom are patronymic in origin, and identified the first bearer of the name by his father (or grandfather in the case of some Irish names). When the coast of England was invaded by William The Conqueror in the year 1066, the Normans brought with them a store of French personal names, which soon, more or less, entirely replaced the traditional more varied Old English personal names, at least among the upper and middle classes. A century of so later, given names of the principal saints of the Christian church began to be used. It is from these two types of given name that the majority of the English patronymic surnames are derived and used to this day.  Acquired ornamental names were simply made up, and had no specific reflection on the first who bore the name. They simply sounded nice, or were made up as a means of identification, generally much later than most surnames were adopted.

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Variations of the surname

Variations of
the Surname

 

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Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to unfold and expand often leading to an overwhelming number of variants.  As such one can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames because in early times, spelling in general and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized.  Later on spellings would change with the branching and movement of families. 

Spelling variations of the family name include: Smith, Smithes, Smithee, Smyth, Smither, Smythe, Smiths, Smythe, Smythies and many more.

 

The complexity of researching records is compounded by the fact that in many cases an ancestors surname may also have been misspelled.  This is especially true when searching census documents.   The Soundex Indexing System was developed in an effort to assist with identifying spelling variations for a given surname.  Soundex is a method of indexing names in the 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 US Census, and can aid genealogists in their research. 

The Soundex Code for Smythes is S532. Other surnames sharing this Soundex Code are:  SANDGRUBER | SANDS | SANDUSKY | SANTIAGO | SCHANTZ | SCHMATJEN | SCHMIDTKE | SCHMITZ | SCHMUTZ | SHANDS | SHANTZ | SHONTZ | SINTES | SMITHSON | SMITHWICK | SMITS | SNIATKOWSKI | SNODGRASS | SNOOTS | SONNTAG.

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Armorial bearings, symbols and mottoes

Armorial Bearings, Mottoes & Symbols

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In the Middle Ages heraldry came into use as a practical matter. It originated in the devices used to distinguish the armored warriors in tournament and war, and was also placed on seals as marks of identity. As far as records show, true heraldry began in the middle of the 12th century, and appeared almost simultaneously in several countries of Western Europe.  In the British Isles the College of Arms, (founded in 1483), is the Royal corporation of heralds who record proved pedigrees and grant armorial bearings

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Descriptions of the

Armorial Bearings

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Gallery of Images

Smythies - Somerset

Figure 1

Smythe -Strangford copy 

Figure 2

Symthe - Scotland 1672

Figure 3

Smythe - Braco

Figure 4

Smythe - Durhan & Warwickshire

Figure 5

Smythe - Salop

Figure 6

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ARMORIAL BEARINGS

Descriptions of the Armorial Bearings

The associated armorial bearings for this surname and close variant spellings are recorded in Burke’s General Armoire and Rietstap’s Armorial General.  The additional information, presented below, is offered with regard to the armorial bearings depicted above:

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FIGURE 1: Smythes of London and Somerset

These armorial bearings were granted to George Smythes of  London on 9 March 1602. George Smythes was the son of William Symthes of the Court of Wyke, parish of Yatton of Somersetshire.  This William Smythe was the brother of George Smythes of Wrington, father of John Smythes of Wrington.   The coat-of-arms belonging to John Smythes contained a crescent indicating a second branch of the family but was otherwise the same as his cousin George Symthes.  The shield is silver with a blue chevron between three green oak leaves upon each a golden acorn*.  The crest features a deml arm in blue the hand is holding a branch of oak leaves with golden acorns.  *The acorn signifies antiquity and strength.

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FIGURE 2: Smythes of Kent, & Wilshire

These armorial bearings originated with in 1628 with Thomas Smythe (1599–1635), 1st Viscount Strangford of Westenhanger, Kent, England. Viscount Strangford was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. The title became extinct in 1869 at the death of Percy Ellen Algernon Frederick William Sydney Smythe, 8th Viscount Strangford (1825–1869).  The same coat-of-arms and crest was also utilized by Sir Thomas’s second and third sons. The second son resided at the Great Bounds Manor at Southborough, Kent. This branch ended with Sir Sydney Stafford Smythe, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, who died in 1773.  The third son, Sir Richard Smythe, 2nd Baronet, inhabited Leeds Castle in Kent. The arms features a blue shield containing a chevron (engrailed) between three gold lions* (passant).  The crest is a panther’s head that is collared and chained. The motto associated with these arms is “Virtus incendit vires.”  *The heraldic lion signifies, bravery, strength, ferocity, and valour.

The same arms belonged to a Smythe of Corsham, Wiltshire

who descended from John Smythe, Esq., from whose second son descend the Viscounts Strangford.  These armorial bearing featured a different crest that being a peacock's head* with a golden ducal crown* around its neck.

PEACOCK HEAD COUPED DUCALLY GORGED

  *The peacock represents, beauty, power, and knowledge and the ducal crown signifies royal or seigniorial authority; prestige.

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FIGURE 3: Smythe of Scotland

This coat-of-arms was granted to a Smythe of Scotland in 1672.  The silver shield contains a blue saltire between three blue crescents in chief and fess, and a blue dolphin* (erect) in the base. The crest shows a sword and pen disposed in saltire.  The motto of this Smythe is, “Marte et ingenio.”  * The dolphin represents, swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity, and love.

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FIGURE 4: Smythe of Perthshire, Scotland

This coat-of-arms was granted to a Smythe of Methven in Perthshire, Scotland.  The blue shield contains a burning gold cup between two chess rooks* of the same color.  The crest is a dolphin.  The motto of this Smythe is “Mediis tranquillus in undis.” *The heraldic meaning of a chess rook is, strategic thinking.

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FIGURE 5: Smythe of Durham, England

This coat-of-arms has been attributed to at least three Smythes of the same family line.  The first is Sir John Smythe, son of Sir Thomas Smythe, first governor of the East India Company.  Sir John Smythe resided at Eshe Hall in the shire of Durham, Acton Burnell in Shropshire, and Wooton Hall in WarwickshireThe motto of this Smythe was, “Regi semper fldelis.”  Another Smythe with the same arms was from Nunstainton, in Durham, and Langley, in ShropshireThe third a Smythe of Brambridge, in Hampshire.  These armorial bearing are described as having a black shield that contains three silver roses* each with a gold seed and green barbs.  The crest is of a A stag's head with a green wreath of laurel around its neck.  * A White or silver rose represents, love and faith; charm and innocence.

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FIGURE 6: Smythe of Shropshire, England

This coat-of-arms was bestowed upon a Smyth of Hilton, a place located near Bridgnorth, in Shropshire. The arms feature a black shield with a white bend between six white martlets.  The crest is the head of a buffalo*. *The buffalo signifies, valour, bravery, and generosity.

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MOTTO(ES)  

Motto(es) of this Surname

     A motto is a word or sentence usually written upon a scroll and generally placed below the shield, but sometimes, especially in Scotland, above the crest.    Many ancient mottoes were war-cries such as the Douglas motto of “Forward.”    Many mottoes refer to the name of the bearer, for example “cole regem” for Coleridge.   In general most mottoes convey a sentiment, hope, or determination, such as the Cotter motto “Dum spiro spero” where the meaning is “While I have breath I hope“.     Mottoes are often used by several successive generations, but may be changed at any time by the grantee. The languages most in use are Latin, French, and English.  Exceptions are seen in Scotland where they are often in the old Lowland dialect, and in Wales, often in the language of the principality.   

There are several mottoes attributed to SMITH, SMYTH or SMYTHE of Great Britain.  Many have been noted within the descriptions of the previous coats-of-arms.   For more information about mottoes associated with this surname or their translation see the LINKS below.

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Heraldic bearings

More about Heraldic Bearings

The art of designing, displaying, describing, and recording arms is called heraldry. The use of coats of arms by countries, states, provinces, towns and villages is called civic heraldry.   A Coat of Arms is defined as a group of emblems and figures (heraldic bearings) usually arranged on and around a shield and serving as the special insignia of some person, family, or institution.  Except for a few cases, there is really no such thing as a standard "coat of arms" for a surname.  A coat of arms, more properly called an armorial achievement, armorial bearings or often just arms for short, is a design usually granted only to a single person not to an entire family or to a particular surname.  Coats of arms are inheritable property, and they generally descend to male lineal descendents of the original arms grantee.  The rules and traditions regarding Coats of Arms vary from country to country. Therefore a Coat of Arms for an English family would differ from that of a German family even when the surname is the same. 

Some of the more prominent elements incorporated into a  coat of arms are :

Crest - The word crest is often mistakenly applied to a coat of arms.  The crest was a later development arising from the love of pageantry.  Initially the crest consisted of charges painted onto a ridge on top of the helmet.

Wreath or Torse – The torse is a twist of cloth or wreath underneath and part of a crest. Always shown as six twists, the first tincture being the tincture of the field, the second the tincture of the metal, and so on.

Mantling – The mantling is a drapery tied to the helmet above the shield. It forms a backdrop for the shield.

Helm or Helmet - The helmet or helm is situated above the shield and bears the torse and crest. The style of helmet displayed varies according to rank and social status, and these styles developed over time, in step with the development of actual military helmets.

Shield or Arms - The basis of all coats of arms.  At their simplest, arms consist of a shield with a plain field on which appears a geometrical shape or object.  The items appearing on the shield are known as charges.

Motto - The motto was originally a war cry, but later mottoes often expressed some worthy sentiment. It may appear at the top or bottom of a family coat of arms.

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