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Clan Smith (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Smith

Clan Crest: An anchor, Proper

Clan Motto: Hold Fast

Origin of Name: Occupational

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Smith Clan History

A Smith family is said to have lived in the parish of Stathblane at Craigend for over 400 years. They were initially tenants but later became lairds of the land. When surnames became popular, the family apparently took theirs from their occupation: smiths and armourers for the Barony of Mugdock.

The surname is written as Faber and Ferro in Latin documents. In the records, there is an Adam Faber, who held a croft on the lands of Swaynystoun between 1221 and 1234, and in, or around, 1250, William Faber de Karel was a witness.

Around 1199, Robert the smith (ferro) witnessed a charter signed by John, Bishop of Dunkeld.

In 1274, William the Smith was a juror in an inquest held at Traquair, and in 1398, Alan Smyth was a 'Gustatores Ceruisie' in Aberdeen, and a Patrick Smyth of Scotland was to be held in custody in the Tower of London in 1401. A John Smyth was recorded as a tenant of the 'Fabrile [Smithy] de Inveryalder' in 1539, and Elizabeth Smythe and Margaret Smythe of Greinholme were recorded as Alexander Smythe's heir portioners in 1621.

Professor Alexander Smith, born in Edinburgh in 1865, was the head of the Chemistry department at Columbia University in New York City.

This surname has also been recorded as Smeayth, Smyith, Smyithe, and Smytht.

Smith Places & People

Smith Locations

Methven Castle, near Perth. From 1664 until 1923, it was owned by the Smythes of Braco.

Mugdock Castle in Dunbartonshire. J Guthrie Smith once owned this property.

Smith Tartans

Smith, the Elder

Smith Contemporary

Smith Crest & Coats of Arms

Smith Clan Symbol:

Proper description of the crest: an anchor

Coats of Arms of Smith:

Douglas H Smith, Baron of Duncrub.

Arms: Vert, a barrulet indented between six acorns Or in chief and a stag lodged Argent attired of the Second in base.

Crest: An osprey with its proper wings raised and addorsed, grasping a salmon in its dextor talon.

NIL SINE HONORE is the motto.

A dragon passant is the badge. Gules within an oak-fruited chaplet Proper.

Standard: Four tracts Vert and Or, split at the end, Azure a St Andrews Cross Argent in the hoist, with the motto in letters Sable upon two transverse bands Argent, the badge depicted in the first and third compartments, and the crest in the centre compartment.

Granted: 31 March 2004 in the Lord Lyon's Court.

The arms are important to the owner and his family.

Sir John Smith, Professor FBA CBE QC LLD

Armorial Representations

The Cross Moline Ermine is a hybrid of the Cambridge University Arms' Cross Ermine and the University of Nottingham Arms' Cross Moline. It also refers to the Millrinds in Lincoln's Inn's Arms.

The Crescents and Estoiles are taken from the University's Arms and the City of Nottingham's Crest.

The open book is similar to those found in the Arms of Nottingham and Cambridge Universities.

The Arms of Lincoln's Inn inspired the Millrind in the Crest. The Downing College Griffin (holding the Millrind) is also included in the Crest.

Ad Meliorem Legem is the Latin motto.