NAISMITH
Naismith
Origin: Naismith is a Scottish surname, derived from the Old English næss, meaning 'headland', and smyth, meaning 'blacksmith'. The name suggests a person with Scottish ancestry whose ancestors were associated with the trade of a blacksmith or who lived near a headland.
History: The name Naismith is of ancient origin, dating back to at least the 12th century in Scotland. The Naismith clan has historically been associated with regions such as Lanarkshire, Stirlingshire, and Perthshire.
Notable Figures:
- James Naismith (1861-1939): A Canadian physical educator, physician, and the inventor of the game of basketball. Born in Canada to Scottish immigrants, James Naismith's creation of basketball has had a lasting impact on sports around the world.
- David Naismith (1894-1951): A Scottish footballer who played as a forward for clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United, and Scotland national team.
- Russell Naismith (b. 1975): A contemporary Scottish artist known for his abstract geometric paintings and sculptures.
Variants: Variants of the Naismith surname include Naysmith, Neismith, Naysmyth, and Naysmythe.
Occurrences: The surname Naismith is relatively uncommon, with most individuals bearing this name having Scottish heritage. Naismiths can be found in Scotland, Canada, the United States, and other places where Scottish migrants settled.
Coat of Arms: The Naismith family coat of arms features traditional symbols such as a blacksmith's hammer and an anvil, representing the ancestral occupation, and a headland to symbolise the geographic origin of the name.
References:
- Black, George F. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946.
- Reaney, P.H., and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.
Naismith remains a proud Scottish surname with a rich history and notable figures associated with it.
There are approximately 1,323 people named Naismith in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,919th most common surname in Britain. Around 20 in a million people in Britain are named Naismith.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrew
- David
- Gavin
- George
- Ian
- James
- John
- Robert
- Scott
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Ann
- Carol
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Janet
- Jean
- Lesley
- Linda
- Margaret
- Marjory
- Mary
- Michelle
- Rebecca
- Sarah