SMART
The surname Smart is of English origin and is traditionally associated with the British Isles.
Its roots lie in the Old English word smeart, meaning quick or clever, and it was originally used as a nickname for a person who was intelligent, sharp‑witted or astute.
In medieval times the name was applied as a descriptive surname to someone who was brisk or active, or in some instances as an occupational name for a person who performed general repairs or maintenance, such as a handyman. It is an example of a large group of early European surnames that emerged from the habitual use of nicknames reflecting personal qualities or occupations.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears as William Smert in the Subsidy Tax Rolls of Worcester in the year 1275. Another early instance is Lifwinus Smart, dated 1180 in the archives of Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, during the reign of King Henry the Eleventh of England.
In the early 17th century the surname is recorded in the English colonies of the New World. William Smart, aged 20, was among the earliest settlers who departed from the port of London aboard the ship Thomas and John bound for the colony of Virginia in June 1635. A contemporaneous church register notes the christening of Benjamin Smart, son of John and Martha Smart, on 6 October 1642 at St. Benet Fink in London.
The surname also appears in the variant form Smartman, further indicating its use as a personal identifier based on observed attributes.
In modern times the surname Smart is common in English‑speaking countries. It has survived as a hereditary family name that has been passed down through many generations.
Typical given names associated with the Smart surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- William
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jacqueline
- Jane
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Smart in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Smart are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Garibaldi.
There are approximately 25,696 people named Smart in the UK. That makes it the 315th most common surname in Britain. Around 395 in a million people in Britain are named Smart.
Surname type: Nickname
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Smart
- Jean Smart - American film, television, and stage actress
- Ninian Smart - Academic (1927 to 2001)
- Sarah Smart - Actress
- Amy Smart - American actress, model
- Kirby Smart - American football player and coach
- Patsy Smart - Actress (1918 to 1996)
- Carol Smart - Feminist sociologist and academic at the University of Manchester
- Christopher Smart - Poet, hymnwriter (1722 to 1771)
- Nigel Smart - Cryptographer
- J. J. C. Smart - Australian philosopher and academic (1920 to 2012)
- Allan Smart - Scottish football player
- Niki Smart - Designer
- Scott Smart - Motorcycle racer
- Paul Smart - Motorcycle racer
- Roger Smart - Football player
- Gary Smart - Football player
- Olivia Smart - Ice dancer
- David Smart - (1929 to 2007)
- Harry George Smart - Royal Air Force air marshal (1891 to 1963)
- Colin Smart - Rugby union player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.