SMILLIE
Smillie is a surname of Scottish origin which derives from the Gaelic word smal, meaning “smooth” or “peaceful.” The name is traditionally regarded as descriptive, having been bestowed as a nickname on a person noted for a calm or gentle nature.
In addition to its Gaelic roots, the surname is known to have a dialectal variant that is associated with the place name Smalley, situated in Derbyshire, England. The early Scottish record of the form Ricardus Smaley appears in the Glasgow church registers between c. 1280 and 1290, suggesting that the name may have been introduced into Scotland by an English migrant.
The placename Smalley itself can be analysed as a compound of Old English elements smael (pre‑7th Century), meaning “narrow,” and leah, meaning a “grove” or “clearing in a wood.” This etymology indicates that the place was originally a narrow wooded area and that the surname may have been adopted by occupants or visitors of that location.
Another derivation of Smillie points to a medieval nickname for a cheerful individual, taking from Middle-english smile, meaning a smiling or grin; this interpretation aligns with the alternative spelling Smiley.
The first documented spelling of the family name that is held in contemporary records is that of Thomas Smelie, dated to the year 1612 in Glasgow, during the reign of King James VI of Scotland and William III of England (1603–1625). A notable marriage record, that of David Smillie and Elizabeth Rankine, was entered at Cadder, Lanarkshire, on 23 August 1755.
In modern times, the surname remains relatively uncommon. It is primarily found in Scotland and in communities that are part of the Scottish diaspora, including parts of England, the United States, Canada and Australia.
Typical given names associated with the Smillie surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Peter
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elaine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jane
- Karen
- Laura
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Smilie
- Smiley
- Smily
- Smellie
- Smallie
- Smilley
- Smyley
- Cemal
- Cemil
- Cimelli
- Samal
- Samala
- Samali
- Samel
- Samela
- Samele
- Samil
- Samila
- Samli
- Sammel
- Sammell
- Sammuel
- Samoila
- Samol
- Samouel
- Samouelle
- Samual
- Samuel
- Samuell
- Samul
- Samule
- Seamell
- Seammel
- Seammell
- Semal
- Semel
- Semell
- Semilia
- Semla
- Semle
- Semmel
- Semmell
- Semuel
- Simal
- Simel
- Simela
- Simell
- Simeoli
- Simioli
- Simla
- Simlo
- Simmel
- Simmell
- Simmill
- Simula
- Smaali
- Smail
- Smaile
- Smaili
- Smailie
- Smaill
- Smaillie
- Smal
- Smale
- Small
- Smalle
- Smauel
- Smeal
- Smeale
- Smeall
- Smeele
- Smel
- Smela
- Smele
- Smell
- Smelue
- Smiel
- Smila
- Smile
- Smill
- Smille
- Smilling
- Smol
- Smola
- Smole
- Smoll
- Smolle
- Smul
- Smyl
- Smyle
- Smylie
- Smyllie
- Smyly
- Somal
- Somel
- Somlai
- Somlo
- Sommella
- Soomal
- Soumal
- Sumal
- Sumel
- Sumila
- Sumile
- Summall
- Summel
- Suomela
- Szmul
- Szumilo
- Szymala
- Szymula
- Zamal
- Zameel
- Zamel
- Zamil
- Zemel
- Zemla
- Zemmel
- Zumla
- Zymela
- Zymla
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Smillie in...
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There are approximately 2,907 people named Smillie in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,064th most common surname in Britain. Around 45 in a million people in Britain are named Smillie.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Smillie
- Carol Smillie - Scottish television presenter
- Robert Smillie - Politician (1857 to 1940)
- Neil Smillie - Football player and manager
- Andy Smillie - Football player
- Ron Smillie - Football player (1933 to 2005)
- Ryan Smillie - Football player
- Thomas Smillie - American photographer, the Smithsonian’s first official photographer and first photography curator (1843 to 1917)
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.