Smith coat of arms and family history

Smith coat of arms and family history: "It is difficult to attempt to chronicle such a common name as Smith. Smith [and its variants] is easily the most common surname in Britain and figures in the top ten of surnames in Ireland in various polls over many centuries, being also number one in Ulster. The name, of course, is occupational and may derive from any worker in metal but most commonly from blacksmith, armourer or farrier. Prior to the invention of mechanised travel, the horse was the most important method of carriage for personal, trade and military purposes and wherever there were horses there had to be a 'smith'. It is not surprising therefore that the trade gave rise to a multitude of surnames which arose independently all across the English speaking world and indeed further afield. At the outset it is important to mention that the spelling of the name as Smith, Smyth, Smithe, Smythe, etc. is of little historical significance. The use of 'i' and 'y' and the presence or absence of the terminal 'e' merely reflect the writing styles of the day."