Surname Smelly - Meaning and Origin

Smelly: What does the surname Smelly mean?

The surname or last name "Smelly" does not have a widely known or accepted meaning due to its unusual and rare usage. It likely originated as a nickname, teasing, or ridicule due to certain characteristics or behaviors of an individual that has been passed down the generations as a last name. Most surnames originated from professions, location, or personal traits. The name "Smelly" might have been associated with those working in unpleasant odour settings, like tanners or garbage collectors, similar to how Smith came from 'blacksmith.' As a point of note, Etymology, the study of names' origins and meanings, can often be speculative, given the long spans of time and cultural changes involved. Therefore, it is important to bear in mind that the exact origin and meaning of the surname "Smelly" might not be definable with absolute certainty. Worth mentioning that it's possible that the current spelling is a variation of an original name that sounded similar but had a different meaning.

Smelly: Where does the name Smelly come from?

The last name Smelly does not appear to be particularly common today. It is not found in the Social Security Administration’s list of the 1,000 most popular surnames, nor does it appear in the top 5,000 surnames of various other resources such as Forebears.

The origin of the last name Smelly is documented in several reference works. The OED cites an entry in the charter rolls of Normandy from 1299 in which one “Robertus Smeli” was listed as a chaplain of St. Omer. A book about English surnames from 1538 mentions several uses of the last name Smelly in medieval English documents.

An analysis of the geographical distribution of the name Smelly reveals that it is found more frequently in certain parts of the world. There is a high concentration of people with the last name Smelly in southern Italy, possibly indicating a connection with the use of the surname in medieval Italy. It is also particularly common in the Netherlands, which may perhaps reflect the fact that it is an old Dutch name.

So it appears that although the last name Smelly has a long and documented history, it is not a particularly common name today, at least not in English-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Smelly

The surname Smelly can have many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variations are "Smalley", "Smallay", "Smally", "Smallee", "Smaellie", "Smalleye", and "Smelley". However, there are many more spelling variations that are less commonly used.

The surname Smelly is of Norman origin and is derived from the medieval name Smylye, which was a variant of the personal name Smith. It is likely derived from the Old French word “smeilie,” which means “little Smith” or “skilled smith.” The name eventually changed to the more modern variants which are referenced above.

The surname Smelley may have various derivatives from its original spelling, such as Smalling, Smalleyarc, Smalleyard, Smalledge, Smalleyes and Smalleye. It can also be found in other derivatives such as Smellen, Smelley, Smellan, Smelleyer, Smelleyest, and Smellinger. It is also sometimes found as Smelleyfield, Smellywood, Smellyorff, Smellyard, and Smellymarsh.

Furthermore, the surname Smelly is associated with various locations across the world. In France, it is often found in the form of Smellyeur, Smellecourt, Smellemont, Smelleyer, Smellefort, Smelleville, Smelleyere, Smelleyon, Smelleyoux, and Smelleyobouchon. In England, the spelling is often seen as Smalley or Smellie. In Scotland, the spelling of the surname can be found as Smally or Smalley. In Ireland, it is usually seen spelled as Smell Pot or Smelley.

In conclusion, the surname Smelly is very varied, and it has various derivatives, spellings, and surnames that are of the same origin. Whether your last name is Smally, Smalley, Smelley, Smalleye, or Smell Pot, it is likely that the origin is the same.

Famous people with the name Smelly

• Martin Smelly: he is a critically acclaimed actor who is best known for his role in the movie Enemy Mine.
• Pierce Smelly: he is a professional tennis player who has been ranked as high as 17 in the world.
• John Smelly: he is an Olympic medal-winning swimmer who won two bronze medals in the 1972 Munich Olympics.
• Frank Smelly: he is a Grammy-winning country and western musician who has released several studio albums.
• Richard Smelly: he is a renowned chef and restaurateur who is the head chef of Five Star Cuisine.
• David Smelly: he is a jazz musician who is the leader of the band ‘Smelltones’.
• Elizabeth Smelly: she is a critically acclaimed author who is best known for her novel ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’.
• Eric Smelly: he is an avant-garde artist who is the founder of the art collective ‘Smellism’.
• Scott Smelly: he is a professional basketball player who plays for the Detroit Pistons.
• Rebecca Smelly: she is an award-winning filmmaker and director who has directed the documentary ‘The Haunting of Clover Hill’.

Other surnames

SmelleySmellieSmellser