Surname Smyly - Meaning and Origin

Smyly: What does the surname Smyly mean?

The surname Smyly is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Smail', which means ‘son of the small one’. The name may have been given to refer to someone who was physically small or less significant.

The Smylys are believed to be descended from the Irish clans who were native to the province of Leinster in Ireland, particularly in Dublin and its surrounding areas. The family later spread to other parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

In some cases, the surname Smyly may have been adopted or given to someone with a cheerful disposition, deriving from the English word 'smile'. However, this interpretation is less likely given that the surname was largely found in Gaelic-speaking communities.

Like many other surnames, Smyly may have variations in spelling including Smiley, Smillie, Smylie among others. The meaning, however, remains the same.

Notable bearers of the name include Irish physician and philanthropist Sir Philip Crampton Smyly and Major League Baseball player Drew Smyly.

Smyly: Where does the name Smyly come from?

Smyly is an Irish surname originating from the disciples of St Moling and Mac Giolla Mo-Smyla, who had churches in the county of Wexford. Today, Smyly is most common in Ireland, especially in counties Wexford, Cork, Dublin, and Galway, as well as in parts of Northern Ireland.

Smyly is also found in the United Kingdom, with records of the surname indicating it was present in Britain as far back as the early 1200s. In more recent times, however, Smyly is far less common in Britain than it is in Ireland, with records indicating it is only present in small pockets in Scotland, England, and Wales.

It is also possible to trace Smyly as far as the United States, though the surname is much rarer in this country than it is in Europe. Immigration records from the early 1800s indicate that some members of the Smyly family were among the first settlers of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. According to the US census, the Smyly surname is also present in other states, including Illinois, Michigan, Arizona, and California.

Given the Irish origins of the surname, it is likely that the Smyly surname, in whatever form or spelling, will continue to be present in Ireland far into the future, as well as in communities spread across the United Kingdom and the United States.

Variations of the surname Smyly

The surname Smyly originates from Ireland and is generally found in counties Ulster, Cork, and Down. It is an anglicised version of the Olde Irish surname O'Smighil or O'Smaighil, which stems from the Gaelic MacMaolghuil.

The most common spelling variation of the name is Smylie. Common misspellings and alternate spellings include Smiley, Smilie, Smellig, Smillie, Smill, Smillye, Smillay, Smilay, Smilley, Smayley, Smaulay, Smoleigh, and Smuelay.

There are several other surname variations which are related to the Smyly family. They include MacGhill, MacCumhaill, MacSmeall, MacSmuile, and Smeely.

The surname can be found in other countries such as England, Scotland, USA, Canada, and Australia. Surname variations abroad include Smalley, Smells, Smiley, and Small.

In addition, variants of O'Smighil or O'Smaighil include Ua Smaghail, Ua Saighill, Ua Smail, Ua Smaol, Ua Smaghlaigh, O Shinaghly, and Ua Smalgthlagh.

Overall, the surname Smyly has a variety of versions and spellings. Whether in Ireland or abroad, the surname continues to be a prominent part of the Irish heritage.

Famous people with the name Smyly

• Drew Smyly: American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB).
• Matt Smyly: Former American professional basketball player who played for the NBA and in Europe.
• Mason Smyly: American film and television composer and producer.
• Lindsay P. Smyly: American actor and radio personality.
• Johnny Smyly: Former Scottish professional footballer.
• Charles R. Smyly: American banker, business executive and lawyer.
• Terence Smyly: Irish playwright, television writer and winner of a Bafta Award.
• John Smyly: English cricketer and former captain of Derbyshire CCC.
• Andrew Smyly: Former Northern Irish footballer.
• Jason Smyly: Former professional American Football player.
• Scott Smyly: Former racecar driver and owner of Smyly Motorsports.
• Bob Smyly: American politician and the Utah State Senator representing the 6th district.
• Joe Smyly: American college football player for the Florida Gators.
• Barry Smyly: English football coach and former player.

Other surnames

SmyleySmylie