NameCensus.

UK surname

Smail

A Scottish and English occupational surname referring to a person who worked as a maker of small goods.

In the 1881 census there were 607 people recorded with the Smail surname, ranking it #5,775 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 619, ranked #8,506, down from #5,775 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kelso, London parishes and Selkirk. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, Bow Farm, Barrs Cottage, Cowdenknowes and Overton and Pitlochry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Smail is 709 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.0%.

1881 census count

607

Ranked #5,775

Modern count

619

2016, ranked #8,506

Peak year

1901

709 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Smail had 607 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,775 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 619 in 2016, ranked #8,506.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 709 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Smail surname distribution map

The map shows where the Smail surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Smail surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Smail over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 383 #6,247
1861 historical 462 #5,621
1881 historical 607 #5,775
1891 historical 634 #6,101
1901 historical 709 #6,223
1911 historical 271 #12,237
1997 modern 568 #8,469
1998 modern 580 #8,575
1999 modern 580 #8,632
2000 modern 590 #8,514
2001 modern 574 #8,539
2002 modern 581 #8,630
2003 modern 565 #8,665
2004 modern 577 #8,569
2005 modern 577 #8,506
2006 modern 580 #8,497
2007 modern 578 #8,595
2008 modern 591 #8,512
2009 modern 611 #8,478
2010 modern 625 #8,512
2011 modern 588 #8,825
2012 modern 590 #8,715
2013 modern 603 #8,713
2014 modern 611 #8,681
2015 modern 612 #8,606
2016 modern 619 #8,506

Geography

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Where Smails are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kelso, London parishes, Selkirk, Borthwick and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, Bow Farm, Barrs Cottage, Cowdenknowes and Overton, Pitlochry, Kelso South and Derbyshire Dales. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Kelso Roxburgh
2 London parishes London 3
3 Selkirk Selkirk
4 Borthwick Edinburgh
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 034 Sunderland
2 Bow Farm, Barrs Cottage, Cowdenknowes and Overton Inverclyde
3 Pitlochry Perth and Kinross
4 Kelso South Scottish Borders
5 Derbyshire Dales 008 Derbyshire Dales

Forenames

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First names often paired with Smail

These lists show first names that appear often with the Smail surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Smail

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Smail, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Smail surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Smail household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Smail is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Smail is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Smail falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Smail is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Smail, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Smail

The surname SMAIL is of Scottish origin, with roots tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "smael," meaning "slender" or "small." This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a descriptive nickname for a person of slight build.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which document those who swore fealty to King Edward I of England. In this historical record, the name appears as "Smale," reflecting an earlier spelling variation.

During the 14th century, the name SMAIL began to appear in various Scottish records and charters, indicating its widespread use across the region. For instance, a John Smale is mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1327, and a William Smale is documented in the Bute Charters of 1390.

The name also has connections to certain place names, such as Smail Burn, a stream located in the Scottish Borders region. This association suggests that the surname may have originated from a particular location or geographic feature.

Notable individuals bearing the SMAIL surname include:

1. John Smail (1795-1867), a Scottish agriculturist and writer who authored several works on farming practices. 2. Henry Smail (1829-1906), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. 3. Robert Smail (1833-1909), a Scottish-born American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Smail Watch Case Company in Brooklyn, New York. 4. Jessie Smail (1856-1935), a Scottish painter and member of the Glasgow Girls, a collective of female artists from the late 19th century. 5. Thomas Smail (1890-1969), a Scottish minister and theologian known for his works on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Christian spirituality.

Throughout its history, the SMAIL surname has been found in various spellings, including Smale, Smaille, and Smeal, reflecting regional variations and language changes over time. Despite these variations, the name's Scottish origins and connection to descriptive characteristics or place names have remained consistent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Smail families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Smail surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Midlothian leads with 159 Smails recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.38x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 159 21.38x
Roxburghshire 62 61.67x
Selkirkshire 55 109.54x
Peeblesshire 38 145.54x
East Lothian 33 44.89x
Perthshire 26 10.44x
Berwickshire 25 37.20x
Northumberland 21 2.54x
Kent 20 1.06x
Lanarkshire 20 1.11x
Middlesex 20 0.36x
Lancashire 14 0.21x
Fife 13 3.96x
Dumfriesshire 10 8.16x
Cheshire 8 0.65x
Gloucestershire 6 0.55x
Bedfordshire 5 1.74x
Cumberland 5 1.05x
Durham 5 0.30x
Warwickshire 5 0.36x
Surrey 4 0.15x
Denbighshire 3 1.43x
Worcestershire 3 0.41x
Angus 2 0.39x
Dunbartonshire 2 1.34x
Sussex 2 0.21x
Devon 1 0.09x
Northamptonshire 1 0.19x
Staffordshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 68 Smails recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.73x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 68 22.73x
Innerleithen 32 461.76x
Galashiels 22 118.53x
Jedburgh 19 192.89x
Kelso 16 159.68x
Penicuik 16 158.42x
Selkirk 16 113.07x
Melrose 13 102.85x
South Leith 13 15.54x
Borthwick 12 361.45x
Kirkcaldy 12 73.62x
Ashford 10 54.23x
Edinburgh Canongate 10 52.85x
St Pancras London 10 2.24x
Blairgowrie 9 91.37x
Coldstream 9 185.19x
Dunbar 9 87.29x
Birkenhead 8 8.19x
Culter 8 733.95x
Lasswade 8 47.06x
Lower Darwen 8 92.59x
Pencaitland 8 380.95x
Perth West Church 8 67.68x
Rochester St Nicholas 8 135.82x
Foulden 7 933.33x
Hawick 7 31.11x
Currie 6 131.87x
Down Hatherley 6 1621.62x
Ednam 6 512.82x
Glenholm 6 1333.33x
St George In East 6 15.89x
Ancroft 5 172.41x
Barony 5 1.10x
Bedford St Peter 5 67.02x
Earlston 5 148.81x
Glencorse 5 174.83x
Govan 5 1.13x
Hulme 5 3.64x
Humbie 5 289.02x
Linton 5 476.19x
Perth East Church 5 21.29x
Westoe 5 5.34x
Alston 4 45.40x
Berwick Upon Tweed 4 22.86x
Edinburgh St Andrews 4 65.15x
Hoddam 4 135.59x
Lochmaben 4 74.49x
Tynemouth 4 9.04x
Yarrow 4 327.87x
Athelstaneford 3 206.90x
Coventry St Michael 3 6.67x
Crailing 3 245.90x
Dirleton 3 103.81x
Duddo 3 882.35x
Eccles 3 102.04x
Edinburgh Newington 3 225.56x
Great Malvern 3 19.84x
Lambeth 3 0.62x
Wrexham Abbot 3 56.93x
Berwick North 2 38.84x
Biggar 2 49.26x
Coventry Holy Trinity 2 4.79x
Doddington 2 350.88x
Dunblane 2 33.56x
Edinburgh Lady Yesters 2 38.84x
Edinburgh St Stephens 2 13.66x
Hammersmith London 2 1.46x
Hastings St Clement 2 22.70x
Kirknewton East 2 64.31x
Liff Benvie 2 2.56x
North Leith 2 5.81x
Penpont 2 88.89x
Plumstead 2 3.17x
St George Hanover 2 2.76x
Corstorphine 1 24.39x
Hobkirk 1 78.74x
Longhurst 1 62.50x
Melrose 1 11.51x
Southdean 1 72.46x
Whitehaven 1 3.93x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Smail surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 7
Jane 5
Mary 5
Alice 3
Isabella 3
Margaret 3
Catherine 2
Eliza 2
Esther 2
Jessie 2
Sarah 2
Susan 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Barbara 1
Christine 1
Elizh. 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Euphemia 1
Eva 1
Georgina 1
Grace 1
Janet 1
Johanna 1
Margt. 1
Prudence 1
Rachael 1
Rosina 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Smail surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
James 12
William 9
George 6
Thomas 5
David 4
Henry 4
John 3
Archibald 2
Edward 2
G. 2
Adam 1
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Malcolm 1
Robt. 1
Stewart 1
Tom 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Smail surname: questions and answers

How common was the Smail surname in 1881?

In 1881, 607 people were recorded with the Smail surname. That placed it at #5,775 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Smail surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 619 in 2016. That gives Smail a modern rank of #8,506.

What does the Smail surname mean?

A Scottish and English occupational surname referring to a person who worked as a maker of small goods.

What does the Smail map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Smail bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.