Smead Family History

English:: occupational name from Middle English smeth(e) ‘smith’ a phonetic variant of Smith 1 that was widespread in medieval England especially in south-eastern and south-western counties. topographic occupational and habitational name from Middle English smethe ‘smithy forge’ (Old English smethe) a side form of Smith 2 for someone who lived and worked at a blacksmith's or who lived in or came from a place so named such as Smeeth (Kent) or Smeed Farm in Hastingleigh (Kent). Compare the synonymous Smithey . occasionally perhaps a topographic name for someone who lived on or by a level place from Middle English smethe ‘flat or open place level’. occasionally perhaps a nickname for someone with smooth skin or hair or someone with a calm or gentle manner from Middle English smethe ‘smooth calm gentle’ (Old English smethe).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022