Small Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Small Name Meaning: Derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'smael' meaning 'small' or 'thin'.

A nickname given to someone small in stature or slim, may have also been used to describe someone who was the opposite to these.

Discover how your Small ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Small Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Small family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 886
Agricultural Labourer 145
Labourer 145
Domestic Servant 65
General Servant 62
Dress Maker 42
Carpenter 34
Laundress 31
Lace Maker 25
Coal Miner 23
Wife Of Above 22
Servant 21
Farm Labourer 21
House Keeper 20
Gardener 17
Tailor 17
Miner 16
Farm Servant 15
Wife 14
General Servant Domestic 14
No Occupation 14
Dressmaker 13
Blacksmith 13
Painter 13
Cook 13

Small Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Small 100% 45,460
2 Smellie 57% 1,785
3 Smell 80% 1,393
4 Samuell 57% 797
5 Seamell 57% 707
6 Smillie 57% 274

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The surname Small is the most popular version of all its varients

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