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 1,150
Agricultural Labourer 117
General Labourer 111
Coal Miner 69
Domestic Servant 62
Labourer 62
Dress Maker 59
General Servant 54
Laundress 46
Farmer 42
Living On Own Means 40
Carpenter 38
General Servant Domestic 33
Farm Labourer 33
Living On Her Own Means 30
Gardener 28
Dressmaker 27
Brick Layer 25
Farm Servant 24
General Domestic Servant 24
Clerk 24
Grocer 23
Blacksmith 22
House Keeper 21
Tailoress 18

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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