Scotch-Irish-L Archives

From: "" <>
Subject: Re: [S-I] Question about Smith name
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:36:02 -0500

I recently learned that all of the border area between Scotland and England
consisted of a single people who spoke a pure ancient Saxon dialect until
the 19th century. That means among other things that people in the
northernmost counties of England did not speak what we know as English
before the 18th century.

The Saxon I1 Y DNA of my Smith line suggests they came from this region -
or south of it. They were Scotch Irish by the time they arrived in
Pennsylavnia.

I am wondering how far north the name Smith by that pronunciation and
spelling was common. Was it common in Northumbria, Cumbria and Durham?
Was it common at all in southern Scotland?

I'm also curious about the maiden name of my emigrant Smith's wife, who came
with him; Smyth or Smythe. I thought maybe it was the Saxon form until I
found out that was "Smid".

What variant forms of this name were common in the northern counties of
England, and in Scotland?

Yours,
Villandra

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