Explore the Family Name Smead
The meaning of Smead
English: 1. occupational name from Middle English smeth(e) ‘smith’, a phonetic variant of Smith 1 that was widespread in medieval England, especially in southeastern and southwestern counties. 2. 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. 3. occasionally perhaps a topographic name for someone who lived on or by a level place, from Middle English smethe ‘flat or open place, level’. 4. 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).
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Smead in the United States?
According to Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname Smead saw a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, Smead was ranked 17884 in terms of popularity, with a count of 1443 individuals carrying the name. By 2010, the rank had dropped to 19379, and the count also descended slightly to 1395, marking a decline of 3.33%. The proportion of people with the Smead surname per 100,000 population decreased from 0.53 to 0.47 during this decade, indicating an overall drop in popularity.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #17,884 | #19,379 | -8.36% |
| Count | 1,443 | 1,395 | -3.33% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.53 | 0.47 | -11.32% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Smead
In regards to ethnicity, based on the Decennial U.S. Census, there have been some shifts among those bearing the surname Smead between 2000 and 2010. While Whites continue to make up the largest portion of individuals with this surname, their proportion decreased slightly from 91.82% to 90.82%. Meanwhile, the percentage of Smead identifiers who are Asian/Pacific Islander increased significantly from 0.42% to 1.08%, and those identifying as Hispanic rose from 1.87% to 3.08%. The proportion of individuals of two or more ethnicities increased modestly from 2.49% to 3.23%. Notably, the proportions of those identifying as Black and American Indian and Alaskan Native both decreased, from 2.70% to 1.43% and 0.69% to 0.36% respectively.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 91.82% | 90.82% | -1.09% |
| Two or More Races | 2.49% | 3.23% | 29.72% |
| Hispanic | 1.87% | 3.08% | 64.71% |
| Black | 2.7% | 1.43% | -47.04% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.42% | 1.08% | 157.14% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.69% | 0.36% | -47.83% |