Smith

A smith was an individual who undertakes a trade involving the construction of metal objects.

A smith was a common trade or occupation and would contribute to the prevalence of the surname Smith.

Examples of smiths include:

• Arrowsmith - making heads for arrows
• Armoursmith - making armour
• Blacksmith - working in iron and steel making common objects such as knives, nails, tools, hinges. etc.
• Goldsmith - working in gold and silver
• Locksmith - making locks
• Swordsmith - making swords

The smith was an integral part of Euro-medieval life, and various legends grew up, regarding, among others, Wayland (whose name was attached to a prehistoric barrow grave on the Wiltshire Downs in southern England). Wayland originated with the Saxons, but he became seen, rather than as a god, as an elf, who could therefore be hired to do work for mortals. So a horse that needed shoeing would be left at a ritual site, with one or two copper pennies as payment, overnight, in the faith that, by morning the necessary work would have been done.