Coat of Arms & Family Crests Store
  Naismith Coat of Arms / Naismith Family CrestThe associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. Registered at Posso, County Peebles in 1706. (Nasmith). The surname of NAISMITH was an occupational name 'a maker and seller of nails'. This was a familiar entry in early medieval records. The name has many variant spellings which include NEASMITH and NESMITH. Early records mention James NASMITE, who was documented in County Yorkshire, 1273. It was not until the 10th century that modern hereditary surnames first developed, and the use of fixed names spread, first to France, and then England, then to Germany and all of Europe. In these parts of Europe, the individual man was becoming more important, commerce was increasing and the exact identification of each man was becoming a necessity. Even today however, the Church does not recognise surnames. Baptisms and marriages are performed through use of the Christian name alone. Thus hereditary names as we know them today developed gradually during the 11th to the 15th century in the various European countries. Later instances of the name include James NASMITH, who was the sheriff of Norwich in the year 1734 and James NASMITH and Mary Barthol were married at St. George's Chapel, Mayfair, London in the year 1745. Ann, daughter of Alexander NAESMITH was baptised at St. James's, Clerkenwell, London in the year 1751. The small villages of Europe, or royal and noble households, even large religious dwellings and monasteries, gave rise to many family names, which reflected the occupation or profession of the original bearer of the name. Following the Crusades in Europe in the 11th 12th and 13th centuries a need was felt for an additional name. This was recognized by those of gentle birth, who realised that it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. |
Orders over $90 qualify for Free Shipping within the U.S. |
