The Arrowsmith Family History

What Does the Arrowsmith Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Arrowsmith, of English origin, is derived from the Old English words ‘arwe’ and ‘smi,’ which denote a craftsman specializing in the production of iron arrowheads. This surname exhibits various spelling forms, including Arwesmyth, Aruesmith, Arrowsmyth, Harrowsmith, and Arrowsmithe. Individuals bearing the Arrowsmith surname have been found throughout nearly every region of England, with particularly notable concentrations in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Durham. Additionally, a significant number resided in the central and southern regions of Wales. In Scotland, the counties of Lanarkshire and Midlothian were home to larger populations of those with the Arrowsmith name. In the United States, Arrowsmiths predominantly inhabit states such as New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Utah, Washington, California, Michigan, and Ohio. Noteworthy figures associated with this surname include John Arrowsmith, a prominent mapmaker and publisher in 19th-century England, as well as Sir Edwin P. Arrowsmith, who served as the English Commander of the Falkland Islands.