Small

Meaning and origin

The last name Small, an English surname, originated as a descriptive name derived from the Middle English word "smal," which means "little" or "not large." It was commonly used to denote a person of small stature or someone who was humble in nature. The surname Small can be traced back to the 13th century, and variations such as Smales or Smalle can also be found in historical records.

The longer story

The last name Small is of English origin and is a descriptive name derived from the Middle English word "smal" meaning "little" or "not big." It is one of the numerous surnames that developed from nicknames which were often based on physical characteristics or personal attributes.

Based on historical records and genealogical research, the name Small has been in use as a surname since at least the 13th century. It can be found in various forms, such as Smalle, Smaull, or Smalman, indicating regional or dialectal variations.

The persistence and widespread distribution of the surname Small suggest that it may have originated independently in different regions. This is supported by the fact that the word "small" has Old English roots and similar variations of the name exist in other Germanic languages, such as the Dutch name "Klein." However, further research is needed to definitively establish the precise origins of the name Small and its various forms.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.