RootsChat.Com
Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => East Lothian (Haddingtonshire) => Topic started by: aussie researcher on Friday 26 February 10 12:04 GMT (UK)
-
Hi,
My middle name is Smollett, I'm trying to find the possible origin of this name.
I know it has been handed down through the generations the furthermost I can trace it back is to Smollett Henderson who is my 3rd great grand Aunt. She was born in 1800 in East Lothian, Scotland and died in 1880.
I'm wondering if anyone else has come across this first name and may know something about it.
As a child I hated my middle name but since getting older now am pleased that I have it just a shame I didn't pass it on to my children.
Any help would be fantastic.
Cheers
Anita
Aussie Researcher
-
Anita, the Smollet's were landowners on Loch Lomond-side, they had connections with Dumbarton, Tobias Smallet was murdered by the Macgregors in 1604, they were buddiesof the Colquhoun's and , not above a bit of illegality themselves. Tobias Smollet the author is one of them, latterly they were known as the Telfer Smollet's, I used to work with an old guy who was batman to Telfer Smollet, probably the H.L.I. One John Smollet wea a Sheriff in the Lennox in 1513.....Skoosh.
-
Thanks SKoosh,
I knew of Tobias Smollett, but the other is most interesting.
I wonder why they would have used the name as a girls christian name?
All those in my family and there are about 10 of us that I know are all females.
My search isn't over yet!!!
Cheers
Aussie Researcher
-
A.R it was/is common in Scotland to give boys a parent,grandparent's surname for a first name, I've come across several examples of girls called Lindsay/Hunter/Leslie so the first so called must have been honoured in place of a brother. I suspect that Smollett, once it got into the family, stuck there. I think the Smollets, had the lands of Bonhill after the Reformation, the family home was Cameron House, now a swanky hotel, one of the family was notorious for stealing livestock from drovers, the family history is told Irving's "Account of the Family of Smollett of Bonhill" the parish of Bonhill is in Dunbartonshire. Cheers......Skoosh.
-
Hi ,
I am positive I have a book in the attic of a collection of Smollets works. It is very old and I have had it since my mum died in 1969...I think I will have a wee look for it now...I think it may be date late 1800's or early 1900's. It is rather large....writing very small.
lynda
-
Thanks Lynda,
Anything that helps solve the mystery.
I've been trying to go back another generation on the family tree, wondering if it was there also.
But that's not an easy task from this side of the world.
With our Smollett Henderson being born in 1800 to Alexander Henderson and Margaret Sked (from Berwick upon Tweed) they married in 1796 in Dunbar, East Lothian.
I know they had 11 children, Smollett being the 3rd born.
Anyone with other suggestion where I might look for more information would be fantastic.
Cheers
Anita
Aussie Researcher
-
I also have scottish ancestors and I have found in my lines that quite often the women have a surname as a middle name, which is quite good of them really as it now points me in the right direction!!! I use Scotlands People website as they have most parish records online going quite far back, you have to pay per view but you do get to keep any document you view so although i think it would be better being free i do think it is not bad value for money. Hope this helps.
Sarah ;D
-
According to a privately printed book about Rev Alexander Reid and his family in NZ, Nga Putake - a Reid Family in New Zealand 1849-1993 by Alice Fieldhouse, the reason for naming Smollett Henderson is not known and may have been inspired by the novelist ofthat name. But interestingly, the Smollett name continued in the Reid family which came to NZ. Smollett Henderson was the brother of Margaret Henderson, who was the second child of Alexander Henderson and Margaret Sked, born 19 November 1798. She married David Reid, a carter of Dean Street, Stockbridge, and Alexander Reid was their first child, born 30 November 1821 and baptised in Cramond Kirk. Alexander Reid was ordained and came to NZ where he was a prominent early Wesleyan missionary. He had a brother, Smollett Reid, who was born in 1829 and went to the Australian goldfields before moving to NZ where he set up as a successful farmer and became a local figure of eminence just south of Auckland. He died in 1901. NT
-
Thanks Nick T,
that's so interesting as I didn't know that about that line. I had that Margaret married David Reid and that was it. Are you connected to the branch of the family or just have access to the book? I come down the line from Jean another sister of Margaret.
I'd love to get a copy of the book sounds so interesting.
Thanks for your help, nice to know the name is still going on, in my family, sadly it has stopped with me.
-
Smollet appears to be a Scottish surname:
http://gbnames.publicprofiler.org/Surnames.aspx
It may be that this was originally a surname, used as a forename and continued down the generations. As others have said, a surname as a middle name for males and females is fairly common. Sometimes they are a traceable family name, sometimes the name was given to honor a friend or local dignitary, then passed down and the original meaning lost.
-
Thanks Ruskie,
That website is great, another one to add to my ever growing research list.
Yes, is interesting that it has been used for both female and male forenames and middle name (like mine).
Thanks everyone for your assistance, it's great.
Cheers
Aussie Researcher
-
Glad you like it AR - hours of fun. ;)
'Tis just a guide but interesting nevertheless.
-
yes, gets you thinking.
Thanks for sharing :)
-
I have found the book. It was printed in the late 1800's. Tobias George Smollet was apparently one of the great scottish novelist of his time. Born in 1721 mother was Barbara and father Archibald. He was of a Dumbartonshire family and proud of it. apparently there are 'genealogical records preserved in the town archives which go back to 1500's where another Tobias married the daughter of Sir Patrick Houston, who was the owner of propert in the countyof renfrew. In the 17th century there is a mention of sir James Smollet in Bonhill. This was the grandfather of tobias George. He has a brother James, sister Jane after her paternal grandmother, Tobias was the third child and shortly after he was born his father Archibald died.
Tobias died on 16 or 17th September 1771 at Leghorn and is buried there. After I have moved house and if this is of any interest to you I will try and either copy or type out dates and names of the people that are mentioned for you, but my internet will not be back on till the 18th March.....
Lynda
-
Lynda,
Thanks for this info and yes I'd love a copy of it, what is the name of the book you found this info in?
Sounds a great book.
Thanks again
-
Hi Anita
Yes I'm from the Reid line, which is why I have the book. Alexander Reid, Smollett's brother, was my father's mother's father. The book, printed in 1993, devotes quite a lot of space to Smollett Henderson Reid and his descendants. His first child was named Georgina Jane Smollett Reid (25/5/1861-03/11/1935). She married George William Morley and their first son was Smollett Warburton Morley (15/12/1885-18/1/1974) but the Smollett name seemed to die out after that.
Nick
-
The Edinburgh Library of Standard Authors, Smollets Works, published in 1894. (Author David Herbert M,A.) Printed by W.P.Nimmo, Hay and Mitchell.
It has tiny writing of that time and in 2 columns 623 pages.I am not sure why my mother would have had this volume, but we do have Reids in our family from Angus. James Reid married to Jessie Caird, c1835.....I think.
Lynda
-
I am also aware that there was a missionary in our family as my gt grandmother Welsh had some belongings which seem to have been brought back from Africa. I am sure that there was an uncle who was a missionary which I remember hearing from 'adult' conversation when I was a child. When I spoke to my mothers cousin 2 years agin, this was met with great enthusiasim and the items were produced......I dont know the surname of this person, but we do have reids in our line.....so who knows.....
-
Dear Aussie Researcher
In researching my wife's family, there are several Smolletts present.
Jane Henderson (1800-1860) m Richard Christie.
They lived in the same area (Garvald) as your Smollett.
One of Jane's children was called Smollett, and she also had a niece by the same name.
It does sound too much of a coincidence.
Hope you read this.
Regards
Egdalrow, also an Aussie
-
Hi Egdalrow,
I do believe we have a direct match.
I will send you a personal message.
Cheers
Aussie Researcher
-
Hi Egdalrow and aussie researcher
Egdalrow, welcome to RootsChat :) You need a couple of more postings here on the main boards before your personal message service is activated.
Monica
-
Hi Nick,
I came across this message board when I was looking into the origins of the name Smollett and I was wondering if you could help me. I am descended from Alexander and Smollett's younger brother David Anderson Reid born 1831 in Cramond. His eldest daughter from his first marriage was called Georgina as well, do you know if they were named after anyone?
I was also wondering if you know of the origins of their father David Reid. His birth was around 1792 in Edinburgh but I haven't found a record of it. His death certificate in 1861 states that his parents were David Reid (a writer?) and Catherine Skinner but I have found no record of them either.
Regards,
Michael
-
Michael, a "Writer" is a lawyer. He might have been a Writer to the Signet which society has its own records of members.
Try the National Archives of Scotland, you might be lucky.
http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/
Skoosh.
-
Thank you for your reply, another useful website to add to the research list! I couldn't be sure if he was one of the David Reids on there since I don't know anything about him.Here is the image to confirm that it does say writer, I can't imagine what else it might be. I just find it quite surprising that there was someone so educated in the family circa 1800!
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m88/dancwhxre/DRCapture.png)
-
Hi Nick,
I came across this message board when I was looking into the origins of the name Smollett and I was wondering if you could help me. I am descended from Alexander and Smollett's younger brother David Anderson Reid born 1831 in Cramond. His eldest daughter from his first marriage was called Georgina as well, do you know if they were named after anyone?
I was also wondering if you know of the origins of their father David Reid. His birth was around 1792 in Edinburgh but I haven't found a record of it. His death certificate in 1861 states that his parents were David Reid (a writer?) and Catherine Skinner but I have found no record of them either.
Regards,
Michael
Hi Michael,
I am looking at the Reids at the moment trying to figure out if they are related or not. I have a photo of a David A Reid, buried at Alfriston Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand and Smollet Henderson Reid. I know a Georgina Jane Smollett Reid married a Morley, but I am having trouble finding out if this is the same line I am on. If anyone knows if he is related to the Methodist Minister William Morley in NZ, would be greatly appreciated. I am new to this, so my apologies if I have done it wrong.
Nicole
-
Hi Nicole,
My David Anderson Reid was the only Reid brother not to leave Scotland, so I am not much help with the New Zealand Reids. I do know that his brother Smollett Henderson Reid was the father of Georgina Reid, who married George William Morley and they had at least one son, named Smollett, but I'm afraid I don't know much else. Do you know who your David A Reid buried in Auckland is?
Sorry I couldn't help more but I will have a look through the information I have to see if there is anything else.
Michael
-
Hi, I have a Smollett in my family tree. She was born in 1829. Her father was John Iles & mother Marion Sked. Marion was born in East Lothian in 1786, died 1859.
-
Thanks Sharonjury,
I'd have to guess we could very well be related.
I don't have a Marion Sked but I do have other Sked's from the same area.
I have Margaret Sked Born 1772-1776 who married Alexander Henderson in Dunbar in 1796.
They had 11 children one who was Smollett.
Would love to know more of what you have on the Sked line.
Aussie Researcher
-
IGI has the 1831 Cramond birth, but the mother is listed as Margaret Henderson.
Regards
Malky
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XTRW-P2Z
-
thanks,
yes this is the child of Margaret Henderson and David Reid.
Same family line
-
Hi, I have a Smollett in my family tree. She was born in 1829. Her father was John Iles & mother Marion Sked. Marion was born in East Lothian in 1786, died 1859.
Just had another look and have now worked out yes Marion is connected.
She is the sister of my Margaret Sked who I'm descendant from.
Where do you fit in this family?
Send me private message if you like.
Aussie researcher
-
Hi All,
Happy New Year to aussie researcher and countrymen, who are now in 2014, we in Scotland have a few hours to go in 2013.
On FreeReg, found a Smollet to parents John Cochran (weaver) and Margaret Henderson on 09 Mar 1794 baptised 16 Mar 1794 in Dunbar, witnesses Mungo Cochran and John Henderson.
Tom
-
Wll let you know if I find anything, but am concerntrating on the Iles side at the moment.
Reards Sharron
-
Hi All,
Happy New Year to aussie researcher and countrymen, who are now in 2014, we in Scotland have a few hours to go in 2013.
On FreeReg, found a Smollet to parents John Cochran (weaver) and Margaret Henderson on 09 Mar 1794 baptised 16 Mar 1794 in Dunbar, witnesses Mungo Cochran and John Henderson.
Tom
Happy New Year to all readers.
Interesting find Tom.
Now makes me wonder if the Smollett name comes down the Henderson or the Sked families.
My search goes on, as we know never ending :)
The Hendersons and Skeds are on my family tree, hope one day I will get to the bottom of it.
I have thought it might have come from Tobias Smollett but cant find anything yet.
thanks everyone for you help over the years.
Happy researching
Aussie Researcher
-
I would like to contact you but I am new tothis site and not sure how to do private
-
Click on the poster's name, and the profile will appear. Click on "Send PM" and send a private message.
Regards
Malky
-
[quote author=tidybooks link=topic=440408.msg5174165#msg5174165 date=1388499513
Happy New Year to all readers.
Interesting find Tom.
Now makes me wonder if the Smollett name comes down the Henderson or the Sked families.
My search goes on, as we know never ending :)
The Hendersons and Skeds are on my family tree, hope one day I will get to the bottom of it.
I have thought it might have come from Tobias Smollett but cant find anything yet.
thanks everyone for you help over the years.
Happy researching
Aussie Researcher
Hi Aussieresearcher,
Happy New Year to you too, I think now that we have a Male Henderson and a Female Henderson marriage both having a Smollet, I would think the Henderson line is favourite, maybe their grandmother. I cannot find an earlier Smollet in that area so far.
Tom
-
Hi Nicole,
My David Anderson Reid was the only Reid brother not to leave Scotland, so I am not much help with the New Zealand Reids. I do know that his brother Smollett Henderson Reid was the father of Georgina Reid, who married George William Morley and they had at least one son, named Smollett, but I'm afraid I don't know much else. Do you know who your David A Reid buried in Auckland is?
Sorry I couldn't help more but I will have a look through the information I have to see if there is anything else.
Michael
The David A Reid is "David Alexander Reid" son of Smollet Henderson and Jane Reid.
-
Hi Anita,
the name Smollett means " Small Head or Heid ", it does sound like somewhere in the family there is someone with that name of Smollett, families tended to keep names in the family by using them as middle names, my mother-in-law had four so the family tree was easy to work on.
I checked Scotlandspeople the Record Office and came up with numbers registered with the name.
The old Records covering all districts of Scotland ( 1538-1854 ).
Births = 6 Marriages = 56 and Deaths = 135.
The Statutory Records again all districts of Scotland ( 1855-2013 )
Births = 113 Marriages = 62 and Deaths 135
Roman Catholic Births = 6 and Deaths = 135
Regards.
Archie.
-
I know of a Smollet Punton who lived in Dunbar. I traced her for a while then realised she wasn't part of our family. She went to America? when she was in her early 20s with a single ticket.........if my memory is correct!
-
Hi Anita,
I realise this is an old post but the Smollett name has always been an issue of curiosity in our family. I was just looking at my family tree and thought I really should do a search on that name and then came across your post. Smollett Henderson was also my third great grand aunt. I think the most recent manifestation in our family of the name was Smollett Elizabeth Anderson (known as Elizabeth) and Smollett Catherine Ross (who called herself Kate). Both these women were born in the 19thC and the name seems to have gone out of fashion since then. I have a David Sked and a Mary Neilson for Margaret's parents but nothing yet for Alexander Henderson's parents. Let me know if you do any better!
Cheers,
Heather
-
Hi Heather. I have a Smollett Isles in my tree. She was born in 1829 and her mother was Marion Sked (1786-1859). Marion parents were John & Jane (Gray) and she married John Isles in 1806 in Leith.
Does Marion appear in your tree at all?
Thanks
Sharron
-
Hi Sharron,
I have a Smollett Henderson with a mother Margaret Sked - that's as close as I get although I have no other relatives for Margaret so it could possibly be a sibling. They were from Garvald, Scotland.
cheers,
Heather
-
We are in the right area as Marion was born in East Lothian. Maybe not a sibling but possibly related.
Regards,
Sharron
-
I've been researching My Family Tree's for a good few years now. I've also taken an interest in taking pictures of Headstones/Memorials/Markers, transcribing them and doing some light research to give more depth to people. Mostly it's in and around Dunbar, East Lothian in Scotland. I add this to the Find-A-Grave website because it's free and easy to use globally.
I've just added a picture & information of an Alexander Henderson & Margaret Elizabeth Sked's memorial (Dunbar Parish Church). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223528617/alexander-henderson I noticed Smollet/Smollett's grave has been added to this website too (she's in Garvald, East Lothian) but as yet there is no picture of which I hope to get.
I've added some research which I believe is correct, but if there are any mistakes I am happy to be corrected.
-
P.s.
In all my research I've watch the evolution of name usage. It was common practice for surnames to be given to children as first names. I've a GGGGGranfather called Johnston Fell. Also watch names changed from Christian to Christina for girls then boys being called Christian.
-
Hi Gavin,
Alexander Henderson & Margaret Elizabeth Sked are on my family tree.
I took photos of some of the graves in Garvald when we were there in 2008.
I should hunt them out.
Alexander and Margaret had 11 children I wonder if any of them are also buried at Dunbar other than the 3 infants and Alexander the son with them.
I'm also a member of 'Find a Grave' and take photos over here in Victoria Australia in my local area.
I'll have a closer look at my tree and see who else is buried in that region.
Thanks, again for the contact and photos.
-
Hi All,
Been quite a while since I first joined this search, but it still interests me now. The first Smollet born in East Lothian was Smollet Cochran, daughter to John Cochran and Margaret Henderson on 16 March 1794 in Dunbar, this would be baptism date probably. So the Henderson line is prominent.
The earliest Smollet in Scotland, by ScotlandPeople and LDS Family Search websites is Smollet McEchny, daughter to James McEchny and Elizabeth Carns, christened on 16th October, 1730 in Bonhill in Dunbartonshire.
Hope these help.
Tom Buchanan