OLIVE SMITH

Originally a medieval given name, Oliff(e), derived via French from the Late Latin name Oliva, which was borne by two obscure early saints. It in turn is derived from the Latin name for the olive tree, and was no doubt adopted at first because of the associations of the olive tree with peaceful productivity and fruitfulness; the olive branch has been a symbol of peace since biblical times. Like many names denoting plants and flowers, it was particularly popular in the early decades of the 20th century. See also Olivia.

English: occupational name for a worker in metal, from Middle English smith (Old English smið, probably a derivative of smītan ‘to strike, hammer’). Metalworking was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and its importance ensured that this term and its equivalents were perhaps the most widespread of all occupational surnames in Europe. Medieval smiths were important not only in making horseshoes, plowshares, and other domestic articles, but above all for their skill in forging swords, other weapons, and armor. This is the most frequent of all American surnames; it has also absorbed, by assimilation and translation, cognates and equivalents from many other languages (for forms, see Hanks and Hodges 1988).