English
Nesmith
Nesmith comes from Middle English knyf ‘knife’, and goes back to Old English cnīf.
- Old Englishc. 450–1150cnīf‘knife’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500knyf‘knife’
- EnglishtodayNesmith
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Old Englishc. 450–1150cnīf‘knife’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500knyf‘knife’
- EnglishtodayNesmith
The story
Occupational surname for a maker of knives or nails, from Middle English knyf (‘knife’) or nayl (‘nail’) + smith.
Every English word from Old English cnīf
Today it means
name A surname from Middle English [in turn originating as an occupation].
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old English cnīf / Nesmith