This surname is derived from an occupation. 'the arrowsmith,' a maker of iron tips, a smith. This surname is corrupted to Athersmith in Furness, North Lancashire. I have two Athersmiths in my parish Ulverston). A late occupative term. No instance in the Hundred Rolls or any other records of the 13th century, so far as my researches go. For the earliest instance given in the Historical English Dictionary (c. 1400) v. Armer.

'Arowe-beders, malteraen, and corn mongers.': 1510. Cocke Lorelles Bote.

Henricus Breyksarth, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Johannes Arrowsmyth, ibid.

Stephen Amowsmyth, ibid.

Johannes Arughsmyght. ibid.

William Arowesmythe, temp. Elizabeth: Calendar of Pleadings, temp. Elizabeth I.

Richard Arsmith, temp. Elizabeth: Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I.

John Arrowsmith, curate of Lynn, Norfolk, 1643: History of Norfolk.

1748-9. Baptised — Noble, s. Robert Arrowsmith, butcher: St. Dionis Backchurch.

ARROWSMITH: A maker of arrows, or rather arrow-heads. This, in the days of archery, was a distinct trade. In the curious burlesque poem, Cock Lorelles Bote, these artizans are called "arowe-heders."

From the Frisian, Athe; a personal name, and Schmid; or from the Frisian, Atteschmid, the obsolete form of Ritterschmid, an armourer, who belonged once to the lower orders of nobility.

Amougst the names that once characterised this county, but are now rare, I may refer to that of Arrowsmith: there was a Cirencester family thus called during the 17th and 18th centuries (Bigl.); and in the same century several of the mayors and churchwardens of Tetbury bore this name (Lee's "Tetbury").