Why is a Blacksmith Called a Blacksmith? Where the Name Comes From..

Blacksmithing has been an important craft within human history for thousands of years. Blacksmiths heat metal in forges and hammer the heated metal into endless shapes, which once cooled, can be used as handy tools or admired as beautiful artwork. Blacksmiths traditionally made horseshoes, farming equipment, weapons, armor, and household items.

Smiths living and working today make many of the same products, but also forge art pieces and decorative items. No matter the time period or items created, blacksmiths have proved to be important in society. So important, in fact, that the word “blacksmith” and other variants like “smith” have rich etymologies in several major languages.

The Origin of “Blacksmith” in the English Language

The word “blacksmith” combines two distinguishing elements of a smith’s work: the color of the iron when heated, and the act of striking the metal with tools. Most scholars believe that “black” refers to the oxidation that iron undergoes when it is introduced to a flame. A black coating forms on the surface of the iron and therefore is a unique descriptive feature of a blacksmith’s work and the materials he uses. This distinguishes an ironworker like a blacksmith from similar craftsmen such as goldsmiths or silversmiths.

“Smith” comes from the Old English word “smythe,” which means “to strike,” or “smitan,” which means “hammer.” Today the word is commonly defined as “a worker in metal.” The word “smith” entered the English language prior to 900 AD, which makes it an ancient word and suggests that smithing as an occupation is an important one in Anglo tradition.

“Smith” is one of the most common last names in English speaking countries and is an occupational surname given to people whose ancestors worked with metal. The word “smith” is related to other words of the same meaning in multiple European languages, which are discussed in more detail below.

What are Blacksmiths Called Elsewhere in the World?

What is a blacksmith called in Spanish?

In Spanish, the term for blacksmith is “herrero.” The word means “worker in iron” or “smith” and, like its English counterpart, is sometimes used as a surname. “Herrero” is derived from the Latin word “ferrarius” which translates to “made from iron.”

What is a blacksmith called in French?

The French word for blacksmith is “forgeron.” This word is a combination of “forger,” which is the French verb describing forging, and “on” which indicates an occupation. So together, both words mean “one who forges.” The verb “forger” stems from the Latin word “fabricare,” which translates to “fabrication.”

What is a blacksmith called in German?

“Schmeid” is the German word for blacksmith and literally means “smith.” It developed from the Middle High German word “smit,” which has the same translation. Both versions derived from the even earlier Old High German word “smid,” which translates to “worker in metal.” An alternative spelling of “schmeid” commonly used as a surname is “schmidt.” Like English and Spanish,  we see that blacksmithing as an occupation led to a popular surname in German as well.

What is a blacksmith called in Swedish?

In Swedish, a blacksmith is called “smed.” This word looks and sounds similar to the German word “schmeid,” because it is a variation of it. “Smed” literally translates to “forged” in English.

What is a blacksmith called in a Russian?

“Кузне́ц” or “kuznec” is the Russian word for blacksmith and stems from Old East Slavic. It means “smith” and has a similar spelling and pronunciation in other Slavic languages like Polish, Czech, and Ukrainian.

What is a blacksmith called in Turkish?

“Demir” means “iron” in Turkish, and it is commonly used as a surname as well as being the term for a blacksmith. “Demirci” is an alternative spelling of the last name and means the same thing.

What is a blacksmith called in Japanese?

In Japanese, a blacksmith is called “kanuchi,” which is a contraction of the Old Japanese words for “metal” and “striker.”

What  is a blacksmith called in Chinese?

“Tiějiàng” means blacksmith in Chinese. When spelled in traditional Mandarin characters, the word translates to “iron” and “craftsman” in English. Like the other languages discussed, both aspects of blacksmithing— the material used, and the way it is manipulated— are combined to create one word.