We have a relatively famous entrepeneur called *****Smith. Self made, started a chain of electronic stores. He organises events just for Smiths with special treament for Dicks - yeah yeah, real funny; heard it all. He has a theory that everyone used to be called Smith until they did something wrong or stupid and then had to change their name. Not quite applicable to me, however.
My grandfather Szmitkowski arrived here from Poland between the wars and was told noone could pronounce his name so he'd be called Smith. Centuries of Polish heritage evaprated at the stroke of a pen by a junior clerk dockside at Melbourne, late 1920s. Almost certainly made my school life easier though. Australia through the 60s wasn't quite as multicultural as it is today.