Why is he called a Tinsmith? Other names include Tinker, Tinman, Tinplate Worker, Tinner, Tin Knocker, Tin Banger, Tin Bender. He is however not called a Whitesmith. The Oxford Dictionary lists accounts of the use of Whitesmith but there is nothing conclusive that they were a worker of tinplate. The dictionary describes a Whitesmith as some one who works with white iron. There examples of newspaper advertisements that list the individual as Whitesmith and Tinsmith. The name Whitesmith can be found in the writings of Moxon as someone who takes the work of a blacksmith and files and polishes it until it is bright or white.
The name Tinman was used in early America as well as Tinplate Worker. Tinsmith appears in census records in the 1820’s.
Tinner is used in America but that name is used as a person who makes tinplate in England.
Tin Knocker, Tin Basher, Tin Banger are used in the modern sheet metal industry for Tinsmith.
The work of a Whitesmith is more closely related to a Locksmith and Bell Hanger.
A Tinker is used in modern times but in the 18th and 19th century it was some one who repaired tinware and travelled from town to town, also taking payment in kind.