'arrowsmith' originates from English, specifically the words 'arrow' and 'smith', where 'arrow' ultimately comes from Old English 'earh' meaning 'arrow' and 'smith' comes from Old English 'smið' meaning 'craftsman, worker in metal'.

'arrowsmith' developed in Middle English as a compound from forms like 'arwe-smithe' (combining 'arwe' = arrow and 'smithe' = smith) and eventually became the modern English word 'arrowsmith'.

Initially it meant 'a smith who makes arrows'; over time the basic occupational meaning has largely remained, but the compound has also come to be used as a surname and as the title of a novel.