Show ContentsWitts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Witts family

The surname Witts was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in Amsterdam, an ancient 13th century town held by the Lords of Amstel. Giesebrecht II built a castle there. Geisbrecht III built the dam to keep out the sea. It is first mentioned in charters of 1275 when Floris IV, the count of Holland granted its charter. It became a city of great mercantile wealth. It hold great treasures of art. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into a most influential family.

Early History of the Witts family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Witts research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Witts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Witts Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wit, Witt, Wite, Witte, Wites, Wits, Witts, Wittes, van Wit, van Witt, Whit, Wyt, Wytt, van Wytt and many more.

Early Notables of the Witts family

More information is included under the topic Early Witts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Witts migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Witts Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Witts, who landed in Virginia in 1656 1
  • Tho Witts, who landed in Virginia in 1699 1
Witts Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Witts, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 1
Witts Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Edwin William Witts, aged 24, who settled in America from London, England, in 1909
  • Florence Emily Witts, aged 24, who landed in America from London, England, in 1909
  • John Witts, aged 27, who landed in America from Kingston, England, in 1910
  • Alfred James Witts, aged 18, who landed in America from Highgate, England, in 1911
  • Alice Witts, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Westerham, England, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Witts migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Witts Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Nathaniel Witts, (b. 1808), aged 22, English joiner who was convicted in Gloucestershire, England for 14 years for house breaking, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1846 2
  • Mr. Edward Witts, (b. 1820), aged 24, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Sea Queen" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th April 1844 3
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Witts, (b. 1817), aged 27, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sea Queen" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th April 1844 3
  • Mr. John Witts, (b. 1841), aged 3, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sea Queen" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th April 1844 3
  • Miss Mary Witts, (b. 1837), aged 7, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sea Queen" arriving in Port Phillip, New South Wales, Australia on 15th April 1844 3

New Zealand Witts migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Witts Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Jacob Witts, (b. 1840), aged 23, British farm servant travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 16th February 1864 4
  • Mrs. Mary Anne Witts, (b. 1841), aged 22, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 16th February 1864 4
  • Joseph Witts, aged 30, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Readman" in 1872 4
  • Mr. Joseph Witts, (b. 1842), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Jessie Readman" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th December 1872 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Witts (post 1700) +

  • Mrs. S. N. Witts, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Minnesota, 1940
  • Richard "Dick" Witts, English professional musicologist, music historian, and ex leader of 1980s band The Passage
  • Max Morgan- Witts, Canadian-born, British producer, director and author

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. George B Witts, British Reg Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 5


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
  3. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, May 30). Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales on (1828 - 1842, 1848 - 1849) [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1838_on.pdf
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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