Smit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Germany

Early Origins of the Smit family

The surname Smit 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 Utrecht, a city and capital of the province of Utrecht. The ramparts of this ancient city were destroyed in 1830. The Domkerk(1254) is on the site of the original church of St.Willibrord in 720. In the crypt are the hearts of Conrad II (1039) and Henry V (1125) two German Emperors. The Museum is notable for its relics and artifacts. Its tumultuous history was strongly influenced by religious conflict. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Smit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Smit research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1635 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Smit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Smit Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Smit, Smitt, Smitte, Smites, Smitts, Smiit, Smiites, Smittes, van Smit, Smut, Smutts, van Smutts, Schmit, Schmidt, van Schmidt and many more.

Early Notables of the Smit family

From this era of Dutch history, those of this who distinguished themselves included

Ludowyk, or Caspar Smits, or Smith (1635-1707), a Dutch Golden Age painter

Smit World Ranking

In the United States, the name Smit is the 12,725^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in Netherlands, the name Smit is ranked the 8^th most popular surname with an estimated 46,824 people with that name. 2 And in South Africa, the name Smit is the 59^th popular surname with an estimated 72,776 people with that name. 3

Smit migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Smit Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Lucas Smit, who landed in New York, NY in 1641 4
Jan Smit, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1642 4
Huybert Smit, who arrived in New Netherland(s) in 1653 4
Anna Meinderts Smit, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1654 4
Dirck Smit, who landed in America in 1654 4

Smit Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Bernhart Smit, who landed in New York in 1709 4
Andries Smit, who arrived in New York in 1709 4
Andries Smit, who arrived in America in 1709
Hendrig Smit, who landed in New York in 1709 4
Daniel Smit, who landed in New York in 1709 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Smit Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francina Smit, aged 3, who arrived in New York, NY in 1846 4
Geeradus Smit, aged 12, who landed in New York, NY in 1846 4
George H Smit, who landed in New York, NY in 1846 4
Gezina Smit, aged 36, who arrived in New York, NY in 1846 4
Dina Smit, aged 10, who arrived in New York, NY in 1846 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Smit (post 1700) +

Leo Smit (1921-1999), American composer
Raymond J. Smit (b. 1928), American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1964; Member of Michigan State House of Representatives, 1967-74 5
Hugo Smit, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Libau, 1897-1905 5
Theo Smit (1951-2023), Dutch professional road bicycle racer
Theodora Adriana "Dore" Smit (1933-2021), Dutch actress and presenter, active between 1960 and 1999
Adrianus Wilhelmus "Arie" Smit (1916-2016), Dutch-born Indonesian painter
Joseph Smit (1836-1929), Dutch zoological illustrator
Arij Smit (1907-1970), Dutch boxer at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Johannes Chrishostomos "Kick" Smit (1911-1974), Dutch footballer
Sylvia Smit (b. 1986), Dutch female international footballer
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 20) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html