Ruijter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Netherlands

Etymology of Ruijter

The surname Ruijter corresponds to the French Chevalier, the German Ritter and the English Knight, each of which is derived from the feudal rank of knighthood. Ruijter comes from the Dutch word "ruiten" meaning to "plunder" or "loot" and was originally applied to highwaymen. However, the word came to be used to denote any mounted warrior or armed horseman.

Early Origins of the Ruijter family

Early History of the Ruijter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ruijter research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1570, 1607, 1620, 1635, 1649, 1675, 1676, 1683 and 1811 are included under the topic Early Ruijter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ruijter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ruiter, Ruyter, Ruijter, Deruyter, Deruiter, Rüters, Rüther and many more.

Early Notables of the Ruijter family

Engel Michielszoon de Ruyter (1649-1683), a Dutch vice-admiral; and Michael Adriaanszoon de Ruyter (1607-1676) the Dutch naval commander, born in Flushing. He went to sea as a cabin boy, and by 1635 had become a captain in the Dutch navy. In the Dutch Wars against England he distinguished himself by the capture of English holdings on the Gold and Guinea coasts. He brilliantly saved the Dutch fleet in a withdrawal after...
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ruijter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ruijter family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Claes Jansen Ruyter, who settled in New York in 1638; Peterje Ruyter, who settled in New York in 1644; Hans Michael Ruiter, who settled in Philadelphia in 1728.