Show ContentsRuyter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Ruyter corresponds to the French Chevalier, the German Ritter and the English Knight, each of which is derived from the feudal rank of knighthood. Ruyter 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 Ruyter family

The surname Ruyter was first found in the Netherlands.

Early History of the Ruyter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ruyter 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 Ruyter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ruyter Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Ruyter family

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

  • Engel Michielszoon de Ruyter (1649-1683), a Dutch vice-admiral


United States Ruyter migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ruyter Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Claes Jansen Ruyter, who settled in New York in 1638
  • Claes Jansen Ruyter, who arrived in New Netherland(s) in 1638 1
  • Peterje Ruyter, aged 36, who landed in New York in 1644 1
  • Pietertjen Ruyter, aged 36, who arrived in New York in 1644 1
  • Peterje Ruyter, who settled in New York in 1644
Ruyter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Elizabeth, Hendrik, Paul, Anna, Berbel, Caspart and Martin Ruyter, who were naturalized in Philadelphia in 1732
  • Johan Ruyter, who took the Oath of Allegiance in Philadelphia in 1733
  • Johan Ruyter, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 1
  • Daniel Ruyter, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1765 1
Ruyter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • P. G. Ruyter, who arrived in Baltimore in 1834


  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)


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