Surname: Smit

Origin and Meaning

Smit is a British surname with Dutch origins, derived from the Old Dutch word "smit" which means blacksmith. The name likely originated as an occupational surname for a blacksmith or metal worker in the Middle Ages.

Distribution and Popularity

The surname Smit is relatively rare in Britain compared to other common surnames. It is more commonly found in the Netherlands and some Northern European countries where the Dutch influence is prevalent.

Notable Bearers of the Surname

  • Johannes Smit (1833-1907): A renowned Dutch artist known for his landscape paintings.
  • Sarah Smit (born 1980): British journalist and author, known for her investigative reporting on environmental issues.
  • Henry Smit (1922-1998): English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs in the 1940s and 1950s.

Variations of the Surname

Variations of the surname Smit include Smith, Schmit, Schmidt, and Smeets. These variations can sometimes be found in family lineages as the surname evolved over generations.

Coat of Arms

The Smit family coat of arms features traditional symbols associated with metalworking such as hammers, anvils, and other tools. The coat of arms signifies the family's historical link to the blacksmith profession.

Trivia

Did you know? The surname Smit is not only found in Britain and the Netherlands but also in South Africa, where Dutch settlers introduced the name during the colonial period.

There are approximately 1,481 people named Smit in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,410th most common surname in Britain. Around 23 in a million people in Britain are named Smit.

Region of origin: Europe

Country of origin: Germany

Language of origin: German

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Adrian
  • Andries
  • Christopher
  • David
  • Francois
  • Jacobus
  • Johan
  • Johannes
  • John
  • Michael
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Timothy

Female

  • Annelie
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Gillian
  • Jan
  • Jennifer
  • Joanne
  • Laura
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Samantha
  • Susan
  • Wynne

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