Surname Smeets - Meaning and Origin

Smeets: What does the surname Smeets mean?

The last name Smeets is of Dutch origin. It derives from the Dutch word smet, which means “spot, stain, smudge” and refers to someone who was ashamed or embarrassed.

The name is not commonly found in other countries, and those who bear it were likely descendants of Dutch settlers who moved away from the Netherlands in the 19th century.

The last name has many variations, including Smits, Smeetsen, Smit, Smeetser, and Smieters, and may point to various ancestors in different regions and countries. The spelling of the name may have changed depending on the native language of the speaker.

The Smeets surname is associated with Dutch noble families, especially in the city of Breda. It usually has religious connotations, as many Smeets families were members of the Catholic church or had strong spiritual ties.

The Smeets are known for their hard-working nature and understanding of the value of education. They are entrepreneurs and business owners, but also dedicated community members who worked to promote the betterment of everyone.

Smeets is a successful and varied last name, one that reflects the proud culture and heritage of many Dutch families around the world.

Smeets: Where does the name Smeets come from?

The last name Smeets is most common in The Netherlands and Belgium. In The Netherlands, it is the 28th most common surname, while in Belgium it is the 25th most common surname. People with the surname Smeets tend to be concentrated in Limburg Province and South Limburg in The Netherlands; along with the Limburg, West-Vlaanderen, and Antwerp Provinces in Belgium.

The surname Smeets is derived from the old Dutch word of 'smeed,' which mean 'smith.' It was a name used to refer anyone who worked in the smithing trade, such as blacksmiths, silversmiths, and goldsmiths. In more recent times, the exact spelling of the name can vary, and include variations such as Smets, Smits, and Smeet.

In 2001, it was estimated that there were over 11,000 people with the last name Smeets living in The Netherlands and over 6,000 people with the surname living in Belgium. Outside of these two countries, the name saw a much lower presence, with an estimated 500 people in the United States and an estimated 2,500 people in Germany.

The name Smeets is still quite a popular name today, although it is not as popular as it once was. Nonetheless, it remains one of The Netherlands' and Belgium's most recognizable surnames.

Variations of the surname Smeets

The surname Smeets is commonly spelled as Meetz. It is also sometimes spelled as Smeetz or Smets. The Dutch version of the surname is spelled as Smits, while the German version of it is usually spelled as Schmiedt.

In some cases, the name may appear with a double “t” at the end, such as Smett or Smet. It can be spelled with a letter “z” after the first letter, such as Smezt or Smeetz.

The surname Smeets is a patronymic surname. This means that it was derived from the name of the father or ancestor. In the case of this surname, it was derived from the Dutch first name Smeet, which is a diminutive form of the first name Simon.

The surname Smeets is derived from the Dutch verb smeden, which means “to forge” or ”to hammer out”. It is likely that the surname was used to denote a person who worked with metals.

In some cases, the surname Smeets has been Anglicized as Smith. Other variants of this surname include Smit, Smids, Smitsen, Smitser, Smiedts, Smiet, Smiets, Smett, Smitse, Smette, Smytz, Smitsen, Smidts, Schmiedt, and Schmiet.

In the Netherlands, the surname Smeets is most commonly found in the province of Limburg, while in Belgium the surname is most commonly found in the province of Antwerp. However, it can be found in other parts of both the Netherlands and Belgium.

In the United States, the surname Smeets is fairly common, particularly in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Famous people with the name Smeets

• Jeroen Smeets: Dutch professional basketball player
• Femke Smeets: Dutch visual artist
• Pieter Smeets: Dutch athlete and world-record holder for powerlifing
• Tinus Smeets: Dutch cyclist
• Ad Smeets: Dutch physicist
• Rebecca Smeets: Dutch law professor
• Jan Smeets: Dutch chess grandmaster
• Wilbert Smeets: Dutch abstract painter
• Bernard Smeets: Dutch journalist
• Lucy Smeets: Dutch model and actress

Other surnames

Smeetz