Contents [hide]

Witt History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Witt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
England
Germany

Etymology of Witt

What does the name Witt mean?

The German surname Witt emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense German territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the Barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. Brandenburg-Prussia was essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Witt family

The surname Witt was first found in the territory of Neumark east of the Electorate of Brandenburg, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society that played a prominent role throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches in Northern Germany, and become recognized for its participation in social, economic, and political affairs.

Early History of the Witt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Witt research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1660, 1717, 1771, 1795, 1816 and 1837 are included under the topic Early Witt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Witt Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Witt include Witte, Witter, Wittek (Silesia), Witt (Holland) and others.

Early Notables of the Witt family

Notable figures of the time with the name Witt were

Christian Friedrich Witt, or Witte (c. 1660-1717), a German composer, music editor and teacher

Witt Ranking

In the United States, the name Witt is the 916^th most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. 1

Witt migration to the United States +

Prussia played an extremely influential role in shaping modern German history. It remained a part of Germany until after the Second World War. Prussia was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. Many Prussians became residents of these new countries after the War, and many migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly to Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Witt were

Witt Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jonathan Witt, who arrived in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1650 2
Moses Witt, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 2
John Witt, who settled in Delaware Bay in 1683
Christopher Witt, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1683

Witt Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Christopher Witt, who settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1704
Jost Witt, who settled in Germantown in 1754
Jost Witt, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1754 2
Gustavus Witt, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1794 2
Catherine Witt, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1794 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Witt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael Witt, who landed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1812 2
William Witt, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1839
Andra Witt, who landed in America in 1844-1845 2
Mr. Johannis Witt, aged 33, German settler who arrived in New Orleans in 1846 aboard the ship "Constitution", bound for Texas
Mrs. Dorothea Witt, aged 35, German farmer who arrived in New Orleans in 1846 aboard the ship "Constitution", bound for Texas
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Witt migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Witt Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Maria Witt, who arrived in Quebec in 1850
Mr. Ferdinand Witt, aged 44, German farmer who landed in Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Leibig" in 1868
Mrs. Louise Witt, aged 42, German settler who landed in Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Leibig" in 1868
Mr. August Witt, aged 8, German settler who landed in Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Leibig" in 1868
Miss Ernestine Witt, aged 4, German settler who landed in Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Leibig" in 1868
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Witt migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Witt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Witt, English convict who was convicted in Winchester, Hampshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 27th August 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 3

Witt migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Witt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Benjamin Witt, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Henry Witt, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Benjamin Witt, aged 30, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Henry Witt, aged 21, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Eliza Witt, aged 21, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842

Contemporary Notables of the name Witt (post 1700) +

Paul Junger Witt (1943-2018), American three-time Primetime Emmy Award winning and Academy Award nominated film and television producer, known for his work on Here Come the Brides, The Partridge Family, The Golden Girls, Soap, Benson, Dead Poets Society, Three Kings and Insomnia
Wiley Witt, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Big Stone Gap, Virginia, 1923-24 (acting, 1923-24)
William E. Witt, American politician, Candidate for Michigan superintendent of public instruction, 1915; Candidate for Circuit Judge in Michigan 3rd Circuit, 1917
Richard C. Witt, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 28th District, 1956
Peter Witt, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Governor of Ohio, 1928
Omer F. Witt, American Republican politician, Candidate for Missouri State House of Representatives from St. Clair County, 1938
Mrs. Lee Witt, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Mexico, 1924
Katie Witt, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Colorado, 2012
J. M. Witt, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Mississippi, 1912
Jerry M. Witt, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State Senate 12th District, 2001
... (Another 23 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Witt family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Kevin Michael Witt (1959-1985), American Sergeant from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 4

Bismarck

Karl Witt (1915-1941), German Matrose Res. who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5

Fraterville mine

Mr. William Witt (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 6
Mr. Marvin J. Witt (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 6

Hindenburg LZ-129

Mr. Hans Hugo Witt (1901-1937), German Luftwaffe Major from Barth-In-Pommern, Germany, who was a passenger on board the Hindenburg LZ-129 and survived the Airship Fire 7

RMS Titanic

Mr. F. Witt (d. 1912), age unknown, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 8
Mr. Henry Dennis Witt (d. 1912), aged 37, English Fireman/Stoker from Lymington, England who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 8

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. (Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm).
Hindenburg Disaster Passenger List | Airships.net. (Retrieved 2014, April 11) . Retrieved from http://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster/hindenburg-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html