A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Smitz family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8048 · Dutch, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à un oranger dans sa caisse, le tout au nat.; aux 2 et 3 d'or à la croix ancrée de gu.”
NetherlandsAmsterdam, c. 1815
Where the Smitz Arms Were Recorded
Amsterdam
Map of Netherlands showing where the Smitz arms are recorded
The Smitz arms were recorded in Amsterdam, c. 1815.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
Region
Amsterdam
Town
Amsterdam
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Smitz Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Smitz arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Smitz Family in Netherlands
The surname Smitz is a variation of the occupational name Smit, which was common throughout the Netherlands during the early nineteenth century. By 1815, families bearing this name were well-established in Amsterdam, a city that served as a central hub for trade and craftsmanship following the end of the Napoleonic era. During this period, the Dutch government required citizens to formalize their surnames through the civil registry, a process that helped stabilize the spelling of names like Smitz. Because the name is derived from the Dutch word for a blacksmith, it suggests that early ancestors were likely skilled metalworkers who played a vital role in the industrial growth of the city. These families were part of the urban working class that helped rebuild Amsterdam as it transitioned into a modern capital. The presence of the name in city records from 1815 reflects a time when families were becoming more deeply integrated into the administrative and social fabric of the Netherlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
foxWit and wisdom in defence
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'azur à un monde d'arg., cintré et croisé d'or; au 2 d'arg. à trois pals de gu. et au chef aussi d'arg., ch. d'un re-nard courant de gu.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Smitz Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Smitz arms are recorded
The Smitz arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Netherlands when the Smitz arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Smitz Family in Belgium
The surname Smitz is a variation of the occupational name Smith, which was historically used to identify individuals who worked as blacksmiths or metalworkers. In the region of Brabant, the name became established during the eighteenth century as families settled into specific trades and local communities. By 1737, records confirm that members of the Smitz family were active participants in the social and economic life of this Belgian province. During this era, Brabant was a hub of agricultural and craft production, and families like the Smitz clan often held positions as skilled artisans who provided essential tools for the surrounding farms and villages. As these families grew, they became deeply rooted in the local parish systems, which served as the primary way to track births, marriages, and deaths in the community. This transition from a simple occupational title to a fixed family name reflects the broader movement toward organized record-keeping in the Low Countries during the mid-1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Smid
A person who works with metal or a blacksmith.
This name
SmitzAn occupational surname referring to a metalworker or blacksmith.
also spelled
Smitz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., De betekenis van de Nederlandse familienamen, 1950
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Bevolkingsregister van Amsterdam
Nationaal Archief, Burgerlijke Stand en Bevolking
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
cross symbolChristian faith and service
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
foxWit and wisdom in defence
