Surname Szmyt - Meaning and Origin

Szmyt: What does the surname Szmyt mean?

The last name Szmyt is of Polish origin and it is likely derived from the occupational name for someone who worked with flax or linen. It is likely derived from the Polish word 'szyment,' which means flax or linen, or from the verb ‘szamać’ which means to match or mend. Historically, this surname was associated with the occupation of weavers, tailors, or seamstresses.

The people with the last name Szmyt reside mostly in the present-day countries that formed the Austro-Hungarian Empire, including Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Additionally, in the past, individuals with this last name may have been found in Germany, Romania, and other parts of Eastern Europe.

The Szmyt family is an old and proud one, with records of individuals named Szmyt found as far back as the 1500s. Records of notable Szmyts may be found in the National Archives in Warsaw, and many family members are scholars, government workers, and people with high honors for their work in politics and other fields.

Pride and tradition have been important to the Szmyt family and for centuries they have maintained their heritage. Today, this is reflected in the culture of the family, with members of the family often celebrating their heritage at social and other gatherings. The Szmyt family is known for their loyalty, family values, and strong work ethic, and they have also been known for their generous nature and willingness to help others in need.

Szmyt: Where does the name Szmyt come from?

The surname Szmyt is most commonly found in Poland today, where it is listed as the 11th most common surname with over 27,000 people bearing the name. The Szmyt surname dates back to the 1300s, with records found for a Szmyt in the Gostynin records from 1395.

Within Poland, the surname Szmyt is concentrated mainly within the areas of Lubuskie (68%), followed by Mazowieckie (16%), Łódzkie (7%), Podlasie (3%) and Warminsko-Mazurskie (1%). However, there is some scattering outside of Poland, with migrants bringing the surname to the United States, Canada, Central America, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Brazil.

It is also relatively common in Eastern Europe, predominantly in Belarus, Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania, although the name is much rarer elsewhere in Europe.

The motto of Szmyts in Poland is: “Honor, Faith, Love and Perseverance”. This may suggest that the family has a long tradition of passing their values, morality and perseverance down through the generations, a belief that has taken root in many countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Szmyt

The surname Szmyt is a Polish patronymic surname that originated from the given name Szymek. The variants and spellings of this surname can vary depending on the area or region it was used in. Some of the common spellings of this surname are:

Szmyt, Smeyt, Smieyt, Shmyt, Szmiot, Szmeyt, Szmiet, Szmuit, Szmit, Szmitkajtis, Szmytkiewicz, Szmytkow, Szmyc, Szmet, Szmett, and Smieta.

It is also occasionally found with an additional suffix like -owa (feminine form) or -owski/-owski (masculine form). For example, Szmytowa or Szmytowski.

This surname is most widely spread in Poland, although some small populations may be found in other countries such as Belarus, Ukraine, and the United States. Variants of this surname have also been used in other parts of Europe, particularly in Hungary, where the spelling Szmít is most commonly found.

Szmyt is also occasionally encountered as an additional name or part of a longer name. Other surnames that may be related to Szmyt include Szmikiel, Smika, Smieta, Szmań, and Szmiłek. All of these are derived from the same root name of Szymek.

In conclusion, Szmyt is a Polish patronymic surname derived from the given name Szymek, and its variants and spellings can vary depending on the region which it was used in. This surname is widely spread in Poland and some other countries, such as Belarus, Ukraine, and the United States. Variants of this surname such as Szmít are also found in Hungary. Additionally, there are a few related surnames that may be associated with Szmyt.

Famous people with the name Szmyt

• Olga Szmyt: professional Polish basketball player who participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
• Jacek Szmyt: former Polish politician and lawyer who served in the Sejm from 1997-2001.
• Jadwiga Szmyt-Kaczmarczyk: Polish painter and printmaker known for her emotionally deep portraits.
• Marcin Szmyt: Polish poets and songwriter who has written lyrics for many artists including T.Love and Kasia Popowska.
• Tomasz Szmyt: professional classical guitarist based in Poland who has played in numerous concerts and festivals around Europe.
• Mikołaj Szmyt: Polish politician and economist who served as a Member of Parliament from 2007 to 2011.
• Agnieszka Szmyt: Polish environmental activist, social worker, and artist whose work focuses on raising awareness of environmental and socio-cultural issues.
• Bartosz Szmyt: professional footballer who is currently playing for Śląsk Wrocław in the Ekstraklasa league.
• Andrzej Szmyt: Polish Olympic sport shooter who participated in several events at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
• Karina Szmyt: Polish singer and songwriter whose latest album, "Co Ty tutaj robisz" (What Are You Doing Here?), was released in 2014.

Other surnames

Szmyd