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De Ruyter Family History

De Ruyter Surname Meaning

Flemish (also Deruyter) and Dutch: occupational name with the definite article de ‘the’ from Middle Dutch ruter ‘horseman’ particularly for a warrior on horseback a cavalryman, hence also a topographic or habitational name referring to a house bearing a sign showing such a person.

The term ruter also meant ‘freebooter’ (see Rutter).

This is also an Americanized form of the more common Dutch variant De Ruijter.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

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Where is the De Ruyter family from?

You can see how De Ruyter families moved over time by selecting different census years. The De Ruyter family name was found in the USA in 1920. In 1920 there were 2 De Ruyter families living in Pennsylvania. This was about 40% of all the recorded De Ruyter's in USA. Pennsylvania had the highest population of De Ruyter families in 1920.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the De Ruyter surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

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What De Ruyter family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 3,000 census records available for the last name De Ruyter. Like a window into their day-to-day life, De Ruyter census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

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Passenger Lists

There are 642 immigration records available for the last name De Ruyter. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

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Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name De Ruyter. For the veterans among your De Ruyter ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average De Ruyter lifespan?

Between 1976 and 2004, in the United States, De Ruyter life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1984, and highest in 1993. The average life expectancy for De Ruyter in 1976 was 73, and 78 in 2004.

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