Dewitt is a given name and surname of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch surname De Witt, meaning "the white", likely originally a nickname for someone with fair hair or a pale complexion. The name became common among Dutch immigrants to English-speaking countries, who often merged the surname into one word, either as Dewitt or with a capitalized third letter as DeWitt.EtymologyThe name traces back to the Dutch definite article de and witt, an archaic spelling of wit meaning "white." In the Netherlands, the surname De Witt is historically prominent, associated with the 17th-century Dutch statesmen Cornelis de Witt and Johan de Witt. Their infamous assassination by lynching in 1672 led to the English verb "to dewitt," meaning to lynch or kill a political opponent—a usage derived from the surname and recorded in dictionaries.Notable BearersA prominent bearer of this given name was DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828), an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator, Mayor of New York City, and the sixth Governor of New York. He played a key role in the construction of the Erie Canal. As a surname, Dewitt appears in the 2010 United States Census as the 1,338th most common surname, with many bearers across the country. The name also appears as a locality in News South Wales, Australia: Dewitt, in the MidCoast council area.Meaning: "the white"Origin: Dutch surname De WittType: Surname transferred to given nameUsage regions: English-speaking countries, especially United States