Smets is a Dutch occupational surname, particularly common in the Belgian provinces of Antwerp and Flemish Brabant, where approximately 11,000 people bore this name in 1998. It is a Flemish variant of Smit, the Dutch equivalent of the English surname Smith, derived from Middle Dutch smit meaning "metalworker, blacksmith." However, an alternative origin points to Smets being a contraction of "des Mets," itself short for "des Metselaars" ("the mason's son"), linking it to the building trade rather than metalwork. Etymology The surname Smets belongs to a family of occupational names common across Germanic languages, all rooted in the Old English smitan ("to strike") or Middle Dutch smit ("blacksmith"). Cognates include German Schmid, English Smythe, and Dutch variants such as De Smedt, De Smet, and Smet. The -ets suffix is characteristic of Flemish diminutive or patronymic forms, though the exact derivation remains debated. Geographical Distribution Smets is heavily concentrated in Flanders, particularly in the provinces of Antwerp and Flemish Brabant in northern Belgium. The name also appears, though less frequently, in the Netherlands and among diaspora communities such as in France and the United States. Notable Bearers Alexander Smets (1795–1862), French philanthropist Dieudonné Smets (1901–1981), Belgian road cyclist Henri Smets (1896–1994), Belgian cross country athlete Joël Smets (born 1969), Belgian motocross rider, multiple world champion Rob Smets (born 1959), American rodeo bullfighter and commentator Sonja Smets, Belgian and Dutch logician Wilhelm Smets (1796–1848), German writer, journalist and politician Modern Usage Beyond a surname, SMETS is also an acronym for Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications, a British standard for home smart meters, though the connection to the surname is entirely coincidental. Meaning: "metalworker, blacksmith" (possibly also "mason") Origin: Dutch (Flemish) Type: Occupational surname Usage regions: Belgium (Antwerp, Flemish Brabant) Related forms: Smit, Smet, Smits, Smeets, De Smet, De Smedt