The stage is set: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. And guess who’s playing a starring role for the Fighting Irish? Salisbury-born kicker Mitch Jeter! He booted a game-winning 41-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in the Orange Bowl to get them to the big dance. “You know instantly if you made the kick or not,” Mitch said. “I watched it, and when I knew it was good, I kind of bolted out of there!” Now, Jeter’s ready to shine on the biggest stage in college football.

Of course, with a last name like Jeter and those clutch kicks, comparisons to Derek Jeter, the legendary New York Yankees shortstop, are inevitable. But are they related?

What is the connection between Mitch Jeter and Derek Jeter?

Derek Jeter and Mitch Jeter are not related, despite sharing the same last name—it’s just a coincidence. After playing for the New York Yankees for 20 years, the former shortstop was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

During his tenure with the Yankees, which lasted from 1995 to 2014, Jeter won five World Series. He frequently goes by his moniker, “the Captain,” which reflects his position as team leader. He was selected by the Yankees with the sixth overall choice in the 1992 MLB Draft following an outstanding high school career. After making his MLB debut on May 29, 1995, he immediately became a vital member of the Yankees. As the all-time leader in hits (3,465) and games completed (2,747), Jeter holds multiple Yankees franchise records. In terms of lifetime hits, he is first among shortstops and sixth overall in MLB history.

On the other hand, Mitch Jeter, a senior at Notre Dame, is a graduate of Cannon High School. Prior to the 2024 season, he transferred to Notre Dame as a graduate student after beginning his collegiate career at North Carolina. Between 2021 and 2023, Mitch played for South Carolina, where he started his collegiate career. He played in 46 games there and finished his senior year as the team’s top scorer. Among his many academic accolades were his many inclusions on the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. And he got the 2023 Jim Carlen Award as the special team’s MVP. He joined Notre Dame in Dec 2023, and as of January 2025, he had participated in 13 of their games.

Derek Jeter’s family roots are in New Jersey and Michigan, while Mitch Jeter’s are in North Carolina. So, not only are they not related, but they also come from different parts of the country. And of course, they have completely different career paths. But hey, you gotta admit, it’s pretty wild that they share the same last name—that’s a pretty rare coincidence!

Where did the surname ‘Jeter’ come from?

The name ‘Jeter’ actually has some interesting roots. It comes from the French province of Anjou and is linked to the Hebrew name Yehuda or Judah, which you might recognize from the Bible as one of Jacob’s sons. With its relatives holding prominent positions in the local culture and society, the Jeter family name initially rose to prominence in France.

However, some Jeter families journeyed to the northern continent during times of political and religious unrest, making great contributions to the cultural and social advancement of both Canada and the United States. Over time, the name gained increasing recognition in the US, especially because of those who rose to prominence in a variety of disciplines. With its blend of French, Jewish, and American ancestry, the surname Jeter has a rich history that reflects the larger tale of migration and cross-cultural interaction.

What is the historical migration of the Jeter family?

The Jeter family has a fascinating history, spanning centuries and continents. It all started in France, specifically in Maine-et-Loire. From there, the family journeyed to England, leaving a remarkable 12-generation legacy at St. Margaret’s Church. Fast forward to the 17th and 18th centuries, and French settlers, including some with the Jeter name, began arriving in North America. They played a crucial role in shaping communities in Quebec, Louisiana, and other parts of Canada.

Driven by the lucrative fur trade, thousands of adventurers, including those with the Jeter name, left Montreal during this period. Around 1700, John Jeter, a Huguenot, immigrated from England to Virginia, contributing to the growth of the British colonies.

By 1840, Virginia boasted the highest concentration of Jeter families in the United States, accounting for a significant 37% of the total. This incredible journey highlights the Jeter family’s resilience and adaptability as they navigated new lands while preserving their unique heritage.

What is the popularity of the ‘Jeter’ surname?

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the surname “Jeter” is ranked 2,729th in terms of popularity, making it rather uncommon in the U.S. Well, it popped up 13,198 times! To put that in perspective, if you randomly picked 100,000 people in the U.S., you’d probably find around four of them named Jeter. Texas, Maryland, and California have the highest concentrations of people with this last name. And here’s the interesting part: Between 1880 and 2014, the number of people with the last name Jeter increased by a whopping 619%

Notable people with this last name include American sprinter Carmelita Jeter, science fiction and horror writer K. W. Jeter, and renowned baseball player Derek Jeter. And now, Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter. As a result, the Jeter surname has established itself in a variety of domains, including literature and sports, which has helped to increase its recognition and slight predominance in the US.

Now let’s see if Mitch Jeter, son of Andrew and Stacy Jeter, can kick his way to a national championship—family legacy on the line!