200 Common Dutch Last Names (From Patronymic to Descriptive)

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Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson goes over common Dutch surnames & explains where they come from

Co-authored by Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: November 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Popular Names
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• Common
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• Patronymic
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• Geographic
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• Occupational
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• Descriptive
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• Unusual
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• Uncommon
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• Frisian
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• Dutch Last Name Origins

|Show more |Show less

Dutch last names are some of the oldest surnames in the U.S. They can vary from names based on family and location to occupation. To dig deeper, read on for our list of 200 Dutch last names and their meanings, from the popular to the uncommon, with help from naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson. You’ll also find out more about the origins of how Dutch last names were formed.

Common Dutch Surnames

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson says many Dutch surnames are patronymic, geographic, occupational, or descriptive. Common examples include:

• Patronymic: Janssen, Pieters, Hendriks
• Geographic: Ter Horst, Van der Meer, Van Dijk
• Occupational: Bakker, Smit, Visser
• Descriptive: De Groot, De Lange, De Wit

Steps

Section 1 of 10:

Popular Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   Popular Dutch names vary in meaning. Dr. Wilson says most Dutch surnames fall into 4 categories: patronymic names, which are from a father’s name; toponymic names, which are based on a place or geographic location; occupational names, which are based on a job or trade; and descriptive names, which are based on appearances or traits. De Jong is the most popular Dutch last name and is given to a younger son, or a son who is “junior.”

   • Akkerman — “Farm belonging to Akker.”
   • Berkenbosch — “Grove of birch trees”
   • De Jong — “The young.”
   • De Klerk — “Clerk.”
   • Drees — Nickname of Andries, meaning “manly.”
   • Hagen — “Hedge.”
   • Hummel — “Busy as a bee.”
   • Janssen — “Son of Jan.”
   • Jonckers — “Young lord.”
   • Kappel — “Person who works in a chapel.”
   • Klein — “Little” or “small.”
   • Kuiper — “Barrel repairman.”
   • Langbroek — “Wide meadow.”
   • Loman — “Meadow.”
   • Meijer — “Landlord.”
   • Rademaker — “Wheel maker.”
   • Roosevelt — “Rose field.”
   • Van Aalsburg — “Noble fortress.”
   • Van Alphen — A town in the Netherlands.
   • Van Der Beek — “From the creek.”
   • Van Der Stoep — “From the paved entrance.”
   • Van Der Veen — “Swamp” or “marsh.”
   • Van Horn — “Someone who plays a horn.”

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming consultant and childhood expert. She shares name meanings and naming tips with her over 20k followers on her Instagram, @little_name_library.
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Section 2 of 10:

Common Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   These names represent the most common variation among Dutch surnames. They include traditional Dutch spellings of names that describe a particular place, like Leeuwenhoek, meaning “lion’s corner.” Many of them include the Dutch “van” prefix, which indicates “from” or “of.” Dutch last names with “van” are often used to reflect a person’s birthplace or heritage.

   • Casparij — “Treasurer.”
   • Colijn — “Victory of the people.”
   • Cruyssen — “Cross.”
   • Elzinga — “Alder tree.”
   • Heeren — “Lord” or “gentleman.”
   • Joosten — Short form of Joost.
   • Leeuwenhoek — “Lion’s corner.”
   • Offermans — “Offering” or “donation.”
   • Oomen — “Maternal uncle.”
   • Spiker — “Granary.”
   • TerAvest — “At the edge.”
   • Van Achteren — “From behind.”
   • Van Aggelen — Named for the Egchel province.
   • Van Amstel — “Water area.”
   • Van As — “Ash tree.”
   • Van Dalen — “From the valley.”
   • Van Der Vliert — “From the elderberry.”
   • Van Dijk — “From the dike.”
   • Van Hassel — “Hazel tree.”
   • Van Wegberg — “Way to the mountain.”
   • Verhoeven — “Farm.”
   • Vervloet — “From the stream.”
   • Westenberg — “West of the mountain.”

Section 3 of 10:

Patronymic Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   Names based on lineage refer to a parent’s first name. According to Dr. Wilson, patronymic names were once the most common type of Dutch surname. She says, “Families identified children as ‘the son of’ or ‘the daughter of’ someone.” Dr. Wilson explains that these originally changed with each generation, but eventually they became fixed family names.

   • Aalfs — “Son of Aalf.”
   • Claasen — “Son of Klaas.”
   • Cornelissen — “Son of Cornelius.”
   • Flipsen — “Son of Filip.”
   • Fransen — “Son of Franz.”
   • Goossens — “Son of Goswin.”
   • Hendriks — “Son of Hendrik.”
   • Jaspers — “Son of Jasper.”
   • Jorritsma — “Jorrit’s son.”
   • Leenders — “Son of Leendert.”
   • Martens — “Son of Martin.”
   • Meeuwsen — “Son of Meewus.”
   • Otto — “Son of Odo.”
   • Peters — “Son of Peter.”
   • Prinsen — “Son of Prince.”
   • Reichard — “Son of Reichard.”
   • Segers — “Son of Zieger.”
   • Stegenga — “Descendent of Steigunc.”
   • Theunissen — “Son of Theunis.”
   • Willemsen – “William's son.”
   • Wilms — “Descendant of Wilhelm.”
   • Yancy — “Son of Jan.”
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Section 4 of 10:

Geographic Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   Locational last names mention or describe a place name. Dr. Wilson explains that “many Dutch names describe where someone lived or came from,” which can “include towns, farms, or natural features.” Some of these Dutch names mention actual regions or towns in the Netherlands, like Altena, Baardwijk, or Schoorl. Others mention something about the location itself, like “Eikenboom,” meaning “oak tree,” or Achterberg, meaning “behind a hill.”

   • Aaldenberg — “Old mountain.”
   • Aarle — “From the Netherlands.”
   • Abbingh — “Abbe’s farm.”
   • Abspoel — Name of an estate in South Holland.
   • Achterberg — “Behind a hill.”
   • Adrichem — “Adrik’s home.”
   • Altena — A town in the Netherlands.
   • Baardwijk — “From Baardwijk.”
   • Bezuidenhout — “South forest.”
   • Daalmans — “People living in a valley.”
   • Dam — “Pond.”
   • Eikenboom — “Oak tree.”
   • Rietveld — “Reed field.”
   • Roggeveen — “Rye field.”
   • Romeijnders — “Person from Rome.”
   • School — “Those who live near a school.”
   • Schoorl — A town named Schoorl.
   • Ter Horst — “At the wood.”
   • Tisza — Name of a river in Hungary.
   • Van Amelsvoort — “Ford of the Amer River.”
   • Van Breda — “From Breda.”
   • Van den Berg — “From the mountain or hill.”
   • Van der Meer — “From the lake.”
   • Van Donk — “Sandy hill.”
   • Van Kan — “From Kanne, Belgium.”

Section 5 of 10:

Occupational Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   Occupations represent many of the meanings behind Dutch names. Dr. Wilson explains that occupational surnames describe a person’s profession, similar to how Baker and Smith are common in English. Some more popular jobs, like blacksmith, have a few last names, like Smit and the more uncommon Funck. Other surnames refer to a person’s title, like one of many B last names that include Baas, meaning “boss,” and date back to medieval names used in the Middle Ages.

   • Baas — “Boss” or “master.”
   • Bakker — “Baker.”
   • Beenhouwer – “Butcher.”
   • Bouwmeester — “Architect.”
   • Coeman — “Merchant.”
   • De Jaager — “The hunter.”
   • De Keizer — “The emperor.”
   • Dekker — “Thatcher.”
   • Drukker — “Printer.”
   • Hoedemaker — “Hat maker.”
   • Houtkooper — “Wood trader.”
   • Koning — “King.”
   • Mesman — “Knife maker.”
   • Nagel — “Nail.”
   • Slootmaekers — “Locksmiths.”
   • Smit — “Blacksmiths.”
   • Spijker — “Nailsmith.”
   • Teuling – “Toll taker.”
   • Timmerman – “Carpenter.”
   • Ververs — “Painter.”
   • Visser — “Fisher.”
   • Waterman — “Ferryman.”
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Section 6 of 10:

Descriptive Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   Many names describe a place, a thing, or a person. Dr. Wilson says many Dutch surnames are based on a person’s traits, size, or coloring. Some better-known ones include Vogel, meaning “bird,” and “De Haas,” meaning “hare.” More random selections, like Borst, for “chest,” or Ruisch, for the “sound of wind and water,” vary. Both Bos and Holst refer to the “woods” or “forest.”

   • Alderliesten — “Most dearest.”
   • Blauw — “Blue,” possibly referring to blue eyes or clothing.
   • Boelen — “Bold.”
   • Boogaard — “From the orchard.”
   • Borst — “Chest.”
   • Bos — “Woods.”
   • De Groot — “The tall or great.”
   • De Haas — “Hare.”
   • De Lange — “The long or tall one.”
   • De Wees — “Orphan.”
   • De Windt — “The wind.”
   • De Witt — “The blond.”
   • De Wolfswinkel — “Wolf’s store.”
   • Franck — “Free man.”
   • Groff — “Boorish man.”
   • Haak — “Hook.”
   • Holst — “Forest.”
   • Muyskens — “Little mouse.”
   • Ruisch — “Sound of wind or water.”
   • Van der Molen — “From the mill.”
   • Van der bijl — “From the axe.”
   • Vinke — “Little bird.”
   • Vogel — “Bird.”
   • Vroom — “Pious.”

Section 7 of 10:

Unique Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   These names stand out with particular or detailed meanings. Their categories vary, but between Roosa, meaning “rose,” and Ryskamp, meaning “camp,” Dutch names prove that they can be either pretty or cool. Nature-related names include Beekhof, for “garden brook,” and Braam, for “blackberry.”

   • Anholts — “To hold for some time.”
   • Beekhof — “Garden brook.”
   • Braam — “Blackberry.”
   • Dijkstra — “From the road.”
   • Fortuin — “Fortune.”
   • Funck — “Blacksmith.”
   • Geels — “Son of Gailo.”
   • Kikkert — “Frog.”
   • Mulder — “Miller.”
   • Peerenboom — “Pear tree.”
   • Roosa — “Rose.”
   • Ryskamp — “Camp.”
   • Strom — “Stream.”
   • Van Laar — “Open spot in a forest.”
   • Van Middelburg — “Middle fortress.”
   • Van Rompaey — “Wide path.”
   • Van Valkenburg — “Castle of the falcons.”
   • Van Zijl — “From the waterway.”
   • Van der Heide — “From the heath.”
   • Van der Verstappen — “From the steps.”
   • Verboom — “From the tree.”
   • Zaal — “Hall.”
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Section 8 of 10:

Uncommon Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   The following names range from uncommon to rare. Some aren’t seen very often, like Kneynsberg, used to describe a place called “rabbit’s hill.” Others include unusual or funny surnames, like Gekkenhuis, meaning an “insane asylum,” or Naaktgeboren, meaning “born naked.” The longest among them is Vandroogenbroeck, given to someone who comes “from the dry marsh.”

   • Aakster — “Magpie.”
   • Anker — “Anchor.”
   • De Quant — “The prankster.”
   • Gekkenhuis — “Insane asylum.”
   • Gerbrandy — “Of Gerbrancy Tower.”
   • Kneynsberg — “Rabbit hill.”
   • Naaktgeboren — “Born naked.”
   • Nouwen — “New settlements.”
   • Paardebek — “Horse’s mouth.”
   • Poepjes — “Little poos.”
   • Scheefnek — “Crooked neck.”
   • Schenk — “Wine server.”
   • Schertzinger — “From Schertzinger.”
   • Suikerbuik — “Sugar belly.”
   • Van Draak — “From dragon.”
   • Van Zutphen — “From Zutphen.”
   • Van der Vuurst – “From the Vuursche.”
   • Vandroogenbroeck — “From the dry marsh.”
   • Vrooman — “Wise man.”
   • Westhuizen — “From the houses in the west.”
   • Zelle — “Cell.”
   • Zonderkop — “Headless.”

Section 9 of 10:

Frisian Dutch Last Names

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1. 
   Frisian names are primarily used by Frisians living in Friesland. Frisians are a Germanic ethnic group living in the Dutch province of Friesland who have a distinct culture and identity. Their names are often slightly different variations of Dutch surnames, like Dykstra, instead of Dijkstra.

   • Agema — “Son of Age.”
   • Alkema — “Son of Alk.”
   • Alma — “Son of Ale.”
   • Alserda — “From Alserd farm.”
   • Anema — “Son of Ane.”
   • Anjema — “From Anjum.”
   • Aukema — “Son of Auk.”
   • Baarda — “From Baard.”
   • Baarsma — “From Beers.”
   • Bakema — “Son of Bake.”
   • Barwegen — “Road to the dike.”
   • Bootsma — “Boatsman.”
   • Bouma — “Land worker.”
   • De Vries — “Someone from Friesland.”
   • Dykstra — “Dike.”
   • Fries — “Frisian.”
   • Herrema — “Lord” or “master.”
   • Laninga — “Land.”
   • Nicolai — “Son of Nicolas.”
   • Reinders — “Son of Reinhardt.”
   • Terpstra — “Lives on a terp.”
   • Van Wieren — “From Weiren.”
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Section 10 of 10:

Origin of Dutch Last Names

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1. Dutch last names are mainly based on parentage, geography, and occupation. According to Dr. Wilson, “The use of permanent surnames in the Netherlands became widespread in the early 19th century.” She notes that “Dutch surnames grew out of everyday life—from family lineage to local geography and trades” and “reflect centuries of history, migration, and regional dialects.” Dr. Wilson says, “They often reveal fascinating clues about where a family originated or what their ancestors did for a living.”

   • Before surnames were mandated, Dr. Wilson says, “Many Dutch people didn’t have fixed family names” and only used patronymics. “When surnames were suddenly required,” she explains, “people had to register a permanent one.”
   • Dr. Wilson adds that “there’s a popular (though partly exaggerated) story that some families chose silly names as a joke, thinking the rule would be temporary.” She says surnames like Naaktgeboren (meaning “born naked”) and Zeldenthuis (meaning “rarely at home”) might come from this time.
   • Prefixes, including "van," "de," and "van der," became a very common way to recognize Dutch surnames. They indicate where someone is “of” or “from.”
   • Dr. Wilson notes that “the prefix van (‘from’) is extremely common in Dutch surnames and doesn’t necessarily indicate nobility.”

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