Surnames from the Netherlands

Patronymics were common until English rule began in 1687 and despite new guidelines on surnames being introduced, were largely retained until the Napoleonic period when everyone had to register a family name. As a result, many Dutch surnames are based on patronymics which had the endings '-se', '-sen', or '-szen' for a son (often abbreviated to '-z') and '-x' or '-dr' for a daughter. The prefixes '-van' and '-van der' indicate that the surname is adapted from a placename.

This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.

Copies may be made for personal use only.