Surname van de Water - Meaning and Origin
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van de Water: What does the surname van de Water mean?
The last name van de Water is a Dutch phrase meaning “of the water.” This surname originates from when families located near bodies of water would take the name, often with the addition of the word “van,” which means “from.” Other sources suggest that is is an occupational name for someone who works with water, meaning a sailor, fisherman or by extension, a shipbuilder.
The origin is from the Netherlands, but countries like Belgium, and regions of France, South Africa, and Namibia also adopted similar versions of the surname. It is a common name and variants still exist in the Netherlands today. The contemporary spelling is most commonly Vandeweert or Vandewater, but however it is spelled, this surname denotes one of the oldest traditions of the Dutch: living by, on, and with the water.
The popularity of the name may have carried on through the years, but being connected to the water has held a special place in Dutch culture. This name reflects the close relationship between the Dutch and the sea. Even today, many men, women, and children refer to the Netherlands as the “Low Country,” an ancient reference to the country’s proximity to the North Sea.
For this reason, the name van de Water represents not only an ancient tradition, but a proud connection to the environment and culture of the Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisvan de Water: Where does the name van de Water come from?
The last name van de Water is most common in the Netherlands, though it is found in many other countries too. In the Netherlands, it is considered a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the father's given name. The surname is also common in Belgium and Luxembourg, where it ranks among the top hundred names.
In the United States, the last name is less common. It is most prevalent in the state of Michigan, where it ranks as the 163rd most common name. New Jersey is the second most popular state for the name, ranking as the 241st most common name. Other states where van de Water is relatively common include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The surname can also be found in Europe. It is most common in the northwestern part of Germany and in the Netherlands. It is also relatively common in the Scandinavian countries, especially Finland and Sweden.
A search of records in countries outside of Europe also reveals a few families with the last name van de Water. Those countries include Suriname, Australia, Canada, and South Africa.
Overall, the van de Water surname is most common in the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, and Michigan.
Variations of the surname van de Water
The surnames van de Water and Vandewater are variants of the same origin. They both originate from Low German and Dutch. The surname Van de Water is a toponymic surname meaning someone who is from or lives at "the waters."
Van de Water can be spelt in multiple ways, for example Vandewater, Vande Water, Vondewater, Vande Water, VandeWater, Vondewatere, Vandewatier, Vandewater, and Vandewetter.
Surnames with similar spellings and a similar origin include Vande Water, Vandewater, Vonderwater, Vondewatt, Vondewater, Vandewat, Vandewatier, Vandewalle, and Vandewetten.
Van de Water is a common surname found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries of Dutch origin. It is also found in various countries in other European countries, especially in former Dutch colonies such as South Africa, where it is the most common surname. It is also found in part of America, especially Dutch and Flemish immigrants, as well as places like Canada, the United States, Suriname, and French Guiana.
Van de Water is a part of a larger group of surnames derived from a water or watering hole, and there are many related Dutch surnames.
Van de Water is also known as Waterman, meaning 'the waterman.' The Van de Water family can be traced back to the 11th century and the village of Waterdune in the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name van de Water
- Arie van de Water: former Dutch chess grandmaster.
- Victor van de Water: American animator and voice actor who worked with Disney.
- Tohoru Masamune: Japanese-American actor known for his portrayal of Mr. van de Water in the 2012 movie The Watch.
- Dennis van de Water: Dutch venture capitalist and entrepreneur.
- Cor van de Water: Dutch artist who specializes in murals and sculptures.
- Jelle van de Watering: Dutch publisher and editor.
- Bram van de Water: Dutch author and screenwriter.
- Marcel van de Water: Dutch graphic designer and illustrator.
- Job van de Water: Dutch physicist and professor.
- Mirjam van de Water: Dutch jazz vocalist.