silly question

[gemweeks]

im sorry if this is a really dumb question, but ive always wondered if there was a reason why so many dutch people have 'van' as part of their surname?

[cosyrosy]

van in dutch is like the german von - meaning "of" or belonging to - this explains it better than i can

http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/ucklaassen1f. htm

[Adampy]

If you translate VAN into Afrikaans which is derived from Dutch is means "from".

Therfore a name like Jan van De Merwe

Means

Jan (the person) Van (from) De Merwe (Family name)

Therefore

Jan Desends from the De Merwe Family

This is of course is not really followed anymore and the Van has over the years been incorperated into the name leaving the family name as Van De Merwe

Afrikaans is basically the same as Dutch but with a different dialect. Does that help?

[Adampy]

Oh yes, It's not a dumb question.

[mightyWBA]

We English have "Van" to describe an inconsiderate motorist. The very common "White Van Man".

He can be seen every day up and down the country terrorising innocent people.

[stanleyman]

Can we not get him to van-ish? Sorry.

[gemweeks]

so glad that i finally know the answer to that! thanks!!