Surname van Wilgen - Meaning and Origin
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van Wilgen: What does the surname van Wilgen mean?
The last name van Wilgen is of Dutch origin, and it is thought to be derived from the Dutch words "van" and "wilgen", which can be translated in English as "from the willows". Generally, surnames such as this one were derived from a place or location. It is possible that the originators of the name had been living near a large willow tree or a willow grove.
The spelling of the name has changed slightly over the centuries, and other variations include van Wilge, van Wylgen, van Willen, van Wygen, and van Wilgenaar. Today, the name is mostly found in Holland and other parts of Europe.
Van Wilgen is likely an occupational surname, meaning that the original carriers of the name most likely made a living from or near a willow grove. They may have harvested willow trees for their natural products, such as wicker baskets, or even to use as firewood. It is also possible that they would have used the wood for building purposes.
Surnames such as van Wilgen are an important part of history, as they act as an important reminder of one’s ancestral and heritage. Many people today still bear the name, and are proud to be associated with this part of their past.
Order DNA origin analysisvan Wilgen: Where does the name van Wilgen come from?
The last name van Wilgen is a Dutch name, and is therefore common in Dutch-speaking countries, especially in the Netherlands. It is also somewhat common in countries where there are large Dutch diasporas, such as Canada and the United States.
In the Netherlands, the name is found mainly in northern provinces such as Groningen, Friesland, Overi:Jssel and Dren:ther in Holland. It is also found in other provinces including Gelderland and Limburg.
In Canada, the name van Wilgen is relatively common in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The Winnipeg area is also home to a number of families with the name van Wilgen.
In the United States, the van Wilgen name is found in a variety of states including California, Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. It's also popular in Wisconsin and New York.
Overall, the name van Wilgen is relatively uncommon in the world, but is common in Dutch-speaking countries and those countries with a large Dutch community. It is also popular in certain US states like Wisconsin and New York.
Variations of the surname van Wilgen
The van Wilgen surname has Dutch origins, and is a patronymic name which originated from the combination of the words "van" and "Wilgen". This name literally translates to "from Wilgen". There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the name van Wilgen. Some of these include Wilgens, Wilgensz, Wilginson, Wilginsonn, Wilgen, Wilgenszoon, Wilgenson, Wilgenssen, Wilghusen, and Wilgensdorff among others.
The popular Dutch variation of the name "Van Wilgen" or "van der Wilgen" is derived from the combination of the prefix "van." or "van der" and the first syllable of the Dutch word for willow ("wilgen"), also spelled Wilgen. The spelling Wilgen originated in the Middle Ages and was initially used as a location identifier. A simplified spelling of the surname Wilgenszoon, appears as the diminutive form, which literally translates to "Son of Wilgen".
The patronymic name Wilgonson emerged from the combination of the father's name "Wilgen" and the suffix "-son" which originally denoted "son of". Wilgenson and Wilgenssen are the Norwegian variant of the surname, formed by adding "sen" after the father's name. Similarly, Wilghusen is derived from the combination of Wilge and the suffix "husen". Wilgensdorff is a geographical variant, which means "from the Wilgens' place".
Famous people with the name van Wilgen
- Bill van Wilgen: a successful American entrepreneur and business executive.
- Johan van Wilgen: a Dutch Newscaster popularly known as "Johan the Voice."
- Peter van Wilgen: Dutch pianist and composer, best known for his modern classical piano compositions.
- Robert van Wilgen: a Dutch artist and sculptor.
- Wilhelmina van Wilgen: a Dutch landscape painter and portraitist.
- Robijn van Wilgen: a Dutch singer-songwriter and actor.
- Erik van Wilgen: a Dutch professional football player.
- Chris van Wilgen: Dutch CEO, founder, and managing director of a major international software development company.
- Jeffrey van Wilgen: Dutch professional water polo player.
- Henk van Wilgen: a Dutch journalist, writer, and broadcaster.