Blame The French
Before 1811 few Dutch people had last names. They used their fathers’ names to differentiate between two persons with the same name; like Peet van Joop – Joop being the name of Peet’s father. This is still very much the case in many countries today. Like David Ben Gurion; David the son of Gurion.When Napoleon Bonaparte invaded and annexed the Netherlands in 1811, the Dutch were required to register; and they were required to have a last name. So last names had to be invented.
Some people simply used their fathers’ names, Hendriks (Hendrik’s son) and Petersen (Peter’s son)
Others used their professions such as Visser (fisherman), Kuiper (cooper), Mulder (miller), Brouwer (brewer) and De Boer (the farmer)
A number of people used their whereabouts or origins to make up a last name. Examples of this would be Van Dijk (from the dyke), Van Rijn (from the Rhine) and Van Den Berg (from the mountain).
Some other did not think that the French would stay for long and made fun of the French officials, exploiting their poor understanding of the language.
As a result De Keizer and De Koning were born. It was a great joke when asked, ‘Who are you?’ to answer ‘I’m the emperor!’ or ‘I’m the king!’
It did not stop there. Funny names like Schietekat (shoot the cat), Katschlachter (cat killer), Windvogel (wind bird??), Zeldenhuis (seldom at home), Den Uyl (the owl), Naaktgeboren (born naked) and Poepjes (poo!) caused endless amusement.
But the joke backfired. The French stayed for a while and the last names had taken root; and stayed.
Comments (38)
I know the same happened in Italy.
For example; Leonardo Da Vinci...means, from the town
or city of Vinci. So, Leonardo was from, Vinci.
thanks Del, fo the additional info. the Germans have a few funnies too, but not as plenty as the Dutch.
@Bungallow
Yes, my friend, the fuuny stuff stopped yesterday.
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It is not meant to be interesting, It is meant to be funny!
Hi to zMountainman too.
Sir Catfoot? Sounds good!
Did you get my business proposition on that Kruger millions job?
It is a fascinating area, as I am involved with genealogy, I have found quite a few “strange” origins of the surnames. Mostly, as you say, are resultant from: nicknames, physical attributes, counties, trades, and almost every object known.
For years I battled to get past the ninth back, until I discovered that my forefather who came to South Africa was illiterate and the Dutch officials spelled his name wrong in 1688. Since then I have discovered another five earlier generations in France.
I had pretty much the same problem, but had a lot of help from family .. and two years ago, we publish a book... it was interesting, as I found my "Portuguese" background originated in Germany, (later Italian, french, spanish and portuguese influence (1400s)).... and I was born in africa (an old colony from portugal)!!
I'm afraid not. The 5 bastions of the Castle in Cape Town were named circa 1680. Long before 1811. I'm not even certain if it is a surname.
Hmm, does that make the 'De Korte' family short people? And what about De Swart, De Bruin, De Geel and De Groen?
Names are hidden in the history, the language, the culture and the traditions of a nation. I know very little about India, the language(s) or the culture. But I'm sure your family names evolved like in any other country. I suspect that the Dutch and the English may also have had a hand in it!
Now I know some too!
By the way, who (or what) is OP as you refer in your comment?
Finland is something completely different... it's a language of their own.
I read that somewhere a long time ago. I tried to PM you for information about this when I composed this blog, but you have South Africa blocked. In the end I made do without it! Did not want to discuss it in public. A give away of what is to come.
To the french members i would like to say.. Sorry it's nothing personal.
Talking about the French, listen to this!
Chinese sailors have the name of their ship embroided on their hats; in Chinese letters.
Greek sailors have the name of their ship embroided on their hats; in Greek letters.
Russian sailors have the name of their ship embroided on their hats; in Russian letters.
Japanese sailors have the name of their ship embroided on their hats; in Japanese letters.
English sailors have the name of their ship embroided on their hats; in English letters.
French sailors have the name of their ship embroided on their hats; in
FrEnglish letters.I think the Walloon better stay away from France, they would be sorry.
once i asked a chinese gal what was her full name, and i heard an endless stream of sounds. i stopped her, because i forgot the first one with whitch she started, after all she asked me to call her Mary
Leeza