in the lastnames
2006-06-29 10:46:11 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It means from (referring to a place or region rather than a family), but it's long since had a specific connotation to it. It means you come from an important family. They were probably land-owning and had a title at some point.
2006-06-29 10:57:36 · answer #1 · answered by Caritas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Above is correct. Van in Dutch is equivalent to the German "von" which refers to either a region, town or a family (clan) with a long line. To carry "von" in your name used to be an indication of one's nobility or high birth or wealth.
2006-06-29 17:57:29 · answer #2 · answered by scubalady01 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means "From" I believe. So something like "vandenberg" would be "From Denberg" (presumably a Dutch town or village).
2006-06-29 17:50:22 · answer #3 · answered by tharrison13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋