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The essay Fan âlder ta foarâlder investigates the origin of my surname Van der Veer, by exploring my Frisian father line back to the end of the Frisian-Hollandic wars.
The family name Van der Veer is neither frequent nor rare in the Netherlands. A popular though unconfirmed explanation for this family name goes back to the Heren vander Vere mentioned in the Divisiekroniek from 1517, who descended from the vanished noble family Van Borselen. The title Markies van Veere now belongs to our Royal Family. In my case however, the origin of our last name is not as chivalrous. I should start with the observation that France plays a role in my personal history. Not only does the family of my mother's mother descend from French who fled to the Low Countries because of their religious beliefs, France also played a role in my last name being Van der Veer. Let me explain.
The French occupation of the Dutch Republic from 1795 to 1813 changed our country from a decentralised federation into a unitary state. A registre civique was introduced that arguably still is in use today in modern form. However, this civic register required Frisians to use family names instead of traditional patronymics. My essay discusses the deed from 1811 by which my Frisian ancestor Andries Sjoerds, great-grandfather of my great-grandfather, assumed the surname Van der Veer for his family. This choice will have been role related - at the time he was a batelier d’ordonnance shipping goods between Eastermar and Ljouwert. In the essay I also argue that even though Frisians obliged, patronymics stayed in informal use until long after the French left.
© 2001-2026 J.M. van der Veer
jmvdveer@algol68genie.nl