Surname Verstraaten - Meaning and Origin

Verstraaten: What does the surname Verstraaten mean?

The last name Verstraaten is a Dutch name derived from the Low German word 'versterten' which means 'to widen', 'to expand' or 'to straighten'. It could also be related to the Dutch word 'versteren' which means 'to solidify'. The name is commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and also in England and France.

Traditionally, Verstraaten is a patronymic surname meaning it is derived from the given name of the original bearer's father. It is likely the name is associated most closely with North Germanic and Dutch languages and culture. The name may have been born by those who lived in an area that was expanding, straightening, and/or solidifying.

The name is also found spelled as: Verstraat, Verstraete, Verstraeten, Verstraeteren, Verstraatman, Versraeten, Verstraaten, Verstraathen, Verstraeten van der Volker, Verstraeten and Verstraetentijd.

Throughout history, those with the surname Verstraaten have been involved in many different professions, from farming to engineering. The name has likely evolved over the years, but its original meaning has remained the same.

The last name Verstraaten is a reminder of the hardworking and ambitious nature of those who bore the name, their determination and perseverance to make the most of what they had.

Verstraaten: Where does the name Verstraaten come from?

The last name Verstraaten is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. According to a recent survey, Verstraaten is the 90th most common Dutch surname, with approximately 13,544 people in the Netherlands sharing the name. It is particularly common in the provinces of Zeeland and Limburg and can also be found in other regions, including Western Germany, South Africa, Canada, and the United States.

The origin of the name Verstraaten is believed to derived from a combination of two Middle Dutch words - ‘straat’ and ‘aet’. The word ‘straat’ is a reference to the medieval roads which preached the name, and ‘aet’ refers to a place of residence on one of those roads. The likely meaning of Verstraaten is ‘someone from the street’.

The surname Verstraaten is still relatively common today, though not as much as some other Dutch names. It has, however, spread to other countries such as the United States, Canada, and South Africa due to emigration of Dutch-speaking people over the centuries.

Verstraaten is a common name within the Netherlands and serves as a reminder of the country’s historical legacy and the long-standing relations between Dutch people and their ancestral lands.

Variations of the surname Verstraaten

Verstraaten is a Dutch-origin surname that likely originated from a place-name. Variants and spellings of the surname include Verstraten, Verstrat, Verstraet, Verstraeet, and de Verdstraete. The Dutch prefix “Ver-” often means “from” or “of,” so variants of the surname could be derived directly from a place-name or an ancestor who lived near that place. Thus, surnames related to Verstraaten may include other “Ver-” names containing a related place-name, such as Vervest, Verellen, Verniest, and Verslype.

Verstraaten is also thought to be a patronymic surname, which means it was derived from the name of an ancestor. Surnames of this type usually end with “-sen” or “-sz” in Dutch, so Verstraaten may have originally been the surname of the son of Straat, who was the name of an ancestor. Variants and spellings of this type could be Straatman, Straatmans, Straatboom, and Straates.

Other similar surnames may have been derived from Dutch nicknames or descriptions that contained the word “straat.” Surnames of this type could include Straatjes, Straatweg, Straatveld, and Straathof. Verstraaten is also commonly found in Belgium, so variants of the surname could be Verstraete, Verstra vit, and Van de Straete, which is a form of the surname found in Flanders.

Famous people with the name Verstraaten

• Michelle Verstraaten: Dutch professional snowboarder, athlete, and Olympian
• Gijs Verstraaten: Dutch Police Commissioner
• Fons Verstraaten: Dutch former football player and midfield manager
• Henriette Verstraaten: Dutch Social Democrat politician, Member of the European Parliament
• Simon Verstraaten: Dutch professional football player
• Karel Verstraaten: Dutch fiction writer
• Max Verstraaten: Dutch marine artist
• Job Verstraaten: Dutch entrepreneur, founder of 24HOURS and EDITED
• Jack Verstraaten: Dutch professional Dj
• Agnes Verstraaten: Dutch professional artist

Other surnames

Verstraate