Last Name Gogh

The surname Van Gogh is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Old Dutch word "van den Goch", meaning "from the village named Goch". The village of Goch is located in the province of Brabant in the Netherlands. The Van Gogh family can be traced back to a small farming community around this area during the 16th century. The famous artist Vincent van Gogh was born into this family in 1853, although it should be noted that his name was originally spelled "Gogh" without the "van".

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gogh

The meaning and origin of the last name Gogh

The surname Van Gogh is a Dutch name derived from the occupation of a coachman or driver, specifically someone who drove a 'gooiwagen' - a type of cart used for transporting goods in the Gooi region near Amsterdam. The name 'Van' means 'of' or 'from' and was commonly added to names in the Netherlands as a way to indicate where one was originally from. Vincent van Gogh, the famous Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, is one of the most notable individuals bearing this surname. His work includes iconic pieces such as "The Starry Night" and "Sunflowers." The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the world's largest collection of his works and those of his contemporaries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gogh

The surname Van Gogh, famously associated with the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, predominantly originates from the Netherlands. According to genealogical databases, Van Gogh is most frequently found in the southern part of the country, particularly in and around the cities of Zundert and Tilburg, which are believed to be the origins of Vincent van Gogh's family. Outside of the Netherlands, the surname Van Gogh also appears in other European countries such as Belgium, France, and Germany due to historical migration patterns and Dutch colonialism. Additionally, it has been adopted by individuals worldwide due to popular culture and the legacy of Vincent van Gogh.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gogh

The surname Van Gogh, popularly associated with the renowned Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, has several variations and alternative spellings. These include but are not limited to:

1. Van Gogh (most common) - the original Dutch surname as used by Vincent van Gogh himself.
2. Van Goch - a misspelling that incorrectly replaces the "g" with a "c".
3. Gogh van Gogh - an inverted version of the original name, though it is not commonly used.
4. de Gogh and Van der Gogh - these are prefixes sometimes added to Dutch surnames for additional nobility or prestige, although Vincent did not use them himself.
5. VanGo - a simplified and modernized spelling that removes the "h" at the end of the second "Gogh".
6. Gogh-O'Keeffe - a combined surname that results from the marriage between Georgia O'Keeffe, an American modernist artist, and John Haynes Drummond, who changed his last name to Gogh in tribute to Vincent van Gogh.
7. Gaugh - another misspelling that replaces the "o" with an "a".
8. Gauck - a phonetic variant due to differences in pronunciation between English and Dutch speakers.

Famous people with the last name Gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), the post-impressionist Dutch painter, is the most well-known individual associated with the surname Gogh. Born in Zundert, Netherlands, he is celebrated for his unique and emotive works such as "The Starry Night," "Sunflowers," and "Café Terrace at Night." Despite having little commercial success during his lifetime, Van Gogh's work gained recognition after his death, and today, he is considered one of the greatest artists in history. Another notable figure with the last name Gogh is Theo van Gogh (1857-1891), Vincent's younger brother. He was a Dutch art dealer who supported Vincent financially during his struggles and collected his artwork. Theo also played an essential role in promoting Vincent's work posthumously.

Genealogical research on the last name Gogh

The surname Gogh, often associated with the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh, originates from the Netherlands. It is a form of the Dutch and Belgian toponymic surname 'van den Berg' or 'van de Berg,' which means 'from the hill.' Over time, due to various spelling variations and regional pronunciation differences, the name evolved into the forms Gogh, Goch, and Van Gogh. The Van Goghs were a predominantly Dutch family, with origins dating back to the 14th century in the region of Brabant, which is now part of modern-day Netherlands and Belgium. The artist Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was one of the most famous members of this lineage, renowned for his unique and influential contributions to Post-Impressionist art.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "gogh"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 26 July 2025

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