NomOrigine Background

Last Name Van-gogh

What is the origin of the last name Van-gogh?

The surname Van Gogh originates from the Netherlands and is a toponymic name, meaning "from the meadow" or "from the village." The name is derived from the Dutch words 'van' meaning 'of' or 'from', and 'Hoeve' or 'Gogh' which were place names in the South Brabant region where Vincent van Gogh was born. In the Netherlands, toponymic surnames are common and often indicate a person's origin from a specific village or land parcel.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Van-gogh

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Van-gogh

The meaning and origin of the last name Van-gogh

The surname Van Gogh originates from the Netherlands and is derived from the Dutch word "van" which means "of" or "from", followed by the name of the place where the family originally resided. In this case, the suffix "Gogh" comes from the village of Groot-Zundert in Brabant, where Vincent van Gogh's ancestors lived. The Van Gogh family is believed to have originated from the region of North Brabant, which was part of the Duchy of Brabant during the Middle Ages. It is important to note that the name Van Gogh did not become commonly associated with art until Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch post-impressionist painter, became famous for his work in the late 19th century.

Geographical distribution of the last name Van-gogh

The surname Van Gogh is predominantly Dutch and originates from the village of 't Potterij, within the southern Dutch province of Brabant. Vincent van Gogh, one of the most famous artists in history, hailed from this lineage. However, outside of the Netherlands, the name's distribution is relatively sparse. In the United States, it appears mostly in states with significant Dutch-American populations, such as Michigan, Illinois, and New York. Occasionally, it can also be found in other countries with a substantial Dutch immigrant population, like South Africa, Australia, and Canada. The global prevalence of the Van Gogh name is not widespread compared to more common surnames, but its association with Vincent van Gogh has given it international recognition.

Variants and spellings of the last name Van-gogh

The surname Van Gogh, associated with the renowned Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, has several spelling variations across different regions and historical periods. These include but are not limited to:

1. Van Gogh: This is the most common and well-known variation, typically used in English speaking countries.
2. Von Gogh: A Germanized version of the name, replacing the Dutch "van" with "von".
3. De Vos van Groenhoven-Van Gogh: This is a combined form of the Van Gogh family and another prominent Dutch family, De Vos van Groenhoven.
4. Van Goch: A less common spelling variation, which may result from transcription errors or regional dialects.
5. VanGough: An informal and less traditional variant that omits the hyphen between "Van" and "Gogh".
6. De Vos Van Gogh: Another combined form of the names, using "De Vos" instead of "Van Gogh".
7. Van Goeh: A rare misspelling or transcription error of the name.
8. Van Goo: An uncommon simplification or misinterpretation of the name.
9. De Gogh: A variation where "van" is dropped, which may not be considered accurate due to its importance in Dutch surnames.

Famous people with the last name Van-gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) is the most renowned individual associated with the surname Van Gogh. A Dutch post-impressionist painter, he is considered one of the greatest artists in Western art history. Known for his unique and emotional style, his works like "The Starry Night," "Sunflowers," and "Café Terrace at Night" are iconic in modern art. Despite experiencing mental health issues throughout his life, Van Gogh produced an immense body of work during the ten years he was active as a painter. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 37. Another prominent figure with the name Van Gogh is Theo van Gogh (1857-1891), Vincent's brother, who supported his artistic career financially and emotionally before passing away only a few months after his brother.

Genealogical research on the last name Van-gogh

The Van Gogh family originates from the southern Netherlands, specifically from the town of Zundert in the province of North Brabant. The surname Van Gogh is a toponymic name derived from the village 'Van der Goeden' where the family resided before adopting their current surname. The most renowned member of the Van Gogh family is Vincent van Gogh, born in 1853. He is considered one of the greatest painters in Western art history and produced over 2,000 artworks, including masterpieces such as "The Starry Night" and "Sunflowers". Vincent's brother Theo was also a significant figure, serving as a supporting influence on his artistic career. Their family tree includes several other Van Gogh descendants, some of whom have followed careers in arts and literature.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 29 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Van (Last name)

surnames > van

The last name "van" has Dutch origins. In Dutch, "van" means "from" or "of," and it is used as a preposition in surnames to indicate a person's origin or ancestral location. The us...

Van aarde (Last name)

surnames > van-aarde

The surname Van Aarde is of Dutch origin, specifically from the Netherlands. It is a locational surname, meaning it originally denoted someone who lived near a specific geographica...

Van accoleyen (Last name)

surnames > van-accoleyen

The last name "van accoleyen" is likely of Dutch or Flemish origin. The "van" in the surname typically indicates a connection to a specific place, while "accoleyen" could be a vari...

Van acks (Last name)

surnames > van-acks

The last name "van Acks" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname indicating a person's association with a particular place or region named Acks. The prefix "van" in Dutch sur...

Van acoleyen (Last name)

surnames > van-acoleyen

The last name "van Acoleyen" is of Dutch origin and is derived from the personal name "Achille", which itself comes from the Greek name "Achilles". The prefix "van" in Dutch surnam...

Van akin (Last name)

surnames > van-akin

The last name Van Akin is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from the region of Aken in the Netherlands, meaning "from Aken." It is likely that the original bearer ...

Van anh (Last name)

surnames > van-anh

The surname "van Anh" is of Vietnamese origin. It is common in Vietnam and typically indicates a familial or ancestral connection to the Van Anh family or lineage.

Van as (Last name)

surnames > van-as

The last name "van As" is a Dutch surname which means "from the ash tree." It is a common surname in the Netherlands and is derived from the location or characteristics of an ash t...

Van asare (Last name)

surnames > van-asare

The last name "Van Asare" is of Dutch origin. "Van" means "from" or "of" in Dutch, indicating that the family may have originated from a place named Asare.

Van asperen (Last name)

surnames > van-asperen

The last name "van Asperen" is a Dutch surname of toponymic origin, meaning it is derived from a place name. In this case, it likely originally referred to someone who came from th...

Van bac (Last name)

surnames > van-bac

The last name Van Bac is of Vietnamese origin. It is a common surname in Vietnam, derived from the Vietnamese word "bạc" which means "silver."

Van bakergem (Last name)

surnames > van-bakergem

The last name "Van Bakergem" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from the word "bakker" meaning "baker" and "gem" meaning "village" or "home." This surname likely...

Van belkum (Last name)

surnames > van-belkum

The last name "van Belkum" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname, derived from the place name Belkum, which is a village in the Netherlands. The prefix "van" indicates that...

Van bentum (Last name)

surnames > van-bentum

The last name "van Bentum" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname that indicates a person who hailed from a place called Bentum or a similar-sounding location in the Netherl...

Van bergen (Last name)

surnames > van-bergen

The last name Van Bergen is of Dutch origin. "Van" is a prefix in Dutch surnames that means "from" or "of", while "Bergen" means "mountains" in Dutch. Therefore, the surname Van Be...