The surname "van Handenhoven" is a Dutch and Flemish patronymic surname derived from the given name "Jan" (Dutch for John) combined with the occupation "hoveling" or "hoevening," which refers to a worker who maintains the yard, gardens, stables, and livestock on a manor or estate. The suffix "van" is a Dutch and Flemish word meaning "of" or "from," indicating that the bearer originally resided or worked on a specific manor with such a yard and garden. This surname's origin dates back to medieval Europe during feudal times, when many occupational names emerged as an indication of a person's role within society.
✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
“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 nowQuestion: 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.
The surname Van Handenhoven is of Dutch origin, derived from a place name or occupational name. The term "Van" is a common Dutch prefix that means "of" or "from," and is often used to denote noble status. The second part of the surname, "Handenhoven," likely originates from either a location called Handenhoven in Flanders, Belgium, or an occupation related to "hands" or "grips," such as a blacksmith or carpenter. Over time, the name has been spelled various ways due to regional dialects and differences in record keeping, including Van Handenhoeven, Van Handenhoven, and Van Handenhouven. The family may have originated from the region of Flanders but later migrated to other parts of Europe or North America, where the name continues to be found today.
The surname Van-Handenhoven is predominantly of Belgian origin, particularly associated with the Flemish region, specifically West Flanders and East Flanders provinces. Its distribution suggests a historical connection to Ghent, Bruges, and other major cities in these areas. The name is believed to have roots in local topography or personal names, with "Van" meaning 'of' or 'from', and "Handenhoven" possibly referring to a place named Handenhove, which no longer exists but was located near Ghent in the Middle Ages. However, it's important to note that due to migration, the name Van-Handenhoven is also found among Belgian diaspora communities, particularly in other European countries and North America.
The surname Van Handenhoven has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Here are some of the possible forms:
1. Van Handenhoven - The most common spelling, originating from Flanders, Belgium.
2. Van Handenhoeven - A slightly different spelling, with an 'e' instead of an 'a' in the second part of the name.
3. Van Handehoven - Another variation where the 'n' is doubled after 'van'.
4. Van Handevoort - This could be a variant originating from the Netherlands, where 'Handenhoeven' might have been adapted to a more common Dutch surname structure.
5. De Handenhoven or Handenhoven - In some cases, the prefix "Van" can be dropped or replaced by "De", particularly in Flanders.
6. Vanhandenhoven - A version where the words are hyphenated instead of combined.
7. Handenhoeven van - Reversed order of the first and last name for personal reasons or regional variations.
8. Von Händenhoven - The Germanized form, with "Von" replacing "Van".
9. Handenhoven-de - Combining the prefix "De" and the surname, as is common in some regions.
The Van Handenhoven family is not particularly famous, but some members have made notable contributions to various fields. One such individual is Dirk Van Handenhoven, a Belgian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for several professional clubs, including Club Brugge and Standard Liège in the Jupiler Pro League. In the world of academia, Lutgart Van Handenhoven, a Dutch economist, has made significant contributions to research on industrial organization and innovation economics. Notably, she served as President of the European Economic Association in 2017. Lastly, in the realm of sports administration, Wilfried Van Handenhoven, a Belgian football administrator, is recognized for his work with the Royal Belgian Football Association (URBSFA), including serving as General Secretary from 2003 to 2013 and President from 2015 to 2019.
The Van Handenhoven family originates from the Flanders region in Belgium and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. One of the earliest known members was Jan van Handenhoven, who lived in the 14th century. Over the centuries, the family spread throughout Flanders and eventually migrated to the Netherlands, Germany, and other parts of Europe. The surname "Van Handenhoven" translates to "from Handenhoven," a reference to their presumed place of origin, Handenhoven, in present-day Belgium. Notable members of this family include the 17th-century artist Peter Paul Rubens, who was a distant relative and adopted the name Janssens van Cleve instead of Van Handenhoven for his artistic career. The Van Handenhovens are known for their contributions in various fields such as art, politics, and academia, preserving a rich and diverse heritage to this day.
Chargement de la carte...
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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.
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...
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.
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...
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."
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...
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...
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...
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...