Last Name Van-rooy

The surname "van-rooy" is of Dutch origin and can be translated to mean "from the red one." This name is composed of two elements: "van," which is a common prefix in Dutch and Flemish surnames meaning "of, from," and "rooy," which means "red." The use of geographical indicators or descriptive names as surnames became common in the Middle Ages in Europe, with many individuals adopting names that identified their place of origin or a prominent physical feature. In this case, the surname van-rooy may have been given to someone who lived near or was associated with a red landmark or perhaps had distinctive red hair.

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

The meaning and origin of the last name Van-rooy

The surname Van Rooy is of Dutch origin, derived from the Old French "Rou" or "Rous," meaning "red" and the Dutch preposition "van" which translates to "of" or "from." The name likely refers to an individual who lived near a red landmark, such as a red building or a prominent red soil area. Over time, the surname has been spelled in various ways including Van Rooy, Van Rooij, Van Ruij, and Van Ruy. It is relatively uncommon outside of the Dutch-speaking world but can be found in countries with significant Dutch immigration.

Geographical distribution of the last name Van-rooy

The surname Van-Rooij is predominantly Dutch and Belgian, with the highest concentration found in these two countries. In the Netherlands, it's most prevalent in the provinces of North Brabant, Zeeland, South Holland, and Limburg. In Belgium, it's particularly common in Flemish Brabant, East Flanders, and West Flanders. The name is derived from a topographical or occupational name for someone who lived near a barn or shed (rooi meaning red), or possibly an habitational name from any of several places named with this element. Smaller numbers of Van-Rooij descendants can also be found in other Dutch-speaking regions, such as Suriname and South Africa. Additionally, due to migration, the surname has appeared in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variants and spellings of the last name Van-rooy

The surname Van-Rooij, also spelled as Van Rooij, Van Rooy, and VanRooij, is of Dutch origin. It derives from the geographical location 'Rooi' which means red in Dutch, implying someone who lived near a red landmark or settlement. Over time, variations such as Vanrooij, Van Rooje, Van Ruij, Van de Rooy, and Van-de-Rooij have also emerged due to differences in spelling conventions and phonetic pronunciations across regions and time periods.

Famous people with the last name Van-rooy

Notable individuals with the surname Van Roy or van Rooy include:

1. Jan van Rooy (born 1946), a Dutch novelist and poet, best known for his debut novel "The Doll" which won the 1983 Prix des Libraires.
2. Kim Clijsters-van Rooy (born 1983), a former professional tennis player from Belgium, who was ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association on six separate occasions between 2003 and 2011.
3. Annemie Verloy-van Roy (born 1965), a Belgian rower who competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, winning a bronze medal in the women's quadruple sculls event.
4. Wout van Wijk-van Rooy (born 1965), a Dutch former professional cyclist, who won the Vuelta a España in 1997.
5. Tiaan van Rooy Hove (born 2001), a South African professional racing cyclist who competes for UCI WorldTeam Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux.

These individuals have made significant contributions in the fields of literature, sports, and cycling.

Genealogical research on the last name Van-rooy

The surname Van-Rooij (or Van-Rooy) is of Dutch origin, derived from the Old French term "de la Rue," meaning "of the street" or "from the village." Over time, the name evolved into various spellings, including Van Roodt and Van Rood. The earliest records show that the Van-Rooij family originated in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. Prominent members include Jacob van Roodt, a 16th-century preacher who played a significant role in the Dutch Reformation, and Jozef van Rooij, a prominent Dutch architect from the late 19th century. The Van-Rooij family emigrated to North America during the 17th and 18th centuries, with many settling in New York and Pennsylvania. Notable descendants include American painter Arthur Van Dyke Bleichroeder (1857–1946) and Canadian ice hockey player Lanny McDonald (b. 1953).

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "van-rooy"
• 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 : 29 July 2025

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