Surname Hemstra etc. - Meaning and Origin
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Hemstra etc.: What does the surname Hemstra etc. mean?
The last name Hemstra (sometimes spelled Hemstraet) is of Dutch origin. The literal meaning of the word is "from Hems", indicating a place of origin, typically a hamlet or small village. Historically, the name can be found in records as far back as the early fourteenth century, making it a relatively ancient surname.
The surname is derived from either of two places located in the Netherlands; one in Friesland and one in Gelderland. Both of these locations have been around for centuries, and as such the last name Hemstra has been linked both to those original settlements and the occupants of those areas over time.
The name is also a toponym, meaning that it is derived from the geography and features of the area rather than the inhabitants. This could be related to the type of land, such as a flatlands region, as well as geographical features such as rivers, mountains, or roads. It could also refer to a type of land use, such as marshland or forested areas.
When researching family histories, Hemstra is an interesting surname to explore, as it gives an insight into the ancestry of a place as well as a hint to where ancestors may have come from. As well as looking into the physical features of the land, and researching records from the region, it may also be possible to trace the earliest forms of the name to find out its original meaning and to gain a better understanding of the family’s history.
Order DNA origin analysisHemstra etc.: Where does the name Hemstra etc. come from?
The surname Hemstra seems to have its origins in the Netherlands, more specifically, the Northern provinces of the Netherlands. The name Hemstra has been recorded in Dutch church records as far back as 1590 in the province of South Holland.
Today, the name is most common among Dutch people in all provinces of the Netherlands. There are many Hemstras in Dutch cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, but also in the towns of Zeeland and other parts of the country. The name remains most common in the Netherlands, and it is not uncommon to find Hemstras living in other countries where large emigrant communities exist, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In more recent years, many people with the last name Hemstra have settled outside of traditional Dutch diaspora communities. The name can now be found in cities across Europe, such as Paris, London and Madrid. There are even families with the last name Hemstra living in America, Canada and Brazil, where Dutch immigrants have made a home.
Despite its original Dutch roots, the name Hemstra is now becoming increasingly diverse and wide-spread. With its unique and appealing sound, the name is a reminder of the many Hemstras who have connected a piece of their homeland with their adopted countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Hemstra etc.
The surname Hemstra can have different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Hemstrah, Hemstrath, Hemstraat, Hemstraete, Hemstraut, Hemstart and Hemstrayer.
Hemstra is a Germanic name which originated from a locale in Germany that is first recorded in the 14th century. The surname was most likely topographic in nature, referring to people who lived near a stream or in a marshy area. The suffix “-stra” is usually associated with places that have this kind of topography.
Variants and other spellings of Hemstra include Hemstraat, Hemstraete, Hemstrath, Hemstraut, Hemstart and Hemstrayer. Hemstraat is a Dutch locative form meaning “place where the stream originates”, while Hemstrath is a contraction of ‘Hems’ plus “-trauth” or “-strauth” meaning “stream” or “marsh”.
Hemstart is an occupational name derived from German ‘Hemmerstort,’ meaning “the one who twists or turns” or “the maker of hempen cords”. Hemstrayer is a variant of Hemstrath and refers to someone from the town of Hemstrath in Rhineland, Germany. It is also an occupational surname for a dyer of wool or hemp.
The surname Hemstra is also popular in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, where spellings and variants of the surname are also quite common.
Famous people with the name Hemstra etc.
- Jean Hemstra: French architect
- Monique Hemstra: Dutch television presenter
- Mathijs Hemstra: Dutch singer
- Matthew Hemstra: American entrepreneur
- Pien Hemstra: Dutch theatre director
- Bart Hemstra: Dutch author
- Chris Hemstra: American basketball player
- Eveline Hemstra: Dutch actress
- Pierre Hemstra: Dutch actor
- Paula Hemstra: Dutch author
- Tom Hemstra: American visual effects supervisor
- Annette Hemstra: Dutch model
- Nel Hemstra: Dutch documentary director
- Rami Hemstra: Dutch rugby player
- André Hemstra: Dutch soccer player
- Annelies Hemstra: Dutch illustrator
- Ingmar Hemstra: Dutch playwright
- Elvis Hemstra: Dutch magician
- Anco Hemstra: Dutch animator
- Jack Hemstra: Dutch basketball player