Surname Westerhoven - Meaning and Origin
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Westerhoven: What does the surname Westerhoven mean?
The last name Westerhoven is a Dutch topographic name for someone who lived near a wester hovingen, meaning “western grove”. In ancient times, these groves were thought to be sacred places where people would go to find spiritual guidance or solace. It is likely that the Westerhoven family originated from a nearby settlement that was associated with this grove. The name could also come from the Dutch word wester, meaning “west”, with hof meaning “garden” or “court”.
Members of the Westerhoven family are probably descendants of a group of Dutch settlers who left their native country in search of a better life. The earliest documented mention of the name Westerhoven was in 1593 in North Holland. Over the years, the name has been found in many countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and across the United States.
Today, the Westerhoven name carries both cultural and religious significance. For example, many of the family members are still members of the Dutch Reformed Church. Additionally, the Westerhovens are known for their commitment to hard work, due to their agrarian roots. By honoring the values of their forefathers, present members of the Westerhoven family remain connected to their ancestry and proud of their line of descent.
Order DNA origin analysisWesterhoven: Where does the name Westerhoven come from?
The last name Westerhoven is most common in the Netherlands, particularly in the southern part of the country. In Amsterdam, the name Westerhoven appears to have been most prevalent among the population for centuries. According to the Dutch surname distribution service Nederlandse Familienamenbank, it is the 13th most common last name in Amsterdam.
The name is also found in Belgium, where it is among the 10 most common last names in Antwerp and East Flanders. Westerhoven is also widespread across the Netherlands, especially in North Brabant and Limburg provinces.
Westerhoven is also relatively popular in the United States. It is most popular in the Midwestern states such as Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin - where it ranks among the 200 most common surnames.
It is also found in Brazil and Argentina in South America, as well as in several other countries in Europe, including Germany, France, Italy, and Austria.
Overall, the last name Westerhoven is most common in the Benelux countries, the Midwest United States, and some parts of Central and South America.
Variations of the surname Westerhoven
Westerhoven is a patronymic surname of Dutch origin. It is derived from the place name Westerhoven, which is located in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. The spelling of the surname Westerhoven can vary in various forms and spellings such as Westerhout, Westerhove, Westerhouten, Westerhoveden, Westerhav, Westerhov, Westerhof, Westerhuis, Westerhuizen and Westerhuisden.
The surname Westerhoven has various variants based on a person’s origin. For instance, those of German origin may take the form Westerhofen, or Westerhöfen; the French speaking may use Westerhova; and those of Polish origin may take the form Westerhow.
The variations of the Westerhoven surname can also include regional variations such as Westhoving, Westervoort, Westenberg or Westenbergen. The variants can also be spelt differently in other languages such as the French form, Ouesterehouten.
Additionally, the surname may also be confused with the variation, Westerhoudt, which is derived from an entirely separate location in the Netherlands.
Overall, the surname Westerhoven has many regional and ethnic variations, but is still known to be a Dutch patronymic name originally derived from the town of Westerhoven.
Famous people with the name Westerhoven
- Jacob Westerhoven: Dutch visual artist
- Ingo Westerhoven: German actor, director and theater producer
- Annette Aus den Westerhoven: Dutch singer-songwriter
- Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland; Sovereign Prince of Hanover; King of Hanover from 1837-1851, born as Ernst August of Hanover, Prince of Great Britain and Ireland, after his mother's family name of Westerhoven
- John Martin Westerhoven: Dutch sculptor and ceramist
- Diderik Westerhoven: Dutch painter
- Tanja Westerhoven: Dutch hockey player
- Mireille Westerhoven: Dutch footballer
- Jeroen Westerhoven: Dutch footballer
- Andrew Westerhoven: Australian Association Football player