Surname Antwerpen - Meaning and Origin

Antwerpen: What does the surname Antwerpen mean?

The last name Antwerpen is a Dutch patronymic surname inspired by the Dutch city of Antwerp. The name is derived from the combination of two Dutch words, 'aan' and 'duerpen', which literally translates to "on the villages". The name originates from the region where a number of villages congregated on the north bank of the Scheldt river, many years ago.

The region of Antwerp gives the name a unique history and significance. The city was a thriving port city, making it highly prosperous during the Medieval period. It was a popular destination for trade, self-government and culture. Antwerp became one of the area's most important cultural, financial and trading centres during this period.

The origin of the last name is representative of this unique history and cultural wealth. Combining the two Dutch words together indicates the legacies of ancient towns and villages. The last name itself may symbolise a powerful tie to a distant past through the name of the city from which the last name was derived. For this reason, the last name Antwerpen is often considered a monument to a remarkable past.

Antwerpen: Where does the name Antwerpen come from?

The last name Antwerpen is most commonly found in the city of Antwerp, Belgium. It is a Flemish city on the Scheldt River and is the second-largest city in Belgium.

Antwerpen is believed to have been founded back in the 12th century but didn’t become “a proper city” until the 13th century. The name Antwerpen, which roughly translates to “throw of the hand” or “toss of the arm”, was derived from the city’s origin story. The tale goes that a giant (or a hero of sorts) threw a giant rock at a giant catfish in the nearby Scheldt river, thus forming a bridge and the beginnings of the city.

Today, Antwerp is a large commercial and cultural center. Known for its gorgeous architecture, Antwerp was named one of the top cities in Europe for architecture and design by the BBC. It is home to a bustling port, and those of the Antwerpen family are often found in businesses dealing with import/export.

Antwerpen is also a popular surname outside of Antwerp. Variations exist throughout Northern Europe, including Ander-Pen in Scandinavia. It is quite popular in the United States and Canada as well, where the spellings include Antwerpen, Antwerp, Anterpen, and Antwerpa. The largest US population is in the Midwest states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Variations of the surname Antwerpen

The surname Antwerpen is derived from the city of Antwerp, located in Flanders, Belgium. It is a relatively common surname both in Belgium and the Netherlands, but also occurs occasionally elsewhere.

The variants, spellings and surnames for Antwerpen are listed below:

• Antwerp: This is the most commonly used variant of the surname, simply taking the second part of the city name and dropping the rest.

• Antwerper: This is the Dutch variant of the surname, which uses the suffix 'er', common in the Netherlands.

• Antuwerp: This is the Flemish spelling of the surname, with the 'u' included.

• Antwerpin: This is a variant of the surname featuring the suffix 'in', a common surname suffix in the French language.

• Antverpen: This is a more shortened spelling of the surname, with the 'verp' included.

• Antwerpener: This is a more formal surname featuring the 'er' suffix, often used in Germany.

• Antwerpenaar: Another Dutch variant, featuring the suffix 'aar'

• Van Antwerpen: This is a Dutch patronymic surname, meaning 'from Antwerp'.

• Vander: This is a Dutch variant using the 'd'.

• Van Antwerpenheimer: This is a more formal German variant of Van Antwerpen, featuring the 'heimer' suffix.

• Antwerpenski: This is a Polish variant of the surname with the 'ski' suffix, common in Eastern Europe.

• Van der Antwerpen: This is another Dutch variant of the patronymic surname, featuring the 'der' suffix.

Famous people with the name Antwerpen

• Naomi van Antwerpen: musician, singer-songwriter
• Zyan van Antwerpen: Dutch YouTuber
• Pauline van Antwerpen: Dutch television presenter
• Charlotte van Antwerpen: Belgian actress, producer and television presenter
• Robert van Antwerpen: Dutch radio and television host
• Caspar van Antwerpen: Dutch sculptor
• Rinke van Antwerpen: Dutch actor and comedian
• Dinand van Antwerpen: Dutch DJ and producer
• Pauline van Antwerpen: Dutch fashion model
• Nico van Antwerpen: Dutch artist and illustrator

Other surnames

Antwerpes