Surname Boven - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Boven: What does the surname Boven mean?
Boven is a Dutch surname that translates to "above" or "over" in English. This last name could have been originally used to denote someone who lived in an upper area, on a hill, or on the upper floors of a building. Similarly, it could also have been given to individuals residing in an area known as 'Boven', a name used for places in the Netherlands and Belgium. The Dutch use prefixes like van, van de, van der, de, or boven to indicate a geographic or topographic origin or residence of the initial bearer of the name. Therefore, 'Boven' might represent a place of origin or dwelling of the original bearer of this surname. As with most surnames, there may be multiple origins or interpretations due to regional linguistic differences, historical migration patterns, or occupational naming conventions.
Order DNA origin analysisBoven: Where does the name Boven come from?
The surname Boven has Dutch origins, specifically from the Netherlands. The word "Boven" translates to "above" in English. This could possibly mean that the first bearers of this name might have lived on a hill or higher ground, or they might have occupied a high position in society. It is important to note that the formation of surnames often had such geographical or occupational influences.
Even today, the surname Boven is most commonly found in the Netherlands. It can also be found to a lesser extent in other parts of the world due to the migration of Dutch settlers, particularly in regions such as Belgium, the United States, and parts of the Caribbean. Despite this geographical dispersion, the heaviest concentration of individuals with the Boven surname is still within the Dutch borders.
Variations of the surname Boven
The surname Boven is of Dutch origin, often denoting someone from an upper region or high place, with "boven" literally translating to "above" or "over" in Dutch.
Variations of the surname Boven could include Bovens, Bovenz, and Boveen. These variants might have arisen due to spelling errors, different regional dialects, or personal preference of the bearer.
Additionally, surnames that may have a similar meaning and origin include: Bovenkamp, essentially combining "boven" with "kamp" (field or camp); Bovendijk, a combination of "boven" with "dijk" (dike or embankment); and Bovenstijn or Bovenstein, derived from "boven" and "stijn" or "stein" (stone), all topographically relevant surnames.
Other related surnames might not be visibly similar due to linguistic changes over time, different spelling conventions, or different methods of anglicizing Dutch names, making it difficult to establish all possible variations of the surname Boven without conducting more specific genealogical research. As with all surnames, it's important to remember that while many will have shared origins, there may be independent origins as well.
Famous people with the name Boven
- Lisa Boven: An Australian actress known for her role in the movie "Emil and the Detectives".
- Ingrid Boven: A Dutch writer and creator of the 'Minoes' series.
- Marieke van den Boven: A famous Dutch TV presenter and journalist.
- Janny van der Boven: A renowned Dutch Olympic swimmer. Unfortunately, the surname 'Boven' is not a common one among celebrities or famous individuals. Most of the names listed so far belong to relatively less-known figures or local celebrities within specific disciplines or regions, as public figures with the last name 'Boven' are quite rare.