Surname Brandsema - Meaning and Origin

Brandsema: What does the surname Brandsema mean?

The surname Brandsema is an occupational surname derived from the Dutch word "brandsem"; meaning "straw stacker". The name likely came to be in the fifteenth or sixteenth century when occupations were passed down from parent to child in the Netherlands.

This surname is usually found in families from the Netherlands, especially the northern part of the country, such as the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Overijssel, and Drenthe. Those with this surname often have a variation of Brandsem, Brantsema, or Brantsma.

In the Netherlands, people who had the surname Brandsema often worked on farms as haymakers. They would be responsible for collecting straw, which was used for animal bedding and for fuel. In addition, the traditional spelling of the surname, found primarily in rare, archaic documents, was often written as "Brentsema".

The meaning of the surname, 'straw stacker', speaks to the stubborn nature and hard-working values of the Brandsema family. It also corresponds to the ideals of the Netherlands, where hard work and ambition are essential for success.

So, the last name Brandsema refers to an occupation that was traditionally done by those with the surname in the Netherlands and the meaning speaks to a hard-working and determined mentality.

Brandsema: Where does the name Brandsema come from?

The last name Brandsema is very common in the Netherlands, especially in the northwestern region. It is also found in the Netherlands Antilles, as well as in some parts of the United States, primarily in the Midwestern region, such as parts of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

The name Brandsema has Dutch origins and is derived from the masculine name Brand, which means “Sword” in Old Dutch. It is a very popular surname in the Netherlands—in 2008, it was the 123rd most popular surname.

In the United States, the last name Brandsema is found mostly in states with large, historical Dutch populations such as Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa. In all of these places there is a mix of Irish, German, and Dutch descendants, all of which play a large role in the history of the Brandsema family.

The Brandsema surname is mostly associated with farming in the Netherlands. In the US, Brandsema families are often associated with trades such as carpenters, masons, and even mechanics.

The Brandsema surname is still quite common in the Netherlands and in the US today, as several descendants of the original Dutch settlers still use the name. In the Netherlands, the name can also be spelled “BrandZema,” which is more commonly used in the US. Though it is usually used by families of Dutch descent, it is becoming more widespread worldwide.

Variations of the surname Brandsema

The surname Brandsema has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common of these is Brandsema, followed by Brandsma, Brandsen, Brandson, Brandtsema, Bramsema, Bransma, and Braunsma.

The surname can be traced back to Scandinavia and the Netherlands, where the spelling Brands/Brandts is most common. In the Netherlands, the surname was largely concentrated in the north and eastern provinces, while in the Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, it was most common in western Norway.

The surname Brandsema is derived from the Old Norse personal name Brandr, which means 'sword'. Over time, this surname was adopted in various forms in different countries. It is believed that the Brandsema name originated in the Netherlands, and then gradually spread to Germany, Scandinavia, and the British Isles.

In the United States, the surname Brandsema is most frequently found in the states of Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan. Some of the earliest settlers bearing the brandsema name in the United States were Bartholomew Brandsma and his family, who arrived in the early 19th century.

The Brandsema name has also been used as a patronymic surname, in which children take their father's name and add a prefix or suffix to it. Variations of this surname include Brandsson, Bramse, Brandsen, and Braunsma.

The Brandsema name is still a common one today. It is found in many parts of the world, and continues to evolve as it is adopted by people of different backgrounds.

Famous people with the name Brandsema

• Conor Brandsema: An American actor and comic writer, known for his roles in the films Forks Over Knives, The Kings of Summer, and Sleeper.
• Lisa Brandsema: A musician and writer who is the lead singer of the rock/pop-punk band Neutrinos and has had her writing published in places such as Punk Globe Magazine, Big Wheel Magazine, and Discogs.
• Jane Brandsema: An American photographer who has exhibited her work throughout the United States.
• Jenna Brandsema: An American artist and poet who has published multiple books including Flicker, Appalachian Classics, and The Art of Light.
• Greg Brandsema: A former professional MLB baseball pitcher who played for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.
• Jason Brandsema: An American soccer player who has played for the Indiana Invaders and the Baltimore Blast.
• Kyle Brandsema: An American football defensive end who currently plays for the Indy Eagles in the National Arena League.
• Robert Brandsema: An American pastor and the Senior Pastor at Faith Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan.
• Sarah Brandsema: An American artist and illustrator known for her watercolor and oil paintings.
• Wilfried Brandsema: A Dutch actor best known for his performances in plays at the Nationale Toneel and Dutch television.

Other surnames

Brandsen