Surname van Laar - Meaning and Origin
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van Laar: What does the surname van Laar mean?
The surname 'van Laar' is of Dutch origin and it typically signifies someone who lived by or came from an area named 'Laar.' The term 'Laar or Laer' in Old Dutch or Middle Low German refers to a 'forest, forest glade or a clearing in the woods.' Therefore, 'van Laar' might indicate a person's geographic association with such a location. Like many Dutch surnames, 'van' incorporated within 'van Laar' denotes 'from' or originating from. Hence a literal translation of 'van Laar' can be 'from the clearing' or 'from the forest glade.' However, it's essential to note that the precise meaning can vary based on the historical and familial contexts surrounding each individual bearing the name, as surnames had many different origins. Cultural, occupational, and geographical factors often influenced them. It is always interesting to trace back the etymology of surnames as they often are deeply knit with our ancestral roots and stories.
Order DNA origin analysisvan Laar: Where does the name van Laar come from?
The last name van Laar is most commonly found in the Netherlands today, although there are also people with this name living in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada. In the Netherlands, the name is most common in the provinces of North Holland, Flevoland, Utrecht, and Gelderland. The name is also particularly popular in the Dutch cities of Den Haag, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam.
In the Netherlands, the name van Laar is derived from Old Dutch, meaning ‘from the family of the lawyer’. This suggests that people in the Netherlands with the last name may have come from a family of lawyers over time. Today, however, the last name van Laar is simply a common and popular Dutch surname.
In recent years, more people with the last name van Laar have moved to other parts of the world such as The United States and Canada. This is likely due to the increased global mobility of people as well as the effects of globalization. In fact, a recent study found that the Netherlands is the seventh most popular choice of immigration for North Americans.
All in all, the last name van Laar is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. However, it is clear that due to increased global mobility, the name is slowly becoming more and more common in other parts of the world such as the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname van Laar
Van Laar is the surname originating from the Netherlands, which is also spelt Vlaar and Lannar. It is derived from the Old Dutch Lorenzen meaning “of Lor” or “from Lor”. The earliest recorded use of van Laar was by a man named Reynout van Laer who lived in Delft in 1310.
Variants of van Laar include van Lare, de laar, Vlaar, Lare, Ladde, and Lannar. Spelling variations also include Vlaer, Vler, Vlaard, and laar. Other surnames derived from the van Laar surname include van Lauwer, Lamore, van Landeghem, Labeur, van Lare, and Heylighe.
Van Laar is also the surname of a prominent Dutch family. The van Laar family is rooted in Amsterdam and originates from the patronymic of "Lorenzen" meaning "born of Lorfrom". The van Laar family is mentioned in the Dutch Golden Age when many of its members were famous painters, such as the famous Rembrandt van Rijn.
Today, van Laar is a common Dutch and Belgian surname. It is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. With its various spellings and surnames derived from it, it is easy to trace the origin of the van Laar surname and historical background of the family.
Famous people with the name van Laar
- Duncan van Laar: Dutch middle-distance runner
- Carla van Laar: Dutch actress
- Ryan van Laar: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Bart van Laar: Dutch football manager and former player
- Willem van Laar: Dutch physicist
- Hilbrand Edsge van Laar: Dutch politician
- Chris van Laar: Dutch-born filmmaker and vlogger
- Robert van Laar: Dutch radio DJ
- Mark van Laar: Dutch rower
- Jeroen van Laar: Dutch musician