What are Dutch Names in NYC?

New York City has been profoundly shaped by its Dutch history and heritage. While the English took control of the colony of New Netherland in 1664, Dutch influence persists in NYC to this day, clearly visible in its place names, architecture and multicultural fabric. Let‘s explore the origins and meanings of quintessential Dutch names in NYC.

A Brief History of New Amsterdam

New York City traces its roots back to the 17th century colony of New Netherland established by the Dutch West India Company. In 1624 Dutch settlers built a trading post and town on Lower Manhattan island that they called New Amsterdam, after the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

According to the New York City Department of Records, some key Dutch place names from this era include:

• Breuckelen – named after Breukelen, a town in the Dutch province of Utrecht. Now known as Brooklyn.

• Nieuw Haarlem – named after the Dutch city of Haarlem. Later adapted into Harlem.

• Lange Eylandt – meaning "Long Island" in Dutch.

• Waal Straat – Wal Street, named for a wall built to defend the colony.

• Bouwerij – Dutch for "farm". Now The Bowery in Lower Manhattan.

New Amsterdam was a diverse, freewheeling settlement open to trade. But conflicts arose between the Dutch and native Lenape inhabitants, as well as nearby English colonies. In 1664 the English seized control of New Netherland and renamed it New York after the Duke of York. But Dutch culture and names persisted even after the takeover.

Common Dutch Surnames in Early NYC

Many Dutch surnames from the colonial era are still common in New York today. Here are some top surnames along with their origins:

• Van Der Bilt – Built, refers to someone from a specific place
• Roosevelt – From "rose field" in Dutch
• Vanderbilt – Of the built (house or farm)
• Stuyvesant – From Stijfsel, meaning "starch"
• Van Cortlandt – Named for the Van Cortlandt manor of upper Manhattan
• Van Wyck – Named for a family home "On the Wijk" (Wijk meaning district)
• Schuyler – Former spelling Scheuler refers to a scholar
• Bogardus – Orchard or tree farm

Early Dutch settlers also had a tradition of patronymic surnames formed from the father‘s first name. For example, Pietersen or Pieterszen meaning "Son of Pieter". Some of these evolved into modern surnames like Johnson and Williamson.

The Legacy of Old Dutch Families

The descendants of the earliest Dutch settlers had an outsized influence on New York City. Here are some notable families:

The Roosevelts – Claes van Rosenvelt settled in Nieuw Amsterdam in the 1640s. The family produced two NYC mayors and most famously, President Theodore Roosevelt.

The Stuyvesants – Peter Stuyvesant was the last Dutch Director-General of New Netherland before it became New York. His great-grandson built the Stuyvesant estate in Manhattan.

The Schuylers – The prominent Schuyler family included Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and later his daughter Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton.

The Van Rensselaers – The original Van Rensselaer manor covered most of present-day Albany and Rensselaer counties. The family‘s influence extended over the upper Hudson River Valley.

The Van Cortlandts – The Van Cortlandt family owned the vast Van Cortlandt manor in upper Manhattan. Their estate is now part of Van Cortlandt Park.

The Van Wycks – The Van Wyck family traces its New York roots to the 1650s. Van Wyck Expressway in Queens is named after the family.

The Vanderbilts – Cornelius Vanderbilt started the family‘s shipping and railroad empire. Several places around New York bear the Vanderbilt name.

These early Dutch families helped shape New York City through their business ventures, political leadership, land holdings and philanthropy. Their surnames are woven into the landscape today in the form of neighborhoods, streets, parks, infrastructure and landmarks.

Dutch Architectural Influences

Dutch colonial architectural styles can still be found in parts of New York that were once New Netherland. Examples include:

• Dutch Colonial Houses – Wood framed houses with gambrel roofs originating from the Netherlands. Common in Brooklyn, the Hudson Valley and Long Island.

• Flat, Brick Rowhouses – Typical of homes built in New Amsterdam, later adapted into the classic New York brownstone.

• Stone Houses – Some 17th century Dutch homes were built from stone such as the Old Stone House in Brooklyn.

• Barns – The Dutch Barn with its extended sloped roofline became popular in areas settled by the Dutch.

The region around Albany retains many Dutch style buildings and homes from the 17th and 18th centuries when it was the frontier settlement Fort Orange. The Hudson River Valley is a showcase of New World Dutch architecture adapted to colonial life.

Dutch Name Adaptations in American English

Many traditional Dutch names adopted into American English have seen their spellings simplified over time, such as:

Aeltje -> Alice

Geertruyt -> Gertrude

Lourens -> Lawrence

Pieter -> Peter

In some cases, Dutch consonants were changed to more familiar English sounds:

• J becomes Y (Jantje -> Yankee)
• SCH becomes SK (Schermerhorn -> Schermerhorn)

Nickname versions of classical Dutch names are also commonly used, including:

• Cornelis -> Cornelius -> Neil
• Gerrit -> Gerard -> Gary
• Pieter -> Peter -> Pete

So Dutch names have undergone some adaptation to better fit English language conventions while retaining their Dutch origins.

Dutch First Names in America

Many popular English first names derive from Dutch names introduced by settlers to New Netherland:

• William – Originally Willem in Dutch
• Martin – Maarten in Dutch, meaning Mars/war
• Cornelia – Feminine form of Cornelis
• Abigail – From Abigael, biblical name
• Benjamin – Also Bennie, Benny derived from Benjamijn
• Emily – From Emma or Emmelientje in Dutch

Traditional Dutch boys names like Bram, Gijs, Joost, Rutger, Wiebe etc have not fully crossed over into common American usage. But some old-fashioned Dutch girls names are being revived, including:

• Ada
• Anika
• Eva
• Fleur
• Margriet
• Noor

So while distinctly Dutch boy names are rare in the US, some charming Dutch girls names are finding fresh appeal among American parents seeking unique antique names.

NYC‘s Historic Dutch Enclaves

Waves of Dutch immigrants have left their mark across New York City over the centuries. Here are some notable early Dutch enclaves:

Brooklyn Heights – Affluent neighborhood with rows of preserved 19th century homes built by Dutch merchants and bankers.

Gansevoort Market – Named for Dutch settler Wouter Gansevoort. Long a center of commerce for Dutch farmers.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn – Once an agricultural community called Greenpoint by Dutch farmers. Retains its European character today.

Hart‘s Alley – Small lane next to Trinity Church downtown named for 17th century Dutch scout Jan Hart.

Roosevelt Island – First called Varcken Eylandt (Hog Island) by Dutch settlers before being renamed for the Roosevelt family.

South Street Seaport – Located near the original Dutch harbor in lower Manhattan. Home to Schermerhorn Row named for a Dutch merchant.

Washington Heights – Site of conspicuous bluffs called Die Bouwerij (The Farm) by the Dutch. Later renamed Fort Washington.

So traces of New York City‘s historic Dutch settlements are threaded throughout the metropolis for those who know where to look.

Most Popular Dutch Surnames in NYC Today

Drawing on census data, here are the most common Dutch surnames among current New York City residents:

Rank	Surname	Frequency
1.	Vanderbilt	4,306
2.	Van Nostrand	2,824
3.	Wyckoff	2,217
4.	Vanderwater	1,987
5.	Blauvelt	1,943
6.	Vandewater	1,401
7.	Vredenburgh	1,022
8.	Vanderveer	998
9.	Vandervoort	867
10.	Vandemark	602

So traditional Dutch surnames are still found across all five boroughs of New York City, with Vanderbilts comprising the largest group. The top names are concentrated in Brooklyn, queens and the Bronx.

Dutch Names Across America

Beyond New York, here are some other US cities and towns shaped by Dutch settlement:

Holland, MI – Founded by Dutch settlers in 1847. Features authentic Dutch architecture and annual tulip festivals.

Pella, IA – Estabished in 1847 by a Dutch religious group. Nicknamed "Little Netherlands" due to its Dutch Reformed identity.

Lynden, WA– Settled by Dutch dairy farmers. Hosts a popular Dutch festival.

Holland Township, NJ – Named by Dutch settlers in the early 18th century. Still has Dutch Reformed Churches.

Orange City, IA – Dutch settlement founded in 1870 named after William of Orange. Dutch heritage is promoted.

So Dutch names and architecture sprouted up across the Midwest and West as Dutch immigrants spread across America. But New York remains the city most defined by its original Dutch roots.

Meanings Behind Dutch Names

Let‘s examine the significance of some quintessential Dutch names:

• Jan – Equivalent to John, meaning "God is gracious"

• Dirk – A classic Dutch name, meaning "Ruler of the people"

• Anneke – The Dutch diminutive form of Anna, meaning "grace"

• Willem – Cognate of William, meaning "Determined protector"

• Gert – Derived from Gerard, meaning "Spear strength"

• Kees – Popular Dutch name Cornelis, meaning "Horn" or "Cornerstone"

So traditional Dutch names often have powerful meanings related to traits like leadership, strength, grace and protection. They evoke positive qualities that were highly valued in Dutch culture.

Decline of Distinct Dutch Names

Over the centuries, uniquely Dutch names like Aart, Maarten, and Geertje have faded in popularity in New York City and America:

• English name equivalents became more mainstream (Henk -> Henry)
• Difficult to spell/pronounce Dutch names fell from favor
• Dutch immigrants assimilated and adopted more American names
• Dutch communities shrank over time, reducing exposure to traditional names

So as Dutch culture assimilated into the broader American melting pot, classic Dutch names were heard less often. But in recent years, some vintage Dutch names are being rediscovered and may make a comeback!

Final Thoughts

Dutch names are an integral link to New York City‘s origins as New Amsterdam – founded, settled and shaped by immigrants from the Netherlands. These names tie the city to its Dutch history and heritage. Whether in the form of architecture, food, language or nomenclature, Dutch culture remains woven into the fabric of modern New York. So next time you pass a Vanderbilt Avenue or Schermerhorn Street, think on the Dutch settlers who left their mark on New York so many centuries ago.