De neef Surname

The Origin of the Surname 'de Neef'

The surname 'de Neef' is of Dutch origin and is derived from the word 'Neffen', which means nephew in German. This suggests that the surname may have originated as a nickname for someone who was the nephew of a prominent figure or who acted as a nephew to someone in a position of authority. Alternatively, it could have been used to denote a young man or a junior member of a household.

Historical Distribution of the 'de Neef' Surname

According to historical records, the 'de Neef' surname is most commonly found in Belgium, with 1825 incidences of the surname recorded in that country. This suggests that the surname may have originated in Belgium and spread to other countries over time. The Netherlands also has a significant number of individuals with the 'de Neef' surname, with 626 recorded incidences. France, Australia, and South Africa also have notable numbers of individuals with the 'de Neef' surname, with 171, 34, and 18 recorded incidences respectively.

In countries such as Switzerland, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the 'de Neef' surname is less common, with 13, 12, 9, and 8 recorded incidences respectively. This suggests that the surname may have migrated to these countries at a later date, or that individuals with the surname may have historically been less likely to emigrate from Belgium or the Netherlands.

Other countries with smaller numbers of individuals with the 'de Neef' surname include Thailand, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Albania, Ivory Coast, Italy, Morocco, and the Philippines. These countries each have 6 or fewer recorded incidences of the surname, suggesting that the 'de Neef' surname is relatively rare in these regions.

Famous Individuals with the 'de Neef' Surname

Though the 'de Neef' surname may not be as widely recognized as some other surnames, there have been a few notable individuals throughout history who have borne this name. One such individual is Jean-Louis de Neef, a Belgian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of State from 2001 to 2009. Another notable figure is Antoine de Neef, a French painter known for his abstract and surrealist works.

Additionally, there are likely numerous individuals with the 'de Neef' surname who have made significant contributions to their respective fields or communities, though their names may not be as well-documented in historical records. Further research into the genealogy of individuals with the 'de Neef' surname may reveal more about the legacy of this lesser-known family name.

Modern Distribution and Variants of the 'de Neef' Surname

In the modern era, the 'de Neef' surname continues to be most commonly found in Belgium and the Netherlands, though individuals with this surname can be found in countries around the world. Variants of the 'de Neef' surname may also exist, such as 'de Nef' or 'Neef', which could have arisen through regional dialects or spelling variations.

Genealogical research and DNA testing have become popular tools for individuals seeking to trace their familial origins and connect with long-lost relatives who may share the 'de Neef' surname. Online databases and ancestry websites can provide further insights into the historical distribution and migration patterns of individuals with the 'de Neef' surname, allowing for a greater understanding of the surname's significance and legacy.

Overall, the 'de Neef' surname holds a rich history and cultural significance, with its origins rooted in Dutch and Germanic languages. By exploring the historical distribution, famous individuals, and modern variants of the 'de Neef' surname, one can gain a deeper appreciation for this lesser-known family name and its place in the global tapestry of surnames.

The surname De neef into the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is achievable to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The exact same happens in the case of De neef, which as you are able to corroborate, it can be said it is a surname that can be found in all of the countries of this globe. In the same way you will find nations in which certainly the thickness of men and women using the surname De neef is higher than in other countries.

The map of this De neef surname

View De neef surname map

The likelihood of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of De neef in the world, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves in the map, for a tangible country, we are able to understand tangible number of individuals with all the surname De neef, to have this way the particular information of all the De neef that one may presently find in that country. All this also assists us to know not only in which the surname De neef comes from, but also in what way the folks who're initially an element of the household that bears the surname De neef have moved and moved. In the same way, you are able to see by which places they will have settled and grown up, which explains why if De neef is our surname, it seems interesting to which other nations for the globe it will be possible this one of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional De neef worldwide

  1. Belgium Belgium (1825)
  2. Netherlands Netherlands (626)
  3. France France (171)
  4. Australia Australia (34)
  5. South Africa South Africa (18)
  6. Switzerland Switzerland (13)
  7. United States United States (12)
  8. England England (9)
  9. Scotland Scotland (8)
  10. Thailand Thailand (6)
  11. Canada Canada (5)
  12. Germany Germany (2)
  13. Denmark Denmark (2)
  14. Spain Spain (2)
  15. Albania Albania (1)
  16. Ivory Coast Ivory Coast (1)
  17. Italy Italy (1)
  18. Morocco Morocco (1)
  19. Philippines Philippines (1)