Putten

* (Gelderland) First attested as puthem in 855. Derived from the dative plural form of Old Dutch putti (“well”). Not a compound derived from put (“well”) and heem (“home, homestead”).
* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as Putten in 1865. Derived from the dative plural form of put (“well”).

Meronyms: Bijsteren, Diermen, Gerven, Halvinkhuizen, Hell, Hoef, Huinen, Huinerbroek, Huinerwal, Koudhoorn, Krachtighuizen, Steenenkamer, 't Oever, Veenhuizerveld

Putten (a village and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)

A neighbourhood of Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands


Renkum

First attested as redincghem in 970. Compound derived from Old Dutch Rado (a personal name) suffixed with the collectivising suffix -ing- and hem (“home, settlement”).

Meronyms: Buunderkamp, Doorwerth, Heelsum, Heveadorp, Kievitsdel, Oosterbeek, Wolfheze

Renkum (a village and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Rheden

First attested as rheton in 960. Dative plural derivation from Old Dutch ret (“reeds”). A compound of riet (“reeds”) and heem (“home, settlement”) is impossible. Compare Reeth.

Meronyms: De Steeg, Dieren, Ellecom, Laag-Soeren, Spankeren, Velp

Rheden (a village and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Rijnwaarden

Compound of the hydronym Rijn and the plural form of waard (“land next to water, riverine island”).

Rijnwaarden (a former municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Rozendaal

* (Gelderland) First attested as rosendale in 1317. Compound of roos (“rose”) and dal (“vale, valley”). Named after a castle built by count Reinald I.
* (Zuid-Holland) First attested as Rosendael in 1687. Compound of roos (“rose”) and dal (“vale, valley”). Originally the name of a polder.
* (Utrecht) Compound of roos (“rose”) and dal (“vale, valley”). Named after a former farmhouse.
The surname derives from a compound of roos (“rose”) and dal (“dale, valley”) or from one of several toponyms.

Meronym: Imbosch

Rozendaal (a village and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)

A hamlet in Krimpenerwaard, South Holland, Netherlands

A neighbourhood of Leusden, Utrecht, Netherlands


Scherpenzeel

* (Gelderland) First attested as v. scherpesiel in 1229. Compound of either Old Dutch Skarpo (a personal name) or skarp (“sharp, cutting”) and Middle Dutch sele (“hall house”).
* (Friesland) First attested as scherpensele and scarpensele in 1245. Compound of either Old Dutch Skarpo (a personal name) or skarp (“sharp, cutting”) and Middle Dutch sele (“hall house”).
The surname derives from one of several toponyms.

Scherpenzeel (a village and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)

A village in Weststellingwerf, Friesland, Netherlands


Tiel

First attested as dioli in 850-865. Etymology uncertain. Possibilities include a derivation from Middle Dutch tuyl (“agricultural land”) or from a term related to Middle Low German tûl (“copse”). Compare Thull, Tilburg, Tuil and Tull en 't Waal.

Meronyms: Bergakker, Drumpt, Kapel-Avezaath, Medel, Passewaaij, Wadenoijen, Zennewijnen

Tiel (a city and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Voorst

* (Voorst) First attested as worst in 893. Derived from Old Dutch vorst (“preserve”).
* (Oude IJsselstreek) First attested as forsto in 1329. Derived from Old Dutch vorst (“preserve”).
* (Roerdalen) First attested as Neu Vorst and Alt Vorst in 1803-1820. Derived from Old Dutch vorst (“preserve”). See also Limburgish De Varsj.

Meronyms: Appen, Bussloo, De Kar, De Vecht, De Wijk, Duistervoorde, Gietelo, Klein Amsterdam, Nijbroek, Noord-Empe, Posterenk, Spekhoek, Steenenkamer, Terwolde, Teuge, Twello, Wilp, Wilp-Achterhoek

Voorst (a village and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)

Oude IJsselstreek
Oude IJsselstreek#English

A hamlet in Oude IJsselstreek, Gelderland, Netherlands

A hamlet in Roerdalen, Limburg, Netherlands


Wageningen

/ˈʋaː.ɣəˌnɪ.ŋə(n)/

First attested as wagenunge in the 12th century. Derived from Old Dutch Wagano (a personal name) suffixed with the rare collective suffix -ung-.

Meronyms: Nude, Wageningen-Hoog

Wageningen (a city and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


West Maas en Waal

The municipality is named for its location in the western half of the Land van Maas en Waal.

Meronyms: Alphen aan de Maas, Altforst, Appeltern, Beneden-Leeuwen, Berghuizen, Blauwesluis, Boven-Leeuwen, De Tuut, Dreumel, Greffeling, Maasbommel, Moordhuizen, Nieuwe Schans, Oude Maasdijk, Wamel, Woerd

West Maas en Waal
West Maas en Waal#English

West Maas en Waal (a municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Westervoort

First attested as westerwrd in 1025. Compound of Old Dutch wester (“west”) and wurt (“artificial mound used as shelter during floods”). The second component was later replaced by voort (“ford, crossing”).

Meronym: Schans

Westervoort (a village and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Winterswijk

First attested as wintereswick in the 11th century. Compound of Old Dutch *Winidheri (a personal name) and wijk (“village, settlement”).
The surname is derived from the toponym.

Meronyms: Brinkheurne, Corle, Henxel, Huppel, Kotten, Meddo, Miste, Ratum, Woold

Winterswijk (a village and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Zaltbommel

First attested as in bomala in 850. Etymology uncertain. Potentially a compound of zout (“salt”) and a compound element derived from Old Dutch bom (“tree”) and lo (“light forest”). The element zout potentially refers to trade in salt or, alternatively, to a tidal bore that drove seawater to the city. The interpretation of the first element as Proto-Germanic *salah- (“willow, Salix”) is incorrect. Compare Maasbommel.

cog

Meronyms: Aalst, Bern, Brakel, Bruchem, Delwijnen, De Rietschoof, Gameren, Kerkwijk, Nederhemert-Noord, Nederhemert-Zuid, Nieuwaal, Poederoijen, Poederoijensehoek, Zuilichem

Zaltbommel (a city and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Zevenaar

First attested as subenhara around 1047. Etymology uncertain. Potentially a compound of a personal name and Old Dutch *hara (“sandy ridge”).

Meronyms: Aerdenburg, Aerdt, Angerlo, Babberich, Bahr, Bevermeer, Bingerden, Geitenwaard, Giesbeek, Herwen, Holthuizen, Kijfwaard, Kwartier, Lathum, Lobith, Ooy, Pannerden, Oud-Zevenaar, Spijk, Tolkamer, Tuindorp, Veldhuizen, Zweekhorst

Zevenaar (a city and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Zutphen

First attested as sutphem in 1101. Etymology uncertain. Potentially derived from a compound of Old Dutch sūth (“south-, southern”) and either fene (“peat bog, fen”) or fenne (“pasture, swampland”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon Zutfent.

Meronyms: Bronsbergen, De Hoven, Leesten, Warken, Warnsveld

Zutphen (a city and municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands)


Middelburg

From middel- (“middle”) + burg (“fortified settlement, castle”).
* (Zeeland) First attested as mittelburgenses in 1102-1105.
* (Zuid-Holland) First attested as middelburgh in 1316. The toponym contrasts with Randenburg.

af

Meronyms: Arnemuiden, Brigdamme, Kleverskerke, Nieuw-Abeele, Nieuw- en Sint Joosland, Oudedorp, Schellach, Sint Laurens

Middelburg (a city, municipality, and capital of Zeeland, Netherlands)

A hamlet and former municipality of Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, South Holland, Netherlands


Zelder

First attested as sellar in 1357. Compound derived from an unclear first element and laar (“intensively cultivated forest”). The first element has been variously interpreted as a contraction of Middle Dutch seer (“sick, ill”) or sere, sel (“hall house”) and Proto-Germanic *salah (“willow”).

A hamlet in Gennep, Limburg, Netherlands


Dalen

First attested as in dalon in the 12th century. Derived from the dative plural form of Old Dutch dal (“dale, valley”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon Daolen.

A village and former municipality of Coevorden, Drenthe, Netherlands


Wesch

First attested as Wesch (de) in 1877. Derived from Limburgish wesj (“washing place”). The reading of the toponym as wisch (“wet pasture”) is erroneous. Compare Waskemeer.
See also Limburgish De Wesj.

A hamlet in Eijsden-Margraten, Limburg, Netherlands


Notel

First attested as notele in 1311. Compound of Middle Dutch not (“nut, nut tree”) and lo (“light forest”). Compare Nottloh, Nottuln, Nutteln, Notley and Nutley.

A neighbourhood of Oirschot, North Brabant, Netherlands


Darp

First attested as Erp in 1851-1855. Derived from an ablauted variant of dorp (“farmstead, village, subsidiary settlement”).

A village in Westerveld, Drenthe, Netherlands


Ool

First attested as ole between 1294 and 1295. Derived from ool (“land next to water, humid low-lying land”), an obsolete derivative of Proto-West Germanic *auwju (“floodplain, meadow”).
See also Limburgish Oeal.

der

A village in Roermond, Limburg, Netherlands


Barbarije

(dated, historical) Barbary (the Mediterranean coastal region of North Africa)


Bulgaar

nl-noun

Bulgaar m (plural Bulgaren, diminutive Bulgaartje n, feminine Bulgaarse)

Bulgaren (plural)
Bulgaartje (diminutive neuter)
Bulgaarse (feminine)

Wat een haartje... met zo'n Bulgaartje!

What a hairstyle... with a Bulgar like that! (old slogan for Bulgaria hair gel)


trialoog

(European Union) trialogue; an informal negotiating meeting between representatives of the European Commission, European Council and the European Parliament in order to arrive at a compromise for a law proposal


triloog

Borrowed from French trilogue, ultimately from Latin trialogus.

(chiefly European Union, rare otherwise) Alternative form of trialoog


Achel

First attested as achile in 1139. Compound of an unclear first element and Old Dutch *lō (“light forest”).

A village and former municipality of Hamont-Achel, Belgium


Swifterbant

First attested as suifterbant in 793. Derived from Old Dutch swifter (“left, northern”) and bant (“region, inhabited area”), from Proto-Germanic *bant-, *bantō, *banti (“district, region”), which could be from Proto-Indo-European *bʰonHdeₕ₂-, *bʰonHdos- (“useful, beneficial, good”), from *bʰHdús-.
Originally the name of a forest. The name was later chosen as suitable for one of the planned villages in the Flevopolder.

A village in Dronten, Flevoland, Netherlands


Vlaamse

Vlaamse f (plural Vlaamsen, masculine Vlaming)


Steeg

* (Limburg) Attested as Steeg in 1838-1857. Derived from steeg (“alley, narrow pathway”).
* (Gelderland) Attested as ter stege in 1450. Derived from steeg (“alley, narrow pathway”).

Horst aan de Maas
Horst aan de Maas#English

A hamlet in Horst aan de Maas, Limburg, Netherlands

A neighborhood of Zevenaar, Gelderland, Netherlands


Pama

Derived from West Frisian Pama (a surname).

A hamlet in Westerkwartier, Groningen, Netherlands


Ulk

A neighbourhood of Almelo, Overijssel, Netherlands


Asten

First attested as astene in 1202-1212. Etymology uncertain. Potentially derived from Proto-Germanic *asta- (“oven”).

Meronyms: Achterbos, Achterste Diesdonk, Behelp, Bussel, De Beek, De Berken, Dijk, Heusden, Laarbroek, Ommel, Oostappen, Rinkveld, Stegen, Voordeldonk, Voorste Diesdonk, Vosselen

Asten (a village and municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands)


Laude

First attested as lauder marke in 1466. Etymology unknown. Potentially related to Proto-Germanic *lauthô (“pool, swamp”), although this proposed etymology poses phonological difficulties.

unk

unknown

A hamlet in Westerwolde, Groningen, Netherlands


Burum

First attested as burum in 1408. Borrowed from West Frisian Boerum, derived in turn from the dative plural form of Old Frisian buur (“home, cottage”). Compare Bierum and Sexbierum.

A village and former municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân, Friesland, Netherlands


Sassenheim

First attested as uuestsagnem in 918-948. From Middle Dutch Sassenem, from Old Dutch Saxnem. Equivalent to Saso (a given name) + -en- + heim (“home”). The first element is unlikely to refer to the Saxon peoples. Compare Saaksum, Lutke Saaxum and Saaxumhuizen.

com

A village and former municipality of Teylingen, South Holland, Netherlands to the north of Leiden and Oegstgeest


gors

nl-noun

gors f or n (plural gorsen, diminutive gorsje n)

gorsen (plural)
gorsje (diminutive neuter)

From Middle Dutch gors, variant of gras. Doublet of gras.

a plain or marsh near river mouths, unprotected by dykes


Plak

First attested as Plak in 1843. Derived from a dialectal variant of plag (“chunk of grass or turf”).

A hamlet in Berg en Dal, Gelderland, Netherlands


Markermeer

Meronym: Gouwzee

A lake in the Netherlands, between North Holland and Flevoland, separated from the IJsselmeer by the Houtribdijk


IJsselmeer

A lake in the Netherlands, formerly part of the Zuiderzee


IJssel

From Proto-Germanic *Īsalō, probably from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eys- (“to move quickly”).

der

A river in the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel, the Netherlands; a branch of the Rhine


Kreek

First attested as De Kreek in 1838-1857. Derived from kreek (“small inlet or gully in a tidal zone”), which is from the same ultimate source as English creek.

A hamlet in Moerdijk, North Brabant, Netherlands


Uden

First attested as uthen in 1190. Etymology unknown. No relationship with Proto-Indo-European *ud- (“water, marsh”).
The surname derives from the toponym.

unk

unknown

cog

A town and former municipality of Maashorst, North Brabant, Netherlands


Zandberg

* (Drenthe) Attested as Sandberg in 1781. Compound of zand (“sand”) and berg (“elevated place, hill”). See also Dutch Low Saxon Zaandbarg, Saandbaarg.
* (Gelderland) Attested as Zandberg (De) in 1874. Compound of zand (“sand”) and berg (“elevated place, hill”).
* (Peel en Maas, Helden) Compound of zand (“sand”) and berg (“elevated place, hill”).
* (Peel en Maas, Maasbree) Compound of zand (“sand”) and berg (“elevated place, hill”).
* (Simpelveld) Attested as Sandberg in 1797. Compound of zand (“sand”) and berg (“elevated place, hill”). Named after a nearby farmhouse.
* (Zeeland) Attested as Zantbergen in 1575. Compound of zand (“sand”) and berg (“elevated place, hill”). Named after a nearby sand ridge.
* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as achter die zantberge in 1411. Compound of zand (“sand”) and berg (“elevated place, hill”).
* (Overijssel) First attested as bij den berch in 1447. Compound of zand (“sand”) and berg (“hill, elevated place”).
The surname derives from one of the toponyms or from zandberg.

A village in Borger-Odoorn, Drenthe, Netherlands

A hamlet in Buren, Gelderland, Netherlands

A hamlet in Peel en Maas, Limburg, Netherlands

A hamlet in Simpelveld, Limburg, Netherlands

A neighbourhood of Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands

A neighbourhood of Kampen, Overijssel, Netherlands


Faan

First attested as fene in the 13th century. Derived from Old Frisian fane (“peat bog, marsh”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon t Voan.

A village in Westerkwartier, Groningen, Netherlands


Altena

* (Noord-Brabant) From Middle Dutch Altena, Holtena (among other spellings), from an Old Dutch term which is only attested as Latinized Huoltena, the name of a river probably deriving from Proto-Germanic *hultą (“wood”) + *ahwō (“water, river”); thuis equivalent to hout + a.
* (Drenthe) First attested as de altena in 1143, 1145 and 1167. Compound of al (“much”), te (“too”) and na (“close”). The toponym contrasts with Alteveer. Compare Matena, Nauerna and Nergena. See also Dutch Low Saxon Altenao.
* (Zeeland)
The surname derives from one of several toponyms.

Meronyms: Almkerk, Andel, Babyloniënbroek, Biesheuvel, Bronkhorst, Buurtje, Drongelen, Duizend Morgen, Dussen, Eethen, Eng, Genderen, Giessen, Hank, Hill, Hoekeinde, Keizersveer, Kerkeinde, Kievitswaard, Kille, Korn, Meeuwen, Moleneind, Nieuwendijk, Oudendijk, Peerenboom, Rijswijk, Schans, Sleeuwijk, Spijk, Stenenheul, Steurgat, 't Zand, Uitwijk, Uppel, Veen, Vierbannen, Vijcie, Waardhuizen, Werkendam, Wijk en Aalburg, Woudrichem, Zandwijk

Altena (a municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands)

A village in Noordenveld, Drenthe, Netherlands

A hamlet in Terneuzen, Zeeland, Netherlands


Fontein

* (Aruba) Derived from fontein (“spring, source”).
* (Curaçao) Derived from fontein (“spring, source”). Originally the name of a plantation.
The surname derives from one of the senses of fontein or from one of several toponyms.


Valkenburg

* (Limburg) First attested as de castello de Falcomonte in 1121. Compound of valk (“falcon, Falco sp.”) and a second element that is either burg (“castle, fortified settlement”) or berg (“hill, elevated place”). See also Limburgish Valkeberg.
* (Zuid-Holland) First attested as ualcanaburg in 918-948. Compound of the genitive plural form of Old Dutch falko (“falcon, Falco sp.”) and burg (“fortified settlement, castle”).
The surname derives from one of the toponyms.

Valkenburg aan de Geul
Valkenburg aan de Geul#English

A city and former municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul, Limburg, Netherlands

A village and former municipality of Katwijk, South Holland, Netherlands


Witteveen

* (Midden-Drenthe) First attested as het Witteveen in 1856. Compound of wit (“white”) and veen (“peat bog, marsh”). Compare It Wytfean.
* (De Wolden) First attested as Witteveen in 1913. Compound of wit (“white”) and veen (“peat bog, marsh”). Compare It Wytfean. See also Dutch Low Saxon Wittevène.
The surname derives from one of several toponyms.

A village in Midden-Drenthe, Drenthe, Netherlands

A hamlet in De Wolden, Drenthe, Netherlands


Zeldenrust

The name of the neighbourhood is a compound of zelden (“rarely”) and rust (“rest”).
The surname derives from either the same combination of zelden and rust, or from one of several toponyms.

A neighbourhood of Terneuzen, Zeeland, Netherlands


Noord-Beveland

Compound of noord (“north-, northern”) and the toponym Beveland.

Meronyms: Campensnieuwland, Colijnsplaat, Geersdijk, Jacoba, Kamperland, Kats, Kortgene, Plankendorp, Stroodorp, Wissenkerke

A former island and municipality of Zeeland, Netherlands


Zuid-Beveland

A peninsula and former island in Zeeland, The Netherlands, to the east of Walcheren, to the south of Noord-Beveland and to the north of Zeelandic Flanders


Walcheren

First attested as walichrum around 790. From Old Dutch walacheri, a compound of *walc (“moist, humid”) + *heri (“sandy ridge”).

A peninsula and former island in Zeeland, The Netherlands, to the west of Zuid-Beveland, to the south of Noord-Beveland and to the north of Zeelandic Flanders


Sloot

First attested as tot Leyssel op 't blockhuys in 1508. Derived from slot (“castle, fort”). The current toponym is the result of a reinterpretation as sloot (“ditch”).

A hamlet in Deurne, North Brabant, Netherlands


Marker Wadden

Literally, “tidal mudflats of Marken”. The islands are named for their location in the Markermeer. Despite the name, however, these islands are not in fact tidal mudflats (unlike the wadden after which the Waddenzee is named, for example).

an artificial wetland archipelago in lake Markermeer, located in the province Flevoland, The Netherlands


Berlijner

nl-noun

Berlijner m (plural Berlijners, feminine Berlijnse)

Berlijners (plural)
Berlijnse (feminine)


Zeelandia

From Zeeland + -ia.
The neighbourhood is named after a former plantation.


Ingen

Potentially attested as heingen in 1026, attested with certainty as de inghenhe in 1227. Etymology unclear. If the oldest attestation refers to the current village, the toponym might be derived from Proto-Germanic *hangim (“settlement on a hillside”). If this attestation does not refer to the current village, an etymological link to eng (“agricultural land belonging to a village”) is possible.

unk

unclear

cog

A village in Buren, Gelderland, Netherlands


Zierikzee

First attested as siricasha in 1156. Compound of Old Dutch Siric (a personal name) and ā (“body of water, river”) (from Proto-Germanic *ahwō). Compare Elkerzee.
See also Zealandic Zurrikzeê.

A city and former municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland, Zeeland, Netherlands


Hardenne

(Belgium) Alternative form of Ardennen; Ardennes (forest and mountainous region in France, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg)

Ardennes (a department of Grand Est, France, (INSEE code 08))


Ardennen

Ardennes (forest and mountainous region in France, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg)


Haarlemmermeer

Meronyms: Aalsmeerderbrug, Abbenes, Badhoevedorp, Beinsdorp, Boesingheliede, Buitenkaag, Burgerveen, Cruquius, Cruquius-Oost, De Hoek, Haarlemmerliede, Halfweg, Hoofddorp, Huigsloot, Leimuiderbrug, Lijnden, Lisserbroek, Nieuwebrug, Nieuwe Meer, Nieuw-Vennep, Oude Meer, Penningsveer, Rijsenhout, Rozenburg, Spaarndam-Oost, Spaarnwoude, 't Kabel, Vijfhuizen, Vinkebrug, Vredeburg, Weberbuurt, Weteringbrug, Zwaanshoek, Zwanenburg

A municipality of North Holland, Netherlands


Griend

* (island) From griend (“waterside area overgrown with willows”).
* (neighbourhood) Derived from griend (“land next to water used to cultivate brushwood”).

A neighbourhood of Lelystad, Flevoland, Netherlands


Ridderkerk

First attested as riderkerke in 1280-1287. Compound of the toponym Riede (likely derived from the dative singular form of Old Dutch riet (“reed”)) and Middle Dutch kerke (“church”). The first element was gradually reinterpreted to ridder (“knight”).

Meronyms: Bolnes, Oostendam, Oude-Molen, Rijsoord, Slikkerveer, Strevelshoek, Wevershoek, Zwaantje, Zwet

A town and municipality of South Holland, Netherlands


Algerijn

nl-noun

Algerijn m (plural Algerijnen, diminutive Algerijntje n, feminine Algerijnse)

Algerijnen (plural)
Algerijntje (diminutive neuter)
Algerijnse (feminine)

/ˌɑl.ɣəˈrɛi̯n/

Algerian (person from Algeria or of Algerian heritage)


Wijk bij Duurstede

First attested as dorsteti nunc autem uuik nominata in 948. Derived from Old Dutch wīk (“special purpose settlement”) and the toponym Duurstede, a former castle named after the former trade settlement of Dorestad.

inh

Meronyms: Cothen, Den Oord, Dwarsdijk, Langbroek, Overlangbroek, Steenen Brug

A city and municipality of Utrecht, Netherlands


Vledderveen

* (Drenthe) First attested as Vledderveen in 1877. Compound of Vledder + veen. See also Dutch Low Saxon Vleddervene.
* (Groningen) First attested as Vledderveen in 1899. Compound of vledder + veen.

A village in Westerveld, Drenthe, Netherlands

A hamlet in Stadskanaal, Groningen, Netherlands


Vledder

First attested as vledder around 1313. Derived from dialectal vledder (“swampy peatland”). Compare Barnflair.

A village and former municipality of Westerveld, Drenthe, Netherlands


Rha

First attested as rathe in 996. Derived from Old Dutch rothe (“cleared land”). Compare Het Raan, Raar, Raren, Rhaan, Rhoon and Roden.

A hamlet in Bronckhorst, Gelderland, Netherlands


Kersteiland

From kerst + eiland, calque of English Christmas Island.

Christmas Island
Christmas Island#English

Christmas Island (a territory of Australia)


Ravenswoud

Officially named after a naming competition held in the 1930s. Blend of Ravensmeer (a former hydronym) + woud (“wood”).

blend

A village in Ooststellingwerf, Friesland, Netherlands


Waterland

From Middle Dutch [Term?]. Equivalent to water + land.

Meronyms: Achterdichting, Broek in Waterland, Grotewerf, Havenbuurt, Het Schouw, Ilpendam, Katwoude, Kerkbuurt, Marken, Moeniswerf, Monnickendam, Overleek, Rozewerf, Uitdam, Watergang, Wittewerf, Zedde, Zuiderwoude


Punda

Borrowed from Papiamentu Punda, derived from punda (“point”), a calque of punt (“point”).


Otrabanda

Borrowed from Papiamentu Otrabanda, a compound of otro (“other”) + banda (“side”).


Sardijn

nl-noun

Sardijn m (plural Sardijnen, feminine Sardijnse)


Weert

* (Weert) First attested with certainty as werd in 1155. Perhaps derived from Old Dutch werde (“land next to water, riverine island”), although there are no large rivers near the city. See also Limburgish Wieërt.
* (Meerssen) First attested as werde in 1335. Derived from weerd (“land next to water, riverine island”).

inh

Meronyms: Altweerterheide, Boshoven, Breyvin, Crixhoek, De Berg, De Boberden, De Horst, Dijkerstraat, Hei, Houtbroek, Hushoven, Laar, Moesdijk, Rietbroek, Stramproy, Swartbroek, Tungelroy, Wisbroek

Weert (a city and municipality of Limburg, Netherlands)

A hamlet in Meerssen, Limburg, Netherlands


Arabië

From Middle Dutch arabien, possibly from Old Dutch [Term?], from Latin Arabia.


Aalsmeer

First attested as alsmaer in the 12th century. Compound of an unclear first element and Middle Dutch meere (“pool”) or mare (“watercourse”). The first element may be Middle Dutch Al (a personal name), als (“alder, Alnus sp.”) or Proto-Germanic *alha- (“moose, Alces alces”). The first element is not derived from alles (“all”) or aal (“eel, Anguilla anguilla”).

cog

Meronyms: Calslagen, Kudelstaart, Oosteinde, Vrouwentroost

Aalsmeer (a village and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands)


Alblasserdam

First attested as alblaser-damme in 1320. Univerbation of Alblasser (“of or pertaining to Alblas”) + dam (“dam”).

univerbation

Meronym: Kortland

Alblasserdam (a village and municipality of South Holland, Netherlands)


Albrandswaard

Named after the former fiefdom of Albrandswaard en Kijvelanden.

Meronyms: Poortugaal, Portland, Rhoon

Albrandswaard (a municipality of South Holland, Netherlands)


Alkmaar

From Middle Dutch Alkmare, from Old Dutch Alkmare, Alcmare, Alcmere, Allecmere. Compound of an unclear first element and either Old Dutch mere (“lake”) or mare (“watercourse”). The first element has been variously linked to Old Dutch alk (“crow”) and *alke (“mud”). A derivation from Proto-Germanic *alha (“temple”) or *alha (“moose”) is unlikely. Compare Alkemade.

Meronyms: De Rijp, Driehuizen, Graft, Grootschermer, Koedijk, Kogerpolder, Markenbinnen, Noordeinde, Omval, Oost-Graftdijk, Oterleek, Oudorp, Schermerhorn, Starnmeer, Stompetoren, Ursem, West-Graftdijk, Zuidschermer

Alkmaar (a city and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands)


Almelo

First attested as almelo in 1157. Likely a compound of Proto-Germanic *alma- (“elm, Ulmus sp.”) and lo (“light forest”).

inh

Meronyms: Aadorp, Bavinkel, Bornerbroek, Tusveld

Almelo (a city and municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands)


Alphen

* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as alfheim in 719. Compound of an unclear first element and heem (“home, settlement”). The first element has been variously interpreted as Middle Dutch alf (“gnome, evil spirit, elf”) and Old Dutch Alf (a personal name).
* (Gelderland and Zuid-Holland) See respectively Alphen aan de Maas and Alphen aan den Rijn.
* (Former municipality) Named after Alphen aan den Rijn.

A village in Alphen-Chaam, North Brabant, Netherlands

any of multiple towns and/or municipalities in the Netherlands:

A former municipality of South Holland, Netherlands


Alphen aan den Rijn

First attested as Albanianis around 300. Potentially derived from the hypothetical hydronym *Albhano-, derived in turn from Proto-Indo-European *alb- (“white, pale”). Compare the hydronym Elbe.

cog

Meronyms: Aarlanderveen, Bent, Benthorn, Benthuizen, Boskoop, De Roemer, Draaibrug, Gnephoek, Gouwsluis, Groenendijk, Hazerswoude-Dorp, Hazerswoude-Rijndijk, Heimansbuurt, Hogeveen, Hoorn, Koudekerk aan den Rijn, Laag Boskoop, Loete, Ridderbuurt, Rietveld, 's-Molenaarsbuurt, Spoelwijk, Voorweg, Westeinde, Zwammerdam

Alphen aan den Rijn
Alphen aan den Rijn#English

Alphen aan den Rijn (a city and municipality of South Holland, Netherlands) without city rights


Alphen-Chaam

Meronyms: Alphen, Alphen-Oosterwijk, Balleman, Boshoven, Boslust, Chaam, Couwelaar, Chaamdijk, Dassemus, Druisdijk, Galder, Geersbroek, Ginderdoor, Grazen, Heerstaaien, Heikant, Het Sas, Hondseind, Houtgoor, Kalishoek, Kerzel, Klooster, Kwaalburg, Leg, Looneind, Meijsberg, Notsel, Rakens, Snijders-Chaam, Strijbeek, Terover, 't Zand, Venweg

Alphen-Chaam (a municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands)


Amstelveen

First attested as amestelrevene in 1308. From Amstel (“Amstel”, a river) + veen (“peat bog, marsh”).

compound

Meronyms: Bovenkerk, Nes aan de Amstel, De Zwarte Kat

Amstelveen (a city and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands) without city rights


Appingedam

/ˌɑ.pɪ.ŋəˈdɑm/

From Middle Dutch Appengadomme, Appengadamme, a compound of the hydronym Appa (derived from Old Dutch *apa (“river, stream”)) suffixed with the collectivising suffix -ing- and dam (“dam”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon n Daam, Appengedaam.

Appingedam (a city and former municipality of Eemsdelta, Groningen, Netherlands)


Bijlmermeer

→ Sranan Tongo: Bimre

From Bijlmer (“a former village”) + meer (“lake”). The toponym Bijlmer derives from a contraction of Old Dutch bindel (“connection, link”) and mere (“lake”). The meaning of the toponym was gradually forgotten, and the element meer was appended as a result.

Bijlmermeer (a neighborhood and former municipality of Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands)


Dominicaan

nl-noun

Dominicaan m (plural Dominicanen, feminine Dominicaanse)

Dominicanen (plural)
Dominicaanse (feminine)

Dominican (person from the Dominican Republic)


Tietjerk

First attested as thiatzerckera in 1392. Borrowed from West Frisian Tytsjerk, derived in turn from a compound of Old Frisian Tije (a personal name) and tzercka (“church”).

A village in Tytsjerksteradiel, Friesland, Netherlands


Malden

First attested as de maldene in 1247. Probably derived from Proto-Germanic *maþla- (“gathering, gathering place”) with metathesis. Compare Old Saxon mathal (“popular gathering, moot”), Gothic 𐌼𐌰𐌸𐌻 (maþl, “marketplace, market”) and Old High German mahal (“popular gathering, moot”).

cog

A village in Heumen, Gelderland, Netherlands


Warga

Potentially attested as wartengahe in 944, attested with certainty as werraga in 1441. Borrowed from West Frisian Wergea, derived in turn from a compound of Old Frisian Warte (a personal name) and ga (“village, village area”). Compare Warten.

A village in Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands


Boskoop

First attested as buckescop in 1222. Compound of Middle Dutch Bucke (a personal name) or Bocke and cope (“land purchase, concession”).
Compare Benschop, Galecop, Gerverscop, Gieltjesdorp, Hei- en Boeicop, Hekendorp, Hoenkoop, Laag-Nieuwkoop, Middelkoop, Nieuwkoop, Nijeberkoop, Oldeberkoop, Oukoop, Overboeicop, Overheicop, Papekop, Reijerscop, Teckop, Vriezekoop, Willeskop, Elskop, Francop, Grevenkop, Heringskoop, Ladekop, Lüderskoop, Neuenkoop, Nincop and Roßkopp.

A village and former municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands


Catalaan

nl-noun

Catalaan m (plural Catalanen, feminine Catalaanse)

Catalanen (plural)
Catalaanse (feminine)

Borrowed from French catalan or Spanish catalán, from Catalan català.

Catalan, inhabitant or native of Catalonia


Venetiaan

Venetiaan m (plural Venetianen, feminine Venetiaanse)

Venetianen (plural)
Venetiaanse (feminine)

a Venetian, an inhabitant or native of Venice


strandmeer

strandmeer n (plural strandmeren, diminutive strandmeertje n)

strandmeren (plural)
strandmeertje (diminutive neuter)

Afrikaans: strandmeer

Compound of strand (“beach”) + meer (“lake”).


Oost-Duitsland

East Germany, either the DDR or the portion of Germany formerly belonging to the DDR


West-Duitsland

West Germany, either the BRD before German reunification or the portion of Germany formerly belonging to the BRD


Israëli

Israëli m (plural Israëli's, feminine Israëlische)

Israëli's (plural)
Israëlische (feminine)

der

יִשְׂרְאֵלִי

Hebrew יִשְׂרְאֵלִי


Oerle

* (Veldhoven) First attested as oerle in 1249. Compound of Old Dutch or (“sand mixed with gravel”) and lo (“light forest”). Compare Oirschot and Olen.
* (Tilburg) First attested as een stede gheheyten oerle in 1418. Compound of Old Dutch or (“sand mixed with gravel”) and lo (“light forest”). Compare Oirschot and Olen.

A village and former municipality of Veldhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands

A neighbourhood of Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands


Neerbeek

* (Limburg) First attested as nederbeke in 1225. Compound of neder (“lower”) and beek (“brook, stream”). So named to distinguish the settlement from Beek. See also Limburgish Nirbik.


Deurne

* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as durninum in 721. Derived from Proto-Germanic *þurnu- (“thorn, thorn bush”).

inh

Meronyms: Baarschot, Belgeren, Bleijs, Breemortel, Derp, De Voorstad, Donschot, Groote Bottel, Groot Bruggen, Haageind, Halte, Hanenberg, Heieind, Heimolen, Heitrak, Helenaveen, Kerkeind, Klein Bruggen, Kleine Bottel, Kranenmortel, Kulert, Leensel, Liessel, Merlenberg, Molenhof, Neerkant, Pannenschop, Ruth, Schans, Schelm, Sloot, Veldheuvel, Vlierden, Vloeieind, Voorste Beersdonk, Voort, Vreewijk, Walsberg, Zand

A town and municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands


Waver

The hamlet in the Netherlands is first attested as wauere in 1217. The toponym is derived from the name of a forest, which derives in turn from a term cognate to German wabern (“undulate, waft”) and English waver. Compare Weiver, Waver, Waverley, Waverton and Wavertree.

A hamlet in Ouder-Amstel, North Holland, Netherlands


Doornik

(Lingewaard) First attested as apud tornacum towards the end of the 11th century. Etymology uncertain. Potentially a relic from a pre-Germanic substrate language. It is unlikely that the toponym is derived from Doornik in Belgium or from a Celtic word with an -acum suffix. Compare Indoornik.

A hamlet in Lingewaard, Gelderland, Netherlands


Zuid-Afrikaan

nl-noun

Zuid-Afrikaan m (plural Zuid-Afrikanen, feminine Zuid-Afrikaanse)

Zuid-Afrikanen (plural)
Zuid-Afrikaanse (feminine)


Zuid-Koreaan

Zuid-Koreaan m (plural Zuid-Koreanen, diminutive Zuid-Koreaantje n)

Zuid-Koreanen (plural)
Zuid-Koreaantje (diminutive neuter)


Danswijk

* (neighbourhood) Compound of dans (“dance”) and wijk (“neighbourhood, quarter”). The neighbourhood's streets are named after various ballet dancers.

A neighbourhood of Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands


Zweed

Zweed m (plural Zweden, diminutive Zweedje n, feminine Zweedse)

Zweden (plural)
Zweedje (diminutive neuter)
Zweedse (feminine)


Caïro

From Italian Il Cairo, from Arabic اَلْقَاهِرَة (al-qāhira).

der

اَلْقَاهِرَة


Vilvoorde

Meronym: Peutie

Vilvoorde (a city in Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium)


Tienen

Meronyms: Bost, Goetsenhoven, Hakendover, Kumtich, Oorbeek, Oplinter, Sint-Margriete-Houtem, Vissenaken

Tienen (a city in Flemish Brabant, Belgium)


Zoutleeuw

Meronyms: Budingen, Dormaal, Halle-Booienhoven, Helen-Bos

A city and municipality of Flemish Brabant, Belgium


Deinze

From "donsa" (probably old Dutch for 'moss').

Meronyms: Astene, Bachte-Maria-Leerne, Gottem, Grammene, Hansbeke, Landegem, Meigem, Merendree, Nevele, Petegem-aan-de-Leie, Poesele, Sint-Martens-Leerne, Vinkt, Vosselare, Wontergem, Zeveren


Dendermonde

Meronyms: Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde


Geel

The name is from the same source as the adjective geel (“yellow”) and dates back to the middle ages. Formerly spelled Gheel.

Meronyms: Bel, Elsum, Holven, Kievermont, Larum, Oosterlo, Punt, Stelen, Ten Aard, Winkelom, Winkelomheide, Zammel


Herentals

From Middle Dutch Herenthals, from earlier Hernehals or Hernehalt, a compound of hērn (“hornbeam”) + hals (“narrow pass”).

com

Meronyms: Morkhoven, Noorderwijk


Hoogstraten

Meronyms: Meer, Meerle, Minderhout, Wortel

A city and municipality of Antwerp, Belgium


Mortsel

Meronym: Luithagen


Beringen

Meronyms: Beverlo, Koersel, Paal

A municipality of Schaffhausen canton, Switzerland


West-Azië

Holonym: Azië


Heilige Land

Probably a calque of Latin Terra Sancta.
The neighbourhood was mostly constructed by a Roman Catholic building corporation; its streets are named after Catholic institutions and figures from the history of Delft, which in turn led to the area receiving its current name.

A neighbourhood of Delft, South Holland, Netherlands


Dun

Potentially attested as dun in 1233, attested with certainty as de dunne in 1452. Etymology unknown. Not derived from duin (“dune”).

unk

unknown

A hamlet in Hilvarenbeek, North Brabant, Netherlands


Pijnacker

First attested as pinacker in 1222. Compound of Middle Dutch pine (“punishment, hard labour”) and acker (“farmland”).

inh

A village and former municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp, South Holland, Netherlands


Gazastrook

Gaza Strip (A region in Palestine between Egypt and Israel)


Hil

First attested as op de Hil in 1845. Derived from dialectal hil (“hill, elevated place”).

A neighbourhood of Loon op Zand, North Brabant, Netherlands


Katwijk

* (Zuid-Holland) Named after Katwijk aan den Rijn and Katwijk aan Zee.
* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as Catwyck in 1530. Derived from the difficult to interpret toponymic element kat (“cat, ridge, mud, lesser”) and wijk (“village, settlement”).

Meronyms: De Pan, Katwijk aan den Rijn, Katwijk aan Zee, Rijnsburg, Valkenburg

A municipality of South Holland, Netherlands

A village in Land van Cuijk, North Brabant, Netherlands


Veere

First attested as ter veren, toter vere and voer de vere around 1305. Derived from Middle Dutch vere (“ferry, crossing”).
See also Zealandic Ter Veere.

Meronyms: Aagtekerke, Biggekerke, Boudewijnskerke, Buttinge, Dishoek, Domburg, Gapinge, Geldtienden, Grijpskerke, Groot-Valkenisse, Hoogelande, Klein-Valkenisse, Koudekerke, Krommenhoeke, Mariekerke, Meliskerke, Molembaix, Molenperk, Oostkapelle, Pitteperk, Poppendamme, Serooskerke, Sint Janskerke, Sint Jan ten Heere, Snabbeldorp, Vrouwenpolder, Werendijke, Westhoek, Westkapelle, Zoutelande

A city and municipality of Zeeland, Netherlands


Cambodjaan

nl-noun

Cambodjaan m (plural Cambodjanen, feminine Cambodiaanse)

Cambodjanen (plural)
Cambodiaanse (feminine)


Pancras

Named after Saint Pancras, the patron saint of the main church of the neighbourhood.

A neighbourhood of Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands


Schokland

A village, former island, and former municipality of Noordoostpolder, Flevoland, Netherlands


Hilversum

First attested as hilfercem in 1305. Compound of Middle Dutch Hilfert (a personal name) and heem (“home, settlement”).

Meronyms: Egelshoek, Hilversumse Meent

Hilversum (a city and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands)


Warder

First attested as werthere and warthere in 1130-1161. Derived from Old Dutch werther (“island, riverside land”). Compare Waarder.

inh

A village and former municipality of Edam-Volendam, North Holland, Netherlands


Wassenaar

First attested as wasnare in 1200. Compound of the dative plural of Old Dutch *was (“sharp”) and *hara (“sandy ridge”).

Meronyms: Den Deijl, Maaldrift, Rijksdorp

A village and municipality of South Holland, Netherlands, located between The Hague and Leiden


Oezbeek

nl-noun

Oezbeek m (plural Oezbeken, feminine Oezbeekse)


Hoek

* (Zeeland) Attested as den Houck in 1664. Derived from hoek (“corner, bend”). Named for its location near an intersection of three levees. See also Zealandic D'n Noek, Denoek, D'oek.
* (Friesland) First attested as dien hoeck in 1426. Calque of West Frisian De Hoek, derived in turn from Old Frisian hoeke (“corner, bend”).
* (Gelderland) Derived from hoek (“protruding piece of land, bend”). Located next to a bend in the levee between Deest and Winssen.
* (Limburg) First attested as den Hoeck in 1838-1857. Derived from hoek (“isolated place”). See also Limburgish Hook.
* (Meierijstad) Derived from hoek (“isolated place”).
* (Sint-Michielsgestel) Derived from hoek (“isolated place”).
* (Valkenswaard) Attested as De Hoek in 1838-1857. Derived from hoek (“isolated place”).
* (Bergeijk) Attested as De Hoek in 1838-1857. Derived from hoek (“isolated place”).
The surname is derived from one of the senses of hoek or one of several toponyms.

A village and former municipality of Terneuzen, Zeeland, Netherlands

A hamlet in Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands

A hamlet in Beuningen, Gelderland, Netherlands

A hamlet in Leudal, Limburg, Netherlands

A hamlet in Meierijstad, North Brabant, Netherlands

A hamlet in Sint-Michielsgestel, North Brabant, Netherlands

A hamlet in Valkenswaard, North Brabant, Netherlands

A neighbourhood of Bergeijk, North Brabant, Netherlands


Oldenzaal

First attested as aldenselen in 893. Compound of Old Dutch ald (“old”) and a variant of sale (“hall house”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon Oldnzel.

Oldenzaal (Hanseatic city and municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands)


Helmond

First attested as helmund in 1108. Etymology unknown. Proposed etymologies include a compound of dialectal hel (“low-lying”) and Old Dutch munte (“hill, place of refuge during flooding”) and a compound of the unattested hydronym Hel and mond (“mouth”).

unk

unknown

cog

Meronyms: Berenbroek, Brouwhuis, Croy, De Weijer, Diepenbroek, Geeneind, Kloostereind, Kranenbroek, Kruisschot, Medevoort, Mierlo-Hout, Overbrug, Rijpelberg, Scheepstal, Stipdonk

Helmond (a city and municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands)


Roermond

First attested as de Ruremunde in the mid-12th century. Compound of the hydronym Roer (derived from either a Germanic root cognate with Old Saxon hrôra (“movement”), Old English hrôr (“motile, lively”) and modern Dutch roeren (“stir”) or from Proto-Indo-European *reu- (“dig”) with suffixed -r) and mond (“mouth”). The interpretation of mond as a derivation from Old Dutch munte (“mountain, refuge hill”) (cf. Urmond) is incorrect.
See also Limburgish Remunj.

inh

Meronyms: Aan de Rijksweg, Asenray, Asselt, Boukoul, De Weerd, Einde, Heide, Herten, Leeuwen, Maalbroek, Maasniel, Merum, Ool, Spik, Straat, Swalmen, Thuserhof, Wieler

Roermond (a city and municipality of Limburg, Netherlands)


Sittard

First attested as Sithert between 1135 and 1180. Etymology uncertain. Proposed etymologies include a derivation from Old High German sîte (“mountainside”), Latin secretarium (“section of forest intended for logging”) or sectura (“common land”). Compare Zijtaart, Zittard and Zittert.
See also Limburgish Zitterd.

der

A city and former municipality of Sittard-Geleen, Limburg, Netherlands


Spanbroek

First attested as spanbroech in 1290. Likely a compound of Middle Dutch span (“foot bridge, narrow, elongated strip of land”) and bruec (“marsh, marshland”).

inh

A village and former municipality of Opmeer, North Holland, Netherlands


Sittard-Geleen

Meronyms: Abshoven, Born, Broeksittard, Buchten, Daniken, Einighausen, Geleen, Graetheide, Grevenbicht, Guttecoven, Harrecoven, Holtum, Limbricht, Munstergeleen, Obbicht, Papenhoven, Rosengarten, Schipperskerk, Sittard, Windraak


Venlo

First attested as uennelon around 1100. Possibly a compound of ven (“small pool in a forest or heath”) and lo (“light forest”). Alternatively a compound of veen (“bog, marsh”) and lo (“pool”).

Meronyms: Arcen, Belfeld, Blerick, Boekend, Bolenberg, Bong, Brandemolen, De Krosselt, De Voort, Egypte, Geloo, Hanik, Hasselderheide, Hasselt, Het Vorst, Hout-Blerick, Leemhorst, Lingsfort, Lomm, Schandelo, Steyl, Tegelen, 't Ven, Veld, Velden, Vilgert, Wielder

Venlo (a city and municipality of Limburg, Netherlands)


Waalwijk

/ˈʋaːlˌʋɛi̯k/

First attested as walwic in 1200. Compound of either waal (“kolk lake”) or Proto-Germanic *walha (“Romanophone”) and wijk (“village, settlement”). Compare Vijlen, Waalbroek, Wahlwiller, Walem and Walik.

Meronyms: Baardwijk, Besoijen, Oosteind, Sprang-Capelle, Sprangsevaart, Vrijhoeve-Capelle, Waspik, Waspik-Zuid

Waalwijk (a city and municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands)


Roosendaal

First attested as in loco dicto rosendale in 1268. Compound of roos (“rose, Rosa sp.”) and a stretched variant of dal (“dale, valley”). The toponym is part of a family of names that became fashionable at the end of the 12th century.

Meronyms: Akker, Boeiink, Borteldonk, Brembosch, Bulkenaar, De Rotting, Everland, Haiink, Hazelaar, Heerle, Heijbeek, Hoevestein, Hollandsdiep, Hulsdonk, Kruisstraat, Moerstraten, Nieuwenberg, Nispen, Oostlaar, Plantage Centrum, Vijfhoek, Vinkenbroek, Visdonk, Vleet, Vroenhout, Wouw, Wouwse Hil, Wouwse Plantage, Zoomvliet

Roosendaal (a city and municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands)


Heusden

* (Heusden) First attested as husedinne in 1286. The toponym has been interpreted as Proto-Germanic *husid-inja- (“place of refuge, secure location”), in turn derived from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewH- (“to hide, to occlude”) and related to Gothic 𐌷𐌿𐌶𐌳 (huzd, “treasure, hoard”), Old English hord (“hoard, treasure”) and Old Saxon hord (“hidden courtyard, treasure”). Alternative interpretations include Proto-Celtic *Kusidiniom (literally “settlement of Kusidinios”) and Proto-Germanic *hus-idh-umnjô- (“place of houses”). Compare Huizinge, Huisduinen and Opheusden.
* (Asten) First attested as Heusden in 1794. Etymology unknown. It is impossible to determine whether the toponym is related to that of the city of Heusden due to a paucity of old attestations.

inh

Meronyms: De Hoeven, Doeveren, Drunen, Elshout, Fellenoord, Giersbergen, Haarsteeg, Hedikhuizen, Heesbeen, Herpt, Kuiksche Heide, Luttelherpt, Nieuwkuijk, Oudheusden, Vlijmen, Voordijk, Wolfshoek

Heusden (a city and municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands)

A village in Asten, North Brabant, Netherlands


Oss

First attested as Old Dutch Os in 1069. Etymology unknown. Potentially derived from an ancient hydronym. No relationship with os (“castrated bull”). Compare Ussen.

unk

unknown

Meronyms: Achterste Heide, Benedeneind, Berghem, Boveneind, Demen, Deursen-Dennenburg, Dieden, Duurendseind, Elst, Geffen, Gement, Haren, Herpen, Huisseling, Keent, Kleine Koolwijk, Koolwijk, Lith, Lithoijen, Macharen, Maren-Kessel, Megen, Neerlangel, Neerloon, Oijen, Overlangel, Ravenstein, Teeffelen, 't Wild

Oss (a city and municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands)


Zoetermeer

First attested as soetermere. Compound of the hydronym Zoete and Middle Dutch mere (“lake, pool”) (modern meer). The first element was gradually reinterpreted to zoet (“potable, sweet”). Compare Zoeterwoude and Zwieten.

Meronym: Roeleveen

A city and municipality of South Holland, Netherlands without city rights


Hoorn

* (Noord-Holland) First attested as hoern in 1289. Derived from Middle Dutch horne (“protruding bend, corner”).
* (Friesland) First attested as horon in 1482. Borrowed from West Frisian Hoarne, derived in turn from Old Frisian horn (“protruding bend, corner”).
* (Gelderland) First attested as hoerne in 1333-1334. Derived from hoorn (“protruding piece of land”).
* (Groningen) First attested as Hoorn in 1634. Derived from hoorn (“prominent bend, corner”).
* (Alphen aan den Rijn, hamlet) First attested as De Hoorn Polder in 1615. Derived from hoorn (“prominent bend, corner”).
* (Alphen aan den Rijn, neighbourhood) The neighbourhood is named after the hamlet.

der

Meronyms: Blokker, Zwaag

A city and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands

A village in Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands

A hamlet in Heerde, Gelderland, Netherlands

A hamlet in Westerwolde, Groningen, Netherlands

A hamlet in Alphen aan den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands

A neighbourhood of Alphen aan den Rijn, South Holland, Netherlands


Nederweert

First attested as meervelt in 1350. Derived from a compound of neder (“lower”) and the toponym Weert. The settlement was originally named Meerveld (a compound of meer (“lake, pool”) and veld (“field”)).
See also Limburgish Ni-jwieërt.

Meronyms: Boeket, Bosserstraat, Budschop, Horick, Horickheide, Hulsen, Klaarstraat, Kreijel, Leveroy, Mildert, Nederweert-Eind, Ospel, Ospeldijk, Roeven, Schoor, Strateris, Waatskamp

Nederweert (a village and municipality of Limburg, Netherlands)


Geldrop

First attested as gheldorp in 1302. Compound of an unknown first element and dorp (“village, settlement”). The first element has been interpreted as Middle Dutch gelde (“infertile”) or Old Dutch Gello (a personal name).

A village and former municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo, North Brabant, Netherlands


Heiloo

First attested as heilingloh, heileginlo and heilegenlo in the first half of the 11th century. Compound of Old Dutch hēlig (“holy, sacred”) and lo (“light forest”).

Meronyms: Bollendorp, Kaandorp, Kapel, Oosterzij

A village and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands


Medemblik

First attested as medemolaca in 918-948. Derived from a compound of Old Frisian medeme (“middle, mid-”) and laca (“natural watercourse”). Originally a hydronym. Compare Oosterleek and Oterleek.

Meronyms: Abbekerk, Andijk, Bangert, Bennemeer, Benningbroek, Broerdijk, De Buurt, Hauwert, Het Hoogeland, Kerkbuurt, Koppershorn, Lambertschaag, Lekermeer, Midwoud, Munnikij, Nibbixwoud, Onderdijk, Oostwoud, Opperdoes, Sijbekarspel, Twisk, Veldhuis, Wervershoof, Wijzend, Wognum, Zomerdijk, Zwaagdijk-Oost, Zwaagdijk-West

A small city and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands


Barendrecht

First attested as berendrech in 1265. From Middle Dutch Berendrecht, Barendrecht. The first element may be Middle Dutch bere (“mud”), beer (“boar, male pig”), or Old Dutch Bero (a personal name); the second is -drecht. Compare Duivendrecht, Ossendrecht, Papendrecht, Woensdrecht and Zwijndrecht.

Meronyms: Barendrechtse Veer, Koedood, Smitshoek

A village and municipality of South Holland, Netherlands


Baarn

First attested as barne in 1308. The toponym is cognate to Middle Dutch bernen (“burn”) and berne (“fuel”).
Popular etymology holds that the city is named after Verona, but this origin story of the name is not backed up by the oldest attestations of the toponym.

Meronyms: Eembrugge, Lage Vuursche, Soestdijk

A city and municipality of Utrecht, Netherlands


Zoutelande

First attested as soutenlande in 1256. Compound of zout (“salt”) (used here in a dialectal sense to refer to land located outside of a levee) and land (“land”).
See also Zealandic Zoetelande.

A village and former municipality of Veere, Zeeland, Netherlands


Delfzijl

First attested as in delfzilen in 1303. Compound of the hydronym Delf (derived from delven (“dig, excavate”)) and zijl (“discharge sluice”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon Delfziel.

A city and former municipality of Eemsdelta, Groningen, Netherlands


Het Hogeland

/ɦɛt ˈɦoː.ɣəˌlɑnt/

Derived from a compound of hoog (“high, elevated”) and land (“land”). The municipality is located at a slightly higher elevation than its closest neighbours.

Meronyms: Abbeweer, Adorp, Alinghuizen, Arwerd, Baflo, Barnegaten, Bedum, Bellingeweer, Bethlehem, Beusum, Bokum, Breede, De Dingen, De Hoogte, De Horn, De Houw, De Knijp, Den Andel, Den Hander, De Raken, De Streek, De Vennen, Deikum, Doodstil, Douwen, Eelswerd, Eenrum, Elens, Ellerhuizen, Eppenhuizen, Ernstheem, Ewer, Grijssloot, Groot Maarslag, Groot Wetsinge, Hammeland, Harssens, Hefswal, Hekkum, Helwerd, Heuvelderij, Hiddingezijl, Holwinde, Hornhuizen, Houwerzijl, Kaakhorn, Kantens, Katershorn, Kattenburg, Klei, Kleine Huisjes, Klein Garnwerd, Klein Maarslag, Klein Wetsinge, Kloosterburen, Kolham, Koningsoord, Kruisweg, Lauwersoog, Leens, Lutje Marne, Lutjewolde, Lutke Saaxum, Maarhuizen, Menkeweer, Menneweer, Mensingeweer, Midhalm, Molenrij, Niekerk, Nijenklooster, Noordpolder, Noordpolderzijl, Noordwolde, Obergum, Oldenzijl, Oldorp, Onderdendam, Onderwierum, Oosteinde, Oosterhuizen, Oosternieland, Oudedijk, Oudeschip, Paapstil, Panser, Pieterburen, Plattenburg, Ranum, Rasquert, Rodewolt, Roodehaan, Roodeschool, Rottum, Saaxumhuizen, Sauwerd, Schapehals, Schaphalsterzijl, Schilligeham, Schouwen, Schouwerzijl, Sint Annerhuisjes, Startenhuizen, Stitswerd, Takkebos, Ter Laan, Tijum, Tinallinge, 't Lage van de Weg, 't Stort, Uithuizen, Uithuizermeeden, Ulrum, Usquert, Valcum, Valom, Vierhuizen, Vliedorp, Wadwerd, Warffum, Warfhuizen, Wehe-den Hoorn, Westerdijkshorn, Westerhorn, Westerklooster, Westernieland, Wetsinge, Wierhuizen, Wierum, Wildeveld, Willemsstreek, Winsum, Zandeweer, Zevenhuizen, Zoutkamp, Zuidwolde, Zuurdijk

A municipality of Groningen, Netherlands


Loppersum

First attested as loppesheim in 944. Compound of Old Frisian Loppe (a personal name) and heem (“home, settlement”).

A village and former municipality of Eemsdelta, Groningen, Netherlands


Midden-Groningen

Derived from midden (“middle, mid-”) and the toponym Groningen.

Meronyms: Achterdiep, Beneden Veensloot, Blokum, Bokhörn, Borgweg, Boven Veensloot, Denemarken, De Paauwen, Duurkenakker, Eelshuis, Foxham, Foxhol, Foxholsterbosch, Froombosch, Gaarland, Harkstede, Heidenschap, Hellum, Het Veen, Hoogezand, Jagerswijk, Kalkwijk, Kibbelgaarn, Kiel-Windeweer, Kleinemeer, Kolham, Korengarst, Kropswolde, Lageland, Langewijk, Leentjer, Luddeweer, Lula, Meeden, Muntendam, Nieuwe Compagnie, Noordbroek, Noordbroeksterhamrik, Overschild, Roeksweer, Ruiten, Sappemeer, Schaaphok, Scharmer, Schildwolde, Siddeburen, Slochteren, Spitsbergen, Steendam, Stootshorn, Tjuchem, Tripscompagnie, Tusschenloegen, Tussenklappen, Uiterburen, Waterhuizen, Westeind, Westerbroek, Wilderhof, Wolfsbarge, Woudbloem, Zuidbroek


Oldambt

Compound of oud (“old”) and ambt (“district, bailiwick”). The municipality is named after one of the former districts of the Ommelanden.

Meronyms: Bad Nieuweschans, Beerta, Beersterhoogen, Bikkershorn, Blauwestad, Booneschans, Bovenstreek, Carel Coenraadpolder, Drieborg, Ekamp, Finsterwolde, Finsterwolderhamrik, Ganzedijk, Goldhoorn, Hamdijk, Hardenberg, Heiligerlee, Hongerige Wolf, Kostverloren, Kromme-Elleboog, Kroonpolder, Lutje Loug, Meerland, Midwolda, Modderland, Napels, Niesoord, Nieuw Beerta, Nieuwe Statenzijl, Nieuwolda, Nieuw Scheemda, Oostereinde, Oostwold, Oostwolderhamrik, Oostwolderpolder, Oudedijk, Oude Statenzijl, Oudezijl, Scheemda, Scheemdermeer, Scheemderzwaag, Scheve Klap, Stadspolder, Tranendal, 't Waar, Ulsda, Westerlee, Winschoten, Winschoterzijl, Zuiderveen


Pekela

First attested as Pekel A, Pekell Ae and Pekel Ae in 1566. Named after a hydronym, derived in turn from a compound of the toponym Pekel (potentially connected to Middle Low German peke (“swamp reed, rush”)) and aa (“watercourse, river”). The hydronym gave its name to a large peat extraction settlement which fragmented into several villages with the passage of time.

cog

Meronyms: Boven Pekela, Bronsveen, Dwarsdiep, Hoetmansmeer, Kruiselwerk, Nieuwe Pekela, Oude Pekela, Wildeplaats


Stadskanaal

First attested as Nieuw-Stads-Kanaal in 1858. Compound of stad + -s- + kanaal. The city in question is Groningen.
See also Dutch Low Saxon Knoal.

Meronyms: Alteveer, Barlage, Blekslage, Braamberg, Ceresdorp, Höchte, Höfte, Holte, Horsten, Kopstukken, Mussel, Musselkanaal, Onstwedde, Oomsberg, Smeerling, Sterenborg, Tange, Ter Maarsch, Ter Wupping, Veenhuizen, Vledderhuizen, Vledderveen, Vosseberg, Wessinghuizen

A town and municipality of Groningen, Netherlands


Veendam

First attested as Veendam in 1655. Compound of veen (“peat bog, marsh”) and dam (“dam”).

Meronyms: Borgercompagnie, Korte Akkers, Numero Dertien, Ommelanderwijk, Westerdiepsterdallen, Wildervank, Wildervanksterdallen, Zuidwending

A city and municipality of Groningen, Netherlands without city rights


Westerkwartier

en:Groningen (province)
en:Netherlands
en:Westerkwartier

* (municipality) After the historical region of Westerkwartier in Groningen, the Netherlands. Equivalent to wester- (“western”) + kwartier (“quarter”, i.e. region or place).
* (neighbourhood) Compound of wester (“western”) and kwartier (“quarter, neighbourhood”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon Westerkertier.

prefix

Meronyms: Aalsum, Aduard, Aduarder Voorwerk, Aduarderzijl, Allersma, Antum, Bakkerom, Balmahuizen, Barnwerd, Beswerd, Blauw, Boerakker, Boerenstreek, Bokkebuurt, Bolshuizen, Breemen, Brillerij, Briltil, Buikstede, De Bombay, De Eest, De Haar, De Haspel, De Holm, De Jammer, De Jouwer, De Kampen, De Linde, Den Ham, Den Horn, De Poffert, De Ruigewaard, De Snipperij, De Tenten, De Wieren, De Wijk, De Wilp, Diepswal, Doezum, Dorp, Dwarshaspel, Eekeburen, Eibersburen, Electra, Englum, Enumatil, Ezinge, Faan, Feerwerd, Fransum, Fransumer Voorwerk, Frytum, Gaaikemadijk, Gaaikemaweer, Gaarkeuken, Garnwerd, Grijpskerk, Grootegast, Hamrik, Hardeweer, Heereburen, Heineburen, Het Schoor, Hilmahuis, Hoogemeeden, Ikum, Jonkersvaart, Kenwerd, Keuningswijk, Kokswijk, Kommerzijl, Kornhorn, Korhorn, Krassum, Kroonsfeld, Kuzemer, Kuzemerbalk, Lagemeeden, Lammerburen, Lauwerzijl, Leek, Lettelbert, Lucaswolde, Lutjegast, Marum, Midwolde, Niebert, Niehove, Niekerk, Nieuwbrug, Nieuwklap, Niezijl, Noorderburen, Noordhorn, Noordhornerga, Noordhornertolhek, Noordwijk, Nuis, Okswerd, Oldehove, Oldekerk, Oosterzand, Oostindië, Oostwold, Oostum, Opende, Pama, Pasop, Peebos, Pieterzijl, Ruigezand, Saaksum, Schifpot, Sebaldeburen, Selwerd, Spanjaardsdijk, Steentil, Suttum, 't Hoekje, 't Kret, 't Malijk, Tolbert, Tolhek, Topweer, Trimunt, Veldstreek, Visvliet, Westerhorn, Westerzand, Wierumerschouw, Willemstad, Zandwijk, Zethuis, Zevenhuizen, Zuiderburen, Zuidhorn

A historical region in Groningen, Netherlands

A neighbourhood of Delft, South Holland, Netherlands


Westerwolde

Compound of wester (“western, west-”) and wold (“marsh forest, swamp forest”). The municipality is named after one of the former districts of the Ommelanden.

Meronyms: Abeltjeshuis, Barnflair, Bellingwolde, Blijham, Borgertange, Borgerveld, Bourtange, Bovenstreek, De Bruil, De Bult, De Heemen, De Lethe, De Maten, Den Ham, De Vennen, Ellersinghuizen, Hanetange, Harpel, Hebrecht, Hoorn, Hoornderveen, Jipsingboermussel, Jipsingboertange, Jipsinghuizen, Kielhuppen, Klein-Ulsda, Klontjebuurt, Koudehoek, Lammerweg, Laude, Lauderbeetse, Laudermarke, Lauderzwarteveen, Leemdobben, Lutjeloo, Morige, Munnekemoer, Oudeschans, Over de Dijk, Overdiep, Pallert, Plaggenborg, Poldert, Renneborg, Rhederbrug, Rhederveld, Rijsdam, Roelage, Sellingen, Sellingerbeetse, Sellingerzwarteveen, Slegge, Stakenborg, Stobben, Ter Apel, Ter Apelkanaal, Ter Borg, Ter Haar, Ter Walslage, Ter Wisch, Tjabbesoord, 't Schot, Veele, Veelerveen, Veendijk, Veerste Veldhuis, Vlagtwedde, Vlagtwedder-Barlage, Vlagtwedder-Veldhuis, Voorwold, Vriescheloo, Wedde, Wedderheide, Wedderveer, Weende, Weenderveld, Weite, Wessingtange, Westeind, Winschoterhoogebrug, Wollingboermarke, Wollinghuizen, Zandstroom, Zuidveld


Kampen

* (Overijssel) First attested as in campis in 1217. Derived from the dative plural form of kamp (“enclosed piece of land”).
* (Friesland) First attested as kam in 1486. Calque of West Frisian De Kampen, derived from the plural form of Old Frisian kamp (“enclosed piece of land”).
* (Zeeland) Attested as Kampen in 1747. Derived from the dative plural form of kamp (“enclosed piece of land”).

der

Meronyms: Bisschopswetering, De Heuvels, De Roskam, De Zande, Grafhorst, Hogeweg, IJsselmuiden, Kampereiland, Kamperveen, Mastenbroek, Nieuwstad, Oosterholt, 's-Heerenbroek, Veecaten, Wilsum, Zalk

A Hanseatic city and municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands

A hamlet in Súdwest-Fryslân, Friesland, Netherlands


Beesel

First attested as Bisela in 1173. Potentially a compound of bies (“bulrush, Scirpus”) and lo (“open place in a forest”). Proposed derivations from Middle Dutch bise (“hind”) or bise (“black”), bize are incorrect; all three terms are loans from Middle French, and Beesel was located outside of the sphere of influence of the Romance languages. Compare Beesd, Bisselt and Lage Bijssel.
See also Limburgish Bezel.

Meronyms: Bussereind, Offenbeek, Reuver, Rijkel

A village and municipality of Limburg, Netherlands


Brunssum

First attested as brunsham around 1170-1180. Compound of Old Dutch Brun (a personal name) and ham (“alluvial land in the bend of a river”).
See also Limburgish Broenssem.

Meronyms: Bouwberg, Rumpen, Treebeek

A city and municipality of Limburg, Netherlands


Echt-Susteren

Meronyms: Aan Reijans, Aasterberg, Baakhoven, Berkelaar, Dieteren, Echt, Echterbosch, Gebroek, Heide, Hingen, Illikhoven, Kokkelert, Koningsbosch, Maria Hoop, Nieuwstadt, Oevereind, Ophoven, Oud-Roosteren, Pepinusbrug, Pey, Putbroek, Roosteren, Schilberg, Sint Joost, Slek, Spaanshuisken, Susteren, Visserweert


Eijsden-Margraten

Meronyms: Banholt, Bemelen, Berg, Bergenhuizen, Breust, Bruisterbosch, Cadier en Keer, Eckelrade, Eijsden, Gasthuis, Gronsveld, Groot-Welsden, Herkenrade, Honthem, Hoog-Caestert, Hoogcruts, Klein-Welsden, Laag-Caestert, Libeek, Margraten, Mariadorp, Mesch, Mheer, Moerslag, Noorbeek, Oost-Maarland, Rijckholt, Scheulder, Schey, Schilberg, Sint Antoniusbank, Sint Geertruid, Terhorst, Terlinden, Termaar, 't Rooth, Ulvend, Vroelen, Wesch, Withuis, Wolfshuis


Gennep

* (Limburg) First attested as in pago Ganipi in 949. Derived from a hydronym analysable as a compound of Proto-Germanic *gan- (“bright, confluent”) and *apa (“river, current”) suffixed with the locational suffix *-ja-. Compare Genemuiden and Genne.
* (Noord-Brabant) First attested as in ghennepe in 1249. Derived from a hydronym analysable as a compound of Proto-Germanic *gan- (“bright, confluent”) and *apa (“river, current”) suffixed with the locational suffix *-ja-. Compare Genemuiden and Genne.

Meronyms: Aaldonk, Dam, De Looi, Diekendaal, Heijen, Hekkens, Milsbeek, Ottersum, Smele, Ven-Zelderheide, Zelder

A hamlet in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands


Gulpen-Wittem

Meronyms: Beertsenhoven, Berghem, Berghof, Beutenaken, Billinghuizen, Bissen, Bommerig, Broek, Cartils, Crapoel, Dal, De Hut, Diependal, Elkenrade, Elzet, Epen, Eperheide, Etenaken, Euverem, Eys, Eyserheide, Gracht Burggraaf, Gulpen, Heijenrath, Helle, Hilleshagen, Höfke, Hurpesch, Ingber, Kapolder, Kleeberg, Kosberg, Kuttingen, Landsrade, Mechelen, Nijswiller, Overeys, Overgeul, Partij, Pesaken, Piepert, Plaat, Reijmerstok, Schilberg, Schweiberg, Sinselbeek, Slenaken, Stokhem, Terpoorten, Terziet, Trintelen, Wahlwiller, Waterop, Wijlre, Wittem


Heerlen

First attested as Late Latin Coriouallum and Corioualum around 300. Derived from a Germanic calque of an earlier Celtic name. The Germanic term is a compound of Proto-Germanic *harja- (“army”) and *walla (“wall”). An alternative theory posits that the Germanic term was calqued into Celtic. Proposed derivations from *harila (“small sandy ridge”) or a compound of Old Dutch her (“army”) and le (“burial mound”) are incorrect. Compare Heel and Heerle.
See also Limburgish Heële.

Meronyms: Benzenrade, Hoensbroek, Hondsrug, Schurenberg, Ten Esschen


Horst aan de Maas

Named after Horst. The identifier aan de Maas ("on the Meuse") was added to distinguish the municipality from similarly-named places.

Meronyms: America, Broek, Broekeind, Broekhuizen, Broekhuizenvorst, Californië, De Hees, De Heide, De Steegh, De Vorst, Eikelenbosch, Elshout, Evertsoord, Genenberg, Griendtsveen, Grubbenvorst, Gun, Hazenhorst, Hegelsom, Homberg, Horst, Houthuizen, Keuter, Kronenberg, Legert, Lottum, Lovendaal, Meerlo, Megelsum, Melderslo, Meterik, Moleneind, Most, Ooijen, Oostenrijk, Osterbos, Raaieind, Schadijk, Sevenum, Steeg, Stokt, Swolgen, Tienray, Tongerlo, Ulfterhoek, Vinkepas, Wielder, Zeelberg, Zwaanenheike


Kerkrade

First attested as ad ecclesiam in predio quod est Rode in 1108. Compound of kerk (“church”) and rode (“land cleared of trees”) (from Middle Dutch rods, ultimately related to Proto-West Germanic *ruddjan (“to clear”)).
See also Central Franconian Kirchroa.

Meronyms: Eygelshoven, Ham


Landgraaf

First attested as Landgraaf in 1803-1820. Derived from landgraaf (“complex of earthen walls used to defend and delineate territory”). The name initially referred solely to the municipality, but gradually came to be applied to the conurbation within it. Compare Landerd and Landweert.

Meronyms: Hopel, Nieuwenhagen, Rimburg, Schaesberg, Waubach


Leudal

Derived from a compound of the hydronym Leu and dal (“dale, valley”). The municipality was named after a small brook which flows through it.

Meronyms: Aan de Bergen, Aan het Broek, Achter het Klooster, Asbroek, Baexem, Beekkant, Blenkert, Brumholt, Buggenum, Caluna, Castert, De Horck, Dries, Eiland, Eind, Ell, Ellerhei, Gendijk, Geneijgen, Gerhegge, Grathem, Haelen, Haelense Broek, Hanssum, Haler, Heiakker, Heibloem, Heide, Heioord, Heugde, Heythuysen, Hoek, Hollander, Hoogstraat, Horn, Hunsel, Ittervoort, Kappert, Karreveld, Kelpen-Oler, Kinkhoven, Laak, Maxet, Mortel, Neer, Neeritter, Nijken, Nunhem, Op de Bos, Ophoven, Roggel, Schaapsbrug, Schans, Schillersheide, Smidstraat, Strubben, Uffelse, Venne, Vestjenshoek, Vlaas, Waije


Maasgouw

Calque of Vulgar Latin Pagus Mosarium (“Pagus of the Meuse”), a name for the historical Maasgau region under Frankish rule. Equivalent to Maas (“Meuse”) + gouw (“pagus”, Frankish gau).

compound

Frankish <i class="Latn mention" lang="en">gau</i>

Meronyms: Baarstraat, Beegden, Bilt, Brachterbeek, Brandt, Eiland, Heel, Linne, Maasbracht, Ohé en Laak, Osen, Panheel, Pol, Santfort, Stevensweert, Thorn, Weerd, Wessem

administrative region
administrative region

(historical) An administrative region in Francia, roughly corresponding to modern-day Limburg, the Netherlands; Limburg, Belgium; and Liège, Belgium


Meerssen

First attested as marsna in 847. Potentially derived from Proto-Germanic *mar- (“body of water, pool, watercourse”) or from a non-Germanic source. Compare Maarssen.
See also Limburgish Meersje.

inh

Meronyms: Broekhoven, Brommelen, Bunde, Genzon, Geulle, Geulle aan de Maas, Hulsen, Humcoven, Hussenberg, Kasen, Moorveld, Oostbroek, Raar, Rothem, Schietecoven, Snijdersberg, Stommeveld, Ulestraten, Vliek, Voulwames, Waterval, Weert, Westbroek


Mook en Middelaar

Meronyms: Bisselt, Heikant, Katerbosch, Middelaar, Mook, Plasmolen, Riethorst


Nuth

First attested as neuta in 1034. Etymology unknown. Perhaps related to Middle Dutch nut (“harvest”) or genieten (“make use of, enjoy”).
See also Limburgish Nut.

unk

unknown

A village and former municipality of Beekdaelen, Limburg, Netherlands


Wognum

First attested as wokgunge in the first half of the 11th century. Etymology uncertain. Potentially derived from an ancient hydronym derived from Proto-Germanic *wag (“moving water, wave”) suffixed with the rare collectivising suffix Old Dutch -ung-. The toponym is unlikely to derive from a personal name. Compare Weiwerd and Wogmeer.

cog

A village and former municipality of Medemblik, North Holland, Netherlands


Beekdaelen

Derived from a compound of beek (“brook, stream”) and an archaising plural form of daal (“dale, valley”). The municipality is named for the many brooks that flow through it.

Meronyms: Aalbeek, Amstenrade, Arensgenhout, Bingelrade, Brand, Breinder, Brommelen, Doenrade, Etzenrade, Grijzegrubben, Haasdal, Hegge, Heisterbrug, Helle, Hellebroek, Hommert, Hulsberg, Hunnecum, Jabeek, Kamp, Kathagen, Klein-Doenrade, Kling, Kruis, Laar, Merkelbeek, Nagelbeek, Nierhoven, Nuth, Oensel, Oirsbeek, Op de Bies, Puth, Schimmert, Schinnen, Schinveld, Sweikhuizen, Swier, Terstraten, Tervoorst, Thull, Vaesrade, Viel, Vink, Wijnandsrade, Wissengracht, Wolfhagen


Peel en Maas

Derived from the toponym Peel and the hydronym Maas. The municipality was named for its location between its two namesakes.

Meronyms: Baarlo, Belgenhoek, Berg, Beringe, Bong, Broek, De Kievit, Dekeshorst, Dijk, Donk, Driessen, Dubbroek, Egchel, Egchelheide, Everlo, Grashoek, Groeze, Hei, Helden, Heldensedijk, Hert, Hout, Houthei, Houwenberg, Hub, Katsberg, Kaumeshoek, Kessel, Kessel-Eik, Keup, Koningslust, Korte Heide, Laagheide, Laar, Lang Hout, Lange Heide, Leeuwerik, Loo, Maasbree, Maris, Meijel, Molenbaan, Molenhuizen, Nederweerterdijk, Oyen, Panningen, Platveld, Rinkesfort, Roggelse Dijk, Schafelt, Schoorveld, Soeterbeek, Spiesberg, Spurkt, Steenoven, 't Heeske, Tongerlo, 't Rooth, Vergelt, Vieruitersten, Vliegert, Vosberg, Witdonk, Zandberg, Zelen


Roerdalen

Derived from a compound of the hydronym Roer and the plural form of dal (“dale, valley”). The municipality is named after the Roer river, which flows through it.

Meronyms: Aan het Broek, Borg, Etsberg, Herkenbosch, Holst, Lerop, Melick, Montfort, Paarlo, Posterholt, Reutje, Roskam, Rothenbach, Sint Odiliënberg, Tusschen de Bruggen, Vlodrop, Vlodrop-Station, Voorst, Voorsterveld


Simpelveld

First attested as semplouei and senplouoir in 1155. Derived from the Gallo-Roman toponym Latin *Sempervivetum (“Evergreen”), here perhaps referring to a forest of holly. Proposed derivations from *Simploviacum or a compound of Old Dutch semp (“rush”) and lo (“light forest”) do not match well with the oldest attestations. The current form of the toponym developed under the influence of a folk-etymological reinterpration of the name as a compound of simpel (“simple”) and veld (“field”).

Meronyms: Baaks-Sweijer, Baneheide, Bocholtz, Bocholtzerheide, Bosschenhuizen, Broek, Bulkemsbroek, Huls, In de Gaas, Molsberg, Prickart, Vlengendaal, Waalbroek, Zandberg


Vaals

First attested as vals in 1041. Potentially derived from the plural form of Latin vallis (“vale, valley”) or from the dative plural of vallum (“wall”), referring here to a vineyard ringed by earthen walls.
See also Central Franconian Vols.

Meronyms: Camerig, Cottessen, Harles, Holset, Lemiers, Mamelis, Melleschet, Oud-Lemiers, Raren, Rott, Vijlen, Wolfhaag


Valkenburg aan de Geul

Named after Valkenburg. The identifier aan de Geul ("on the Geul") was added to distinguish the municipality from Valkenburg in South Holland.

Meronyms: Berg, Broekhem, Emmaberg, Engwegen, Geulhem, Heek, Heerstraat, Houthem, IJzeren, Keutenberg, Oud-Valkenburg, Schin op Geul, Schoonbron, Sibbe, Sint Gerlach, Strabeek, Strucht, Terblijt, Vilt, Vroenhof, Walem


Venray

First attested as de rode in 1220. Compound of ven (“pool in a forest or heath”) and rode (“land cleared of trees”).

Meronyms: Beek, Blitterswijck, Boddenbroek, Boshuizen, Castenray, Daland, Endepoel, Geijsteren, Haag, Heide, Helling, Hoogriebroek, Kleindorp, Klein Oirlo, Laagriebroek, Leunen, Loobeek, Merselo, Molenhoek, Oirlo, Oostrum, Overbroek, Scheide, Schoor, Smakt, Veulen, Vredepeel, Wanssum, Weverslo, Ysselsteyn, Zandhoek

A town and municipality of Limburg, Netherlands


Voerendaal

First attested as furentele in 1065. Compound of the hydronym Voer (related to varen) and the dative singular form of dal (“dale, valley”).

Meronyms: Barrier, Colmont, Craubeek, Dolberg, Fromberg, Hellebeuk, Klimmen, Koulen, Kruishoeve, Kunderberg, Kunrade, Lubosch, Mingersborg, Opscheumer, Overheek, Ransdaal, Retersbeek, Termaar, Termoors, Terveurt, Ubachsberg, Weustenrade, Winthagen


Cuijk

First attested as Ceuclum around 365. Potentially derived from Proto-Indo-European *geug- (“bend, curve”), here referring to a bend in the Meuse. A competing hypothesis proposes an interpretation of the toponym as a Celtic or Latin name suffixed with Gallo-Roman Latin -acum. Compare Blerick, Bunnik, Geverik, Lopik, Maurik, Mook, Niftrik, Odijk, Varik, Woezik and Fellerich.

A large village and former municipality of Land van Cuijk, North Brabant, Netherlands


Schagen

First attested as scagha at the end of the 11th century. Derived from the dative plural form of Old Dutch scaga (“copse, thicket”).

Meronyms: Abbestede, Bliekenbos, Burgerbrug, Burgervlotbrug, Callantsoog, De Stolpen, Dijkstaal, Dirkshorn, Eenigenburg, Groenveld, Groote Keeten, Grootven, Grotewal, Het Korfwater, Huiskebuurt, Kalverdijk, Keinse, Keinsmerbrug, Kerkbuurt, Krabbendam, Lagedijk, Leihoek, Mennonietenbuurt, Nes, Oudesluis, Petten, Schagerbrug, Schagerwaard, Schoorldam, Sint Maarten, Sint Maartensbrug, Sint Maartensvlotbrug, Sint Maartenszee, Slootgaard, Stolpervlotbrug, Stroet, 't Buurtje, Tjallewal, Tolke, 't Rijpje, Tuitjenhorn, 't Wad, 't Zand, Valkkoog, Waarland, Warmenhuizen, Woudmeer, Zijbelhuizen, Zijpersluis

A city and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands


Julianadorp

* (Noord-Holland) First attested as School in 1867. Compound of Juliana + dorp. The village is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. The village received this name in 1909 at the request of Pieter Loopuyt, a descendant of the settlement's founder.
* (Curaçao) Compound of Juliana (a personal name) + dorp (“village, settlement”). Named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.
* (Zuid-Holland) Compound of Juliana (a personal name) + dorp (“village, settlement”). Named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. The neighbourhood's streets are named after members of the House of Orange.

compound

A village in Den Helder, North Holland, Netherlands

A neighbourhood of Zwijndrecht, South Holland, Netherlands


Drachten

First attested as nortdracht and suutdracht in 1444. Derived from the hydronym Dracht, derived in turn from Old Frisian draga (“flow, pull”).

A town and former municipality of Smallingerland, Friesland, Netherlands


Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten

Named after Nuenen, Gerwen and Nederwetten.

Meronyms: Alvershool, Boord, Eeneind, Gerwen, Heerendonk, Hool, Laar, Langlaar, Nederwetten, Nieuwe Dijk, Nuenen, Olen, Opwetten, Rullen, Spekt, Stad van Gerwen

A municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands


Joure

First attested as jeure in the 13th century. Etymology unknown. Potentially derived from the ancient hydronym *Gebharô or (less probably) from West Frisian hjouwer (“oat (Avena sativa)”). Compare Hiaure, De Joere and De Jouwer. See also West Frisian De Jouwer.

unk

unknown

cog

De Fryske Marren
De Fryske Marren#English

A town and former municipality of De Fryske Marren, Friesland, Netherlands


Dokkum

First attested as tochingen in 802-822. Potentially derived from the dative plural form of Old Frisian Dokko (a personal name) suffixed with the collectivising suffix -ingi- or, alternatively, from dokke (“type of plant, dock”). Compare Docking.

A city and former municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân, Friesland, Netherlands


Bolsward

First attested as BODLISWERT in 1038-1057. Derived from a compound of Old Frisian *Bodil (a personal name) and wert (“terp, artificial mound used for habitation”). The Dutch form of the toponym was borrowed from an earlier version of the Frisian name. See also West Frisian Boalsert.

A city and former municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân, Friesland, Netherlands


IJlst

First attested as jleke and yleke in the 13th century. Etymology unclear. Proposed etymologies from a hydronym *î-laki or from Old Frisian yl (“callus”) (referring here to hardened soil) do not match the oldest attestations. The Dutch form of the toponym was borrowed from an earlier version of the Frisian name.
See also West Frisian Drylts.

unk

unclear


Hindeloopen

First attested as hitinkufe and hintinlvofe around 822-825. Derived from a compound of Old Frisian hinda (“hind, female deer”) and hlop (“jump, leap”), apparently referring to a lower section of fencing which deer could jump over. The Dutch form of the toponym was borrowed from an older version of the Frisian name. Compare Hindlip.
See also West Frisian Hylpen.


Workum

First attested as waltercom in 1297. Derived from a compound of Old Frisian Waldrik (a personal name) and hēm (“home, settlement”). The Dutch form of the toponym was borrowed from an earlier version of the Frisian name.
See also West Frisian Warkum.


Sloten

* (Friesland) First attested as sloten in 1384. Calque of Old Frisian slāt (“ditch, dug watercourse”) in the dative plural form. See also West Frisian Sleat.
* (Noord-Holland) First attested as sloton in the first half of the 11th century. Derived from the dative plural form of the hydronym Slote, derived in turn from Old Dutch slōt (“ditch, dug watercourse”). Formerly an independent village.

inh

A city and former municipality of De Fryske Marren, Friesland, Netherlands

A neighbourhood and former municipality of Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands


Stavoren

First attested as stavron in the 10th or beginning of the 11th century. Presumably derived from the dative plural form of Old Frisian staver (“pole”). The Dutch form of the toponym was borrowed from an older version of the Frisian name. Compare Spijkenisse, Staverden, Stavenisse and Stavern.
See also West Frisian Starum.


Leiderdorp

First attested as legihan [read: legthan] in 918-948. The settlement lost its original name to Leiden over time. Its current name is a compound of Leiden and dorp (“village, settlement”).

Meronym: Achthoven

A village and municipality of South Holland, Netherlands


Oost-Vlieland

First attested as Oosteijnde in 1511. From a compound of oost (“east-, eastern”) + Vlieland.

A village in Vlieland, Friesland, Netherlands


West-Vlieland

(historical) A former village on Vlieland, lost to the sea in 1736.


Striep

First attested as Zurijp in 1573. Renamed in 2018 after an ancient settlement which was once located slightly west of the current hamlet.
See also West Frisian Stryp.

A hamlet in Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands


Cruquius

First attested as CRUQUIUS (DE) in 1851. Named after the steam-powered pumphouse De Cruquius that was used to drain the Haarlemmermeer, which in turn was named after Nicholaas Samuelszoon Cruquius. Cruquius had latinised his surname Kruik.

A village in Haarlemmermeer, North Holland, Netherlands


West-Terschelling

First attested as West Ter Schelling in 1773. Compound of west (“west-, western”) + Terschelling.
See also West Frisian West-Skylge.

A village in Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands


IJmuiden

First attested as IJmuiden in 1848. Compound of IJ (a hydronym) + muide (“mouth (of a river)”); the -n is following toponyms such as Muiden, where it indicates an old dative plural. The name was coined by lawyer and journalist Simon Vissering.

compound

A town in Velsen, North Holland, Netherlands


Schoorl

First attested as scoronlo in 918-948. From Middle Dutch scorle, from Old Dutch scoronlo. Compound of Old Dutch skora (“shore”) and Old Frisian la (“light forest”) or Old Dutch lo (“light forest”).

A village and former municipality of Bergen, North Holland, Netherlands


Pampus

First attested as Pamphuys in 1531. Likely a compound of the term pamp and pus, used here in an older sense to refer to a mucky, swollen mass. The first attestation is a reinterpretation to a compound of pamp and huis (“house”).

A shallow waterway in the IJmeer near Amsterdam, Netherlands.

An artificial island in the IJmeer, Netherlands.

A decommissioned fortress on the island Pampus, officially Fort aan het Pampus, part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, Netherlands.


Buiksloot

Attested as Bukesloot in 1544. Compound of Middle Dutch Buke (a personal name) or boeke (“beech, Fagus sylvatica”) and sloot (“ditch”). Formerly an independent village.


Watergang

/ˈʋaː.tərˌɣɑŋ/

First attested as waterganghe in 1343. Derived from Middle Dutch waterganc (“canal”). Named after a nearby canal.

A village in Waterland, North Holland, Netherlands


Ilpendam

First attested as ypeldamme in 1408. Compound of the hydronym Ilp and Middle Dutch dam (“dam”).

A village and former municipality of Waterland, North Holland, Netherlands


Koedijk

First attested as coedyc in 1323. Compound of Middle Dutch coe (“cow”) and dyc (“levee”).

A village and former municipality of Alkmaar, North Holland, Netherlands


Zaanstreek

A region in North Holland, Netherlands, including Zaanstad and Oostzaan.


Uitgeest

First attested as hutghest in 1105-1120. Compound of Old Dutch ūt (“out”) and gēst (“elevated sandy land”).

Meronyms: Assum, Busch en Dam, Groot Dorregeest, Klein Dorregeest, Limmerkoog

A village and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands


Heemskerk

First attested as heimethenkiricha and heimezenkyrke in the first half of the 11th century. Compound of Old Dutch Hemezo (a personal name) or Heimezo and kirika (“church”).
The surname derives from the toponym.

Meronyms: Heemskerkerduin, Noorddorp


Bloemendaal

* (Noord-Holland) Attested as Bloemendaels Kerck in 1680. Compound of the plural form of bloem (“flower”) and dal (“dale, valley”).
* (Zuid-Holland) First attested as blomendale in 1306. Compound of the plural form of Middle Dutch blume (“flower”) and dal (“dale, valley”).

Meronyms: Aerdenhout, Bennebroek, Bloemendaal aan Zee, Overveen, Vogelenzang

A neighbourhood and former municipality of Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands


Velsen

First attested as felisa after 786. Likely derived from the dative plural form of a hydronym, derived in turn from Proto-Indo-European *pel (“swamp, marsh”) suffixed with the hydronymic suffix *isa.

der

Meronyms: Driehuis, Hofgeest, IJmuiden, Santpoort-Noord, Santpoort-Zuid, Velsen-Noord, Velsen-Zuid, Velserbroek

A municipality of North Holland, Netherlands


Beverwijk

First attested as beuorhem in 918-948. Compound of Old Dutch bevur (“beaver, Castor fiber”) and wīk (“farmstead, village, settlement”).

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Meronym: Wijk aan Zee

A city and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands


Eierland

From ei + -er- + land. Named after the eggs produced by gull colonies that used to live on the island.

A region on the north of Texel, North Holland, Netherlands, historically a separate island and before that a part of Vlieland.


De Cocksdorp

Attested as COCKSDORP (DE) in 1841. From de Cock (a surname) + -s- + dorp (“village, settlement”). Named after Nicolaas Josephus de Cock (1804-1848), a shipowner who founded a company to develop the land around the settlement in 1835.

compound

A village in the north of Texel, North Holland, Netherlands.


Dijk

* (Limburg) Derived from dijk (“levee”).
* (Asten) First attested as Den Dijk in 1899. Derived from dijk (“levee”).
* (Meierijstad) First attested as Dijk in 1867. Derived from dijk (“levee”), here potentially used in a dialectal sense to refer to a raised road.
The surname derives from one of the senses of dijk or from one of several toponyms.

A hamlet in Peel en Maas, Limburg, Netherlands

A hamlet in Asten, North Brabant, Netherlands

A hamlet in Meierijstad, North Brabant, Netherlands


Hollum

First attested as hollum in 1485. Borrowed from West Frisian Hollum, potentially derived in turn from Old Frisian holm (“hill, elevated place, island”) or from a compound of Halle (a personal name) or a term cognate to Old English halh (“corner, bend”) and hēm (“home, settlement”). Compare Hall, Hallum and Hellum.

der

A village in Ameland, Friesland, Netherlands


Winschoten

Potentially attested as winsewida in the 13th century, attested with certainty as windschoter in 1391. Compound of Old Dutch Windo (a personal name) and kot (“cottage, shack, small farm”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon Winschoot.

A city and former municipality of Oldambt, Groningen, Netherlands


Den Burg

Potentially attested as osterburghem and ostarburghem in 918-948, attested with certainty as brochkerspel [read: borchkerspel] in 1377. Derived from Old Dutch burg (“fortified settlement, castle”).

inh

A village in Texel, North Holland, Netherlands


Ommen

First attested as de vmme in 1133. Etymology unknown. Potentially derived from a prehistoric hydronym. Not derived from a personal name.

unk

unknown

Meronyms: Archem, Arriën, Arriërveld, Beerze, Beerzerveld, Besthmen, Eerde, Giethmen, Hoogengraven, Junne, Lemele, Nieuwebrug, Ommerbosch, Ommerkanaal, Ommerschans, Ommerveld, Rotbrink, Stegeren, Stegerveld, Varsen, Vilsteren, Vinkenbuurt, Witharen, Zeesse

A city and municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands


Wolvega

First attested as wluegho in 1320. Borrowed from West Frisian Wolvegea, derived in turn from a compound of Old Frisian Wolf (a personal name) and gâ (“village, village area”).

A village and former municipality of Weststellingwerf, Friesland, Netherlands


Lutjebroek

First attested as lutekebroec around 1312. Compound of Middle Dutch luttic (“small”) and bruec (“marsh, marshland”). The element luttic was added to distinguish the settlement from Grootebroek.

A village in Stede Broec, North Holland, Netherlands near Enkhuizen


Enkhuizen

First attested as enchusen around 1305. Compound of Middle Dutch enge (“farmland next to a village”) and the plural form of huus (“house”).

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Meronyms: Oosterdijk, Westeinde


Drontermeer

A lake in the Netherlands, located between Flevoland, Gelderland and Overijssel.


Raalte

First attested with certainty as ralte in 1275. Etymology unknown. Not derived from rode (“land cleared of trees”). Compare Rolde.

unk

unknown

Meronyms: Boetele, Broekland, De Hooge Wegen, Heeten, Heino, Laag Zuthem, Lierderholthuis, Luttenberg, Mariënheem, Nieuw-Heeten, Schoonheten

A village and municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands


Buitenpost

Potentially attested as post in 1388, attested with certainty as uetpost in 1418. Calque of West Frisian Bûtenpost, a compound of Old Frisian buta (“outer, seaward”) and post (“simple bridge, gangboard across a ditch”). The element buiten was added to distinguish the settlement from Lutkepost.

A village and former municipality of Achtkarspelen, Friesland, Netherlands


Ter Apel

First attested as apel in 1458. Etymology unknown. Potentially derived from appel (“apple”), referring here to a forest of apple trees. Alternative etymologies include a derivation from a compound of Old Dutch aa (“river, watercourse”) and pôl (“pool”) and a derivation from Old Frisian apal (“shoring beam”). Compare Apeldoorn, Aperloo, Appeltern, Apuldram, Apeldorn and Appeldorn.

unknown

A village in Westerwolde, Groningen, Netherlands


Nieuwleusen

First attested as Nieuw-leusen in 1635. Univerbation of nieuw + Leusen. The element Leusen is of unknown origin. The element nieuw (“new”) was added at a later date to distinguish the settlement from Oudleusen.

unknown

A village and former municipality of Dalfsen, Overijssel, Netherlands


Oudleusen

First attested as lusne in 1311. Univerbation of oud + Leusen. The element Leusen is of unknown origin and is not related to loos (“drainage channel”). The element oud (“old”) was added at a later date to distinguish the settlement from Nieuwleusen. Compare Dalfsen, Hessum and Welsum.

unknown

A village in Dalfsen, Overijssel, Netherlands


Staphorst

First attested as staphorst in 1217. Compound of Middle Dutch stap (“step, slightly elevated place”) and horst (“overgrown elevated place”).

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Meronyms: De Leijen, Halfweg, Hamingen, IJhorst, Lankhorst, Punthorst, Rouveen, Slingenberg


Hoogezand-Sappemeer

A former municipality of Groningen, Netherlands


Diever

First attested as deuere in 1181. The toponym may be related to Middle Dutch *beduven (“dip in water, cover in water”). Alternatively, the toponym may derive from an ancient hydronym.
See also Dutch Low Saxon Dever.

cog

A village and former municipality of Westerveld, Drenthe, Netherlands


Smilde

First attested as Smilde in 1846. Difficult to interpret due to a paucity of old attestations. Proposed etymologies include a derivation from a term cognate to smal (“narrow”), a derivation from Old Saxon *smeltitha (“soft swampland”) and a derivation from smele (“hair grass, Deschampsia sp.”). Compare Smele.
See also Dutch De Smilde.

A village and former municipality of Midden-Drenthe, Drenthe, Netherlands


Dwingeloo

/ˈdʋɪ.ŋəˌloː/

First attested as twingelo in 1181. Compound of an unclear first element and lo (“light forest”). The first element has been interpreted as Proto-Germanic *thwangi (“belt”) and Middle Dutch dwing (“legal district, reserved area”). Compare Balloo.
See also Dutch Low Saxon Dwingel.


Steenwijk

First attested with certainty as stenwic in 1206. Compound of Old Dutch steen (“stone”) and wijk (“farmstead, village, settlement”).
See also Dutch Low Saxon Stienwiek, Steenwiek.

A city and former municipality of Steenwijkerland, Overijssel, Netherlands


Wezep

First attested as wisepe in 1231. Etymology uncertain. Potentially a compound of either Proto-Germanic *wese- (“pasture”) or *wisi- (“good”) and *apa (“river, current”). A derivation from Proto-Indo-European *wis- (“flow, flow away”) or *weis- is also possible. Compare Weesp, Wesepe and Wezup.

A village in Oldebroek, Gelderland, Netherlands


Wieringen

First attested as pago wirense and pago wirensi around the end of the 8th century and the early 9th century. Derived from Old Frisian *wîr (“artificial mound”) suffixed with the collectivising suffix -ingi-.

A region, former island and former municipality with city rights in North Holland, Netherlands.


Twello

First attested as twentlo at the end of the 13th century. Likely a compound derived from dialectal tween (“two”) and lo (“light forest”).

A village and former municipality of Gelderland, Netherlands


Hattemerbroek

First attested as hattemerbroeck in 1416. Univerbation of Hattemer + broek. Originally the name of a field.


Wapenveld

First attested as wapegelde in the middle of the 12th century. Etymology unknown. The toponym has been compared to Wapenfeld in Schleswig-Holstein, which is derived from a compound formed from Middle Low German wapel (“stagnant water, swamp”) and velt (“field”). The oldest attestations of the Dutch toponym, however, do not morphologically resemble their alleged German counterpart. Compare De Wopereis.

unk

unknown

cog

A village in Heerde, Gelderland, Netherlands


Vollenhove

First attested as fulnaho in 944. Compound of the genitive plural form of Old Dutch ful (“foal”) and hô (“elevated place”). The toponym was gradualy reinterpreted as a compound of vol (“full”) and hoeve (“farmstead”). Compare Holthone, Meddo and Wiene.
See also Dutch Low Saxon Veno.


Willemsoord

First attested as Kolonie Willemsoord in 1830-1855. Compound of Willem + -s- + oord, named after William II of the Netherlands. Compare Boschoord, Frederiksoord and Wilhelminaoord.

A village in Steenwijkerland, Overijssel, Netherlands


Wilhelminaoord

First attested as WILHELMINA'SOORD in 1849. Compound of Wilhelmina + oord. Named after Wilhelmina of Prussia. Compare Boschoord, Frederiksoord and Willemsoord.

A village in Westerveld, Drenthe, Netherlands

Wilhelmina of Prussia, Princess of Orange


Frederiksoord

* (Drenthe) Attested as Frederiks Oord in 1846. Compound of Frederik + -s- + oord, named after Frederick of the Netherlands. Compare Boschoord, Wilhelminaoord and Willemsoord.
* (Zuid-Holland) Likely named after Frederiksoord in Drenthe as a reference to land that was hard to work.

A neighbourhoods of Katwijk, South Holland, Netherlands


Dries

First attested as Driest in 1838-1857. Derived from dries (“land not in cultivation, temporarily vacant land”).
See also Limburgish Drees.

A hamlet in Leudal, Limburg, Netherlands


Vught

First attested as fughte in 1028. Derived from Middle Dutch vucht (“humid area, wetland”), from Old Dutch fughte, from Proto-West Germanic *fų̄ht.

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Meronyms: Bergenshuizen, Cromvoirt, Distelberg, Gijzel, Helvoirt, Laar, Loveren, Molenstraat

A town and municipality of North Brabant, Netherlands


Voorburg

* (Zuid-Holland) First attested as foreburg in 918-948. Compound of the hydronym Fore and Old Dutch burg (“fortified settlement, castle”). Compare Veur and Voorschoten.
* (Noord-Brabant)

A town and former municipality of Leidschendam-Voorburg, South Holland, Netherlands, to the north of The Hague

A neighbourhood of Vught, North Brabant, Netherlands


Leidschendam

First attested as den damme ofte overtocht in 1486. Univerbation of Leiden + dam.

A town and former municipality of Leidschendam-Voorburg, South Holland, Netherlands, to the north of Voorburg and The Hague


Rijswijk

* (Zuid-Holland) First attested as riiswiicaround the end of the 11th century. Compound of Old Dutch ris (“twig, branches, brushwood”) (potentially referring to interwoven fencing) and wic (“farm, settlement, village”).
* (Noord-Brabant) Potentially attested as riswic in 1076-1081, attested with certainty as riseuuihc in the first quarter of the 13th century. Compound of Old Dutch ris (“twig, branches, brushwood”) (potentially referring to interwoven fencing) and wic (“farm, settlement, village”).
* (Gelderland) First attested as risuuic in 918-948. Compound of Old Dutch ris (“twig, branches, brushwood”) (potentially referring to interwoven fencing) and wic (“farm, settlement, village”).

Meronyms: Sion, 't Haantje

A town and municipality of South Holland, Netherlands, to the south of The Hague

A village and former municipality of Altena, North Brabant, Netherlands

A village in Buren, Gelderland, Netherlands


Groninger

an inhabitant or native of the city Groningen


's-Gravenzande

First attested as harena comitis in 1200. Calque of Medieval Latin arena (“sand”) and the genitive form of comes (“count”).

A city and former municipality of Westland, South Holland, Netherlands


Klazienaveen

First attested as Klazienaveen in 1899. Compound of Klaziena (a personal name) + veen (“peat bog, marsh”). Named after the wife of the founder of the settlement.
See also Dutch Low Saxon Klazieneveen.

compound

A village in Emmen, Drenthe, Netherlands


Nijverdal

First attested as Nijverdal in 1836. Compound of nijver (“industriousness, industry”) + dal (“valley, dale”). Originally founded by the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij to house factory workers. The toponym was coined by the then-mayor of Hellendoorn, who was asked to hold a speech at the opening of a textile mill in the new town.

A town in Hellendoorn, Overijssel, Netherlands


Spijkenisse

First attested as spiiknesse in 1235. Tautological compound of Middle Dutch spic (“headland, spit”) and nisse (“headland, spit”). Compare Staverden, Stavenisse, Stavoren and Stavern.

A town and former municipality of Nissewaard, South Holland, Netherlands


Hardenberg

* (Overijssel) First attested as herdenborg in 1229-1230. Potentially a compound of Middle Dutch herde (“hard”) and berg (“hill, elevated place”). An alternative hypothesis interprets the name as a compound of herde (“fortified, strong”) and burch (“fortified settlement, castle”). Compare Montfort, Montfoort, Sterkenburg and Stoutenburg. See also Dutch Low Saxon Hadnbarreg, 'n Arnbarg.
* (Groningen)

Meronyms: Achterin, Ane, Anerveen, Anevelde, Balkbrug, Benedenvaart, Bergentheim, Braamberg, Brucht, Bruchterveld, Collendoorn, Collendoornerveen, De Belt, Dedemsvaart, De Haandrik, De Haar, De Krim, De Maat, De Meene, Den Huizen, Den Kaat, Den Oosterhuis, Den Velde, Den Westerhuis, De Pol, De Schans, Diffelen, Ebbenbroek, Engeland, Gouden Ploeg, Gramsbergen, Groot-Oever, Hanekamp, Hardenbergerveld, Heemse, Heemserveen, Holtheme, Holthone, Hoogenweg, Keiendorp, Kievitshaar, Kloosterhaar, Loozen, Lutten, Lutten-Oever, Lutterhartje, Lutterveld, Mariënberg, Mulderij, Noord-Stegeren, Oud-Avereest, Oud-Bergentheim, Oud-Lutten, Rheeze, Rheezerveen, Schuinesloot, Sibculo, Slagharen, Sluis 6, Sluis 7, Sponturfwijk, Strooiendorp, 't Bergje, 't Haantje, Venebrugge, Witman

A city and municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands

A hamlet in Oldambt, Groningen, Netherlands


Losser

First attested as in lutheri in the late 10th century. Etymology unknown. Proposed etymologies include a derivation from Old Dutch Leudhari (a personal name) or a compound of a first element cognate to Old Saxon lûtan (“bend”) and Old Dutch *heri (“sandy ridge”). Compare De Lutte, Lutten and Lutten.

unk

unknown

Meronyms: Beuningen, De Lutte, De Poppe, De Zoeke, Glane, Glane-Beekhoek, Mekkelhorst, Overdinkel

A village and municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands


Bodegraven

Potentially attested as bodengrauen in 1064, attested with certainty as bodengrave in 1351-1356. Derived from a hydronym, derived in turn from a compound of Old Dutch Bodo (a personal name), bodo (“messenger”) or an older hydronym cognate to Gothic 𐌱𐌰𐌿𐌸𐍃 (bauþs, “mute, deaf”) and grave (“excavated or canalised watercourse”).

A village and former municipality of Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, South Holland, Netherlands


Woerden

First attested as wirda sometime after 786. Derived from the dative plural form of Old Dutch uurth (“artificial mound used for habitation”) or Old Frisian uurth (“artifical mound used for habitation”).

cog

Meronyms: Barwoutswaarder, Bekenes, Breeveld, Breudijk, Geestdorp, Gerverscop, Haanwijk, Harmelen, Harmelerwaard, Houtdijken, Indijk, Kamerik, Kanis, Kromwijk, Lagebroek, Mijzijde, Oud-Kamerik, Reijerscop, Rietveld, 's-Gravensloot, Teckop, Teylingen, Zegveld

A city and municipality of Utrecht, Netherlands


Duivendrecht

First attested as doevendrecht in 1308. From Middle Dutch Dovendrecht. Compound of Middle Dutch Doeve (a personal name) and -drecht (“ferry, watercourse”). The first element was gradually reinterpreted to the plural form of duif (“pigeon”).
Compare Duiveland, Duiven, Duivendijke and Duivenvoorde.

A village in Ouder-Amstel, North Holland, Netherlands


Haaksbergen

First attested as hockesberghe in 1188. Compound of Old Dutch Hock (a personal name) or Hako (a personal name) and the dative singular form of berg (“hill, elevated place”). Compare Haakswold.

Meronyms: Boekelo, Brammelo, Buurse, Den Braam, Eppenzolder, Harmöle, Holthuizen, Honesch, Langelo, Stepelo, St. Isidorushoeve


Hengelo

/ˈɦɛ.ŋəˌloː/

* (Overijssel) First attested as hof to henghele in 1381-1383. Likely a compound of Middle Dutch heinge (“enclosure”) and lo (“light forest”), although it is difficult to say whether this is the actual etymology of the toponym due to a paucity of old attestations. Compare Hengelder, Hengevelde and Hengforden.
* (Gelderland) First attested as heingelon in 965. Compound of Middle Dutch heinge (“enclosure”) and lo (“light forest”). Compare Hengelder, Hengevelde and Hengforden.
See also Dutch Low Saxon Hengel.

Meronyms: Beckum, Oele, Woolde

A city and municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands without city rights, near Enschede and Almelo

A village and former municipality of Bronckhorst, Gelderland, Netherlands


Nieuwegein

Univerbation of nieuwe + Gein, named after the historic settlement Middle Dutch Gein or Geyne.

A town and municipality of Utrecht, Netherlands


Heerhugowaard

First attested as die waerd in 1319. Compound of heer (“lord”), Hugo (a personal name) and Middle Dutch waert (“land next to water, riverine island, polder complex surrounded by water”). Named after Lord Hugo of Assendelft (d. 1296), the creator of the polder complex the town stands on.

inh

A town and former municipality of Dijk en Waard, North Holland, Netherlands


Groesbeek

First attested as gronspech in 1040. Etymology unclear. Potentially a compound derived from either Old Dutch Grôn (a personal name) or a term related to Middle Dutch groese (“pasture”) and beek (“brook, stream”).


Leerdam

First attested as lerdamme in 1265. Compound of the hydronym Lede (derived from Middle Dutch lede (“excavated or canalised watercourse”)) and dam (“dam”).

A city and former municipality of Vijfheerenlanden, Utrecht, Netherlands


Schoonhoven

First attested as sconhouen in 1247. Compound of Middle Dutch scone (“clean, free of weeds”) and the plural form of hove (“piece of land of a certain size”).

A city and former municipality of Krimpenerwaard, South Holland, Netherlands


Goor

* (Overijssel) First attested as gora and gore in 1027-1054. Derived from Old Dutch gore (“marshy forest soil”).
* (Noord-Brabant) Attested as Ghoir in 1794. Derived from goor (“marshy forest soil”).

A city and former municipality of Hof van Twente, Overijssel, Netherlands

A hamlet in Geldrop-Mierlo, North Brabant, Netherlands


Kerkhof

The hamlet is first attested as Kerkhof in 1838-1857. Derived from kerkhof (“churchyard, graveyard”).
The surname derives from one of the senses of kerkhof or from the toponym.

A hamlet in Heeze-Leende, North Brabant, Netherlands


Fons

First attested as foeldinze in 1386. Borrowed from West Frisian Fûns, derived in turn from Old Frisian Foldo (a personal name) suffixed with the collectivising suffix -ingi-.

A hamlet in Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands


Mijdrecht

First attested as midreth in 1085. Compound of the hydronym De Meije and Old Dutch dreht (“ferry, watercourse”).
Compare De Meije, Mijnden, Oostmijzen, Misson and Mite.

A village and former municipality of De Ronde Venen, Utrecht, Netherlands


Wilnis

First attested as quadraginta houvas terram palustrem in midreth in 1085. Derived from Old Dutch *wildenisse (“wilderness, wild land”).