Belgium Roots

Do you have Belgium roots?

Many British, Americans, Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders have Belgium roots. In the 16th and 17th century many Flemings (inhabitants of Flanders, now the northern part of Belgium) emigrated to England and Scotland. In the 19th and 20th century a large number of Belgians went to live in North America, Australia and New Zealand. So, a good part of English speakers have Belgium roots. Some know it, others aren't sure.

To know if you have Belgium roots can be a real quest sometimes. For some persons it's rather easy. Some last names (surnames) refer to a Belgian origin. For example: surnames like "Fleming" or "Flanders" are obvious: your ancestors came from Flanders, now a part of Belgium. They were Flemings.

When your last name begins with "van" (or "Van") you have a 50% chance of having Belgium roots. Names with "van" come from Flanders or Holland. If it's "vanden" than it's 90% sure your ancestors were Belgians. "Vander" normally refers to a Dutch origin. When your surname includes the name of a place, then it's obvious also: Van Brussel, Van Gent, Van Lokeren, Van Hamme, Van Damme all refer to a city or a town in Belgium.

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