Zijlstra

Zijlstra is a West Frisian toponymic or occupational surname meaning "from/of the Zijl", a Middle Dutch name for a type of sluice (Modern Dutch Spuisluis, German Siel). The suffix "-stra" is derived from old Germanic -sater, meaning sitter or dweller. The name could thus be referring to a lock keeper. Variant forms are Zeijlstra, Zeilstra, Zylstra, and Sylstra. The latter is the common spelling abroad.[1] People with this name include:

  • Anca Zijlstra (born 1973), Dutch darts player
  • Auke Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch politician (PVV)
  • Carla Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch speed skater
  • Halbe Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch politician (VVD), Minister of Foreign Affairs 2017–18
  • Hieke Zijlstra (born 1981), Dutch footballer
  • Jelle Zijlstra (1918–2001), Dutch politician (ARP), economist and banker, Prime Minister 1966–67
  • Kees Zijlstra (1931–2013), Dutch politician (PvdA) and civil servant
  • Martin Zijlstra (1944–2014), Dutch politician (PvdA)
  • Rinse Zijlstra (1927–2017), Dutch politician (ARP), brother of Jelle
  • Sipke Zijlstra (born 1985), Dutch racing cyclist
  • Wout Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch strongman

Zeilstra

  • Bart Zeilstra (born 1982), Dutch rapper and singer known as "Baas B"

Zylstra

  • Bernard Zylstra (1934–1986), Canadian political scientist
  • Brandon Zylstra (born 1993), American football player
  • Gerben Zylstra (born 1959), American biochemist
  • Lynne Zylstra (1945 - 2023), New Zealand artist
  • Shane Zylstra (born 1996), American football player

References

  1. ^ Zijlstra (y) at the Database of Surnames in The Netherlands.
Surname list
This page lists people with the surname Zijlstra.
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