In a Dutch name, a tussenvoegsel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈtʏsə(ɱ)ˌvuxsəl] ⓘ; lit. 'intersertion' or 'that which is interserted') is a family name affix positioned between a person's given name and the main part of their family name.[1] There are similar concepts in many languages, such as Celtic family name prefixes, French particles, and the German von.
The most common tussenvoegsels are van, e.g. Vincent van Gogh meaning "from"; and de, e.g. Greg de Vries, meaning "the". A tussenvoegsel forms an integral part of one's surname; it distinguishes it from similar Dutch surnames, e.g. Jan de Boer compared to Albert Boer; Frits de Kok compared to Wim Kok.
- ^ Hoitink, Y. (10 April 2005). "Prefixes in surnames". Dutch Genealogy. Retrieved 15 August 2019.