This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Van Buren family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Van Buren Family History

Van Buren Surname Meaning

Dutch and Jewish (from the Netherlands): habitational name for someone from any of the many places in the Netherlands named with Middle Dutch buur buer ‘house shed’.

In particular, this name references Buren in Gelderland, which carries historical significance.

The use of place names as surnames is a common practice in many cultures, linking individuals to their geographic origins.

The choice of the term 'buur' or 'buer' reflects the language evolution and regional dialects that have influenced naming conventions.

As a result, those with this surname may trace their lineage back to specific areas in the Netherlands, highlighting a rich cultural heritage.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Van Buren family from?

You can see how Van Buren families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Van Buren family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1880 and 1920. The most Van Buren families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 5 Van Buren families living in London. This was 100% of all the recorded Van Buren's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Van Buren families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Van Buren surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What Van Buren family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 25,000 census records available for the last name Van Buren. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Van Buren census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Van Buren

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Van Buren. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Van Buren immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 6,000 military records available for the last name Van Buren. For the veterans among your Van Buren ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Van Buren military records

You've only scratched the surface of Van Buren family history

Discover More

What is the average Van Buren lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Van Buren life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1955, and highest in 1967. The average life expectancy for Van Buren in 1954 was 53, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Van Buren

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Van Buren ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Van Buren family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial