click on map to see Wormerland
The word “Wormer”
1) Rhymes with another Dutch word, “dormer”
2) It means “land reclaimed from the water”
3) The town of Wormer was founded around 800 AD
4) It is located 8 miles northwest of Amsterdam
5) The region around it is called Wormerland
6) It is where dikes and windmills were developed
The word “Van”
1) Simply means “of” or “from” in Dutch
2) It was used in the 17th century so the Dutch could identify each other around the world.
So, the surname, “Van Wormer,” denotes a family who left Holland in the 17th Century, more specifically the town of Wormer.
All Van Wormers in America are descendents of Laurens Van Wormer, who arrived in New Amsterdam in 1659. Unfortunately the English overthrew it, renamed it New York, and have been messing up our name ever since.
You see, “wyrm” or “würm” or “wurm” is Germanic for those tiny serpents in the ground. Though English is Germanic, there was a vowel shift in Medieval England and off on their own merry way they went.
In other words, Van Wormer has nothing to do with old English würms.
You live in a dorm, not a durm, yes? You put in a dormer window, not a durmer window, yes? And you will now and always and forever will say Van Wormer not Van Wurmer, yes?
My Dad had some fellow at the Holland Society in Manhattan write the family history years ago and someday when I find it in all those boxes from storage I will be sure to send a copy to all of you Van Wormers who have written to me.
And then someday I’ll tell you about the Heptinstall side of the family, who, of course, could never pronounce “Van Wormer” correctly but did say, “Damn Yankee!” just fine.
And then we’ll go on to the Garner side of the family. And the Holts. And the Atkinsons…
I am just discovering that I am also of the Van Wormer’s heritage. I am interested in learning more about my family’s history and look forward to updates! My great grandfather is Porter Van Wormer, son of Henry.
Hi, I just came across your posting on the Van Wormer a primer if you ask site,
I have been researching the Van Wormers for along time. Porter Van Wormer ws my 3rd Great Grandfather. Are you a descendant from Almira and Earl Jordan? Almira (Myra) was a sister to my Great Great Grandmother Mary Ann. Please e-mail me at odie58@chartermi.net Thank you
catherine, porter is mt 3ed great grabdfather
I am very interested in learning more about the family history your dad commissioned from the fellow at the Holland Society. Is it available? I am attempting to document the Van Wormer family heritage.
Hello, my 3rd great grandmother is Alaysor Else Van Wormer. she married William McWilliams in New York around 1812. They moved to Brant County, Ontario, Canada in 1814. I know absolutely nothing about her parents or siblings. Is she in your lineage?
Here’s hoping with my fingers crossed.
Would you please send me a copy of the Van Wormer Family History your father commissioned from the Holland Society? I am very interested in my New Netherland roots. I am in the process of writing a family history.
James W. Van Wormer, Ph.D.
I am a descendent of Lourens Jenzen Van Wormer down the line of Phebe Vallete Wormer who married George Robert West. I am interested in the Van Wormer history.
I have a niece named Laura Van Wormer, but she teaches astronuclear physics at Hiram College. I am doing a surname study on the Van Wormer descendants of Laurens Janszen, our common ancestor, and would be happy to “talk shop” with any of you pursuing the same project. I have encountered multiple roadblocks in my research with some still being unresolved.
My great grandmother was a Van Wormer. Dana Van Wormer family is part of mine. I to, would love history of the Van Wormers.
Thank You
How do you know all the Van Wormers are related, I’m a Van Wormer from Michigan, USA.
To my knowledge, Samantha, there was only one man who came from Wormer in Holland to the New World…
That is so very interesting. I’m stuck on the New York part of my research. I’m waiting to look through wills to find my actual branch of direct relatives, but I’m not that far from our shared ancestor. Great!
I am a Van Wormer from the city of Watertown, in upstate NY. My wife is from Germany and during one trip took me to the town of Wormer, in the community of Wormerland. I am just starting to do a little research on the family name and would be very interested to get more info on my ancestors. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help !
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for this info!! I am German but married to an American Van Wormer, and have always been unhappy when he spells our last name and says “like a worm in the ground”!! I am actually very proud of this last name, because the van is the same as French “de” and German “von” and a lot of nobles have this link in their name! Okay, don’t want to say that we are nobles, but that’s better than a worm in the ground, lol!! We have a little film production company and actually named it “Wormerland Productions” after going to Wormerland near Amsterdam a few years ago! Do you know any Van Wormers in the Syracuse/Watertown NY area? Thanks, Birgitt
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for this info I have been looking for so long for someone who might be able to make a connection to the Van Wormers in Williams County Ohio to Holland. Porter Van Wormer is My Great Great Grandfather and I know his father is Henry but really havent Made a true connection to who Henry’s Parents are. This has been a real stumper. Sure would love to have some of this info or if you know if there is a book that is for sale please let me know. Thanks again for sharing.
My grandfather Charles was born in Schenectady around 1885. I found out that a VanWormer was a founder of that city. I think he was Peter, sorry I forgot the website, but I know I found it on a google search. I never met my grandfather. But his son/my dad always pronounced it ‘like worm’ but he was more Irish than Dutch. My Mom who was German but mostly Irish pronounced it like dormer. It took a conversation with a Dutch scientist at Brookhaven Lab on LI, NY for me to confirm the pronunciation. Thx, good stuff.
I am descendant of Andrew Jackson Garner and Laura Ellen Atkinson. My maternal Grandfather was Harry Keith Garner, Mother Mary Jane Garner Gilmore. Just wondering when you plan to write about that side of the family. I haven’t read any of your books but plan to soon. Great website!
I have tried to find some form of lineage on the vanwormer side but have difficulty doing so. My grandfather and his grandparents came over from england and thats about all ive been informed of. Was wondering if you may have any insight.
Hi Laura,
I would like to know more about my Van Wormer family. My great grandmothers name was Margaret Amanda Van Wormer she is the daughter of
Everington Van Wormer ( was b. in New York) and Martha Churchill. Everington Van Wormer was the son of David Van Wormer ( b. in New York) and Louise. The family moved to Michigan. Then Everington went to Missouri then Wisconsin. I would be very interested in the information you have from the Holland Society.
thank you