Van Heerden

van Heerden is a common Afrikaans surname. Although most van Heerdens are South African nationals, a number are also resident in Australia, Namibia, and the United Kingdom. The clan has been prominently represented in every South African conflict - from the First Boer War to the Angolan bush war - and a number have served as distinguished scientists, authors, and statesmen.

Family History

The family proginater, Pieter Willemsz van Heerden, was born 10 December 1677 in the town Heerde in Gelderland, a province in the Netherlands. Unfortunately it is not possible to trace him or his ancestors in the Netherlands as the baptism records during the 17th century only reflected the name of the child and first name of the father. He arrived during 1701 in Cape Town. He was 20 years old and was employed as a soldier in the service of the Dutch East Indies Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, VOC). He served his time with the company and became a Vryburger (Free Citizen). Pieter Willemsz quickly became Pieter Willem as he is referred to in all the documents of the time.