Show ContentsVeen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The first family to use the name Veen lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Veen is derived from the Gaelic word Beathan or betha which means life. Bean was also the name of a saint in the Breviary of Aberdeen.

Early Origins of the Veen family

The surname Veen was first found in Aberdeen (part of the modern Grampian region), where one of the first times the name arose was a Bean who was a magistrate circa 1210. It is known, however, that the MacBains moved to Invernessshire, as sod bearers to the Chiefs of the great Clan Chattan (a powerful confederation of early Clans). The name literally means "son of the fair lad," and was frequently translated to MacBean (Bain.)

Saint Bean or Beyn (fl. 1011), was, according to Fordun, appointed first bishop of Murthlach by Malclom II, at the instance of Pope Benedict VIII. A fragment of the charter of Malcolm II (1003-1029?), preserved in the register of the diocese of Aberdeen confirms this claim. [1] However, St. Bean is distinctly referred to as a native of Ireland: 'In Hybernia natalis Beani primi episcopi Aberdonensis et confessoris'. [1]

Early History of the Veen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Veen research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1411, 1550 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Veen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Veen Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Veen has appeared Bean, Beane, Beyn, Bayn, Bene, Bane, Baine, Beine, Bayne, Beyne, Been, Beaine, MacBain, MacBean, MacVain, MacBean, MacVan and many more.

Early Notables of the Veen family

More information is included under the topic Early Veen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Veen Ranking

In Netherlands, the name Veen is the 189th most popular surname with an estimated 6,431 people with that name. [2]

Ireland Migration of the Veen family to Ireland

Some of the Veen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Veen migration to the United States +

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Veen:

Veen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Willem Van der Veen, age 20 settled in Philadelphia in 1804
  • Dirk V D Veen, who landed in New York, NY in 1866 [3]
  • Klaas V D Veen, aged 29, who arrived in New York, NY in 1866 [3]
  • Run je V D Veen, aged 2, who landed in New York, NY in 1866 [3]
  • Trijnt je V D Veen, aged 20, who arrived in New York, NY in 1866 [3]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Veen (post 1700) +

  • Theodore F. Vander Veen, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Kent County 1st District, 1916 [4]
  • Richard Franklin Vander Veen (1922-2006), American Democratic Party politician, Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II [4]
  • Sadie Van Veen, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from New York County 3rd District, 1932; Candidate for New York State Senate 18th District, 1934 [5]
  • Morris Van Veen, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 21st District, 1920, 1922, 1924 [5]
  • John Veen, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from California 19th District, 2002 [6]
  • Jan van Veen (1945-2024), Dutch radio host and disc jockey


The Veen Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Touch not the catt bot a targe
Motto Translation: Touch not the cat without a shield.


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 24) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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