Show ContentsBoers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Boers is derived from the Middle High German word "bur," meaning 'a small dwelling or building'. The word came to mean 'neighbor' or 'fellow citizen.' Alternatively, the word "boer" could have been derived from the Dutch word for 'farmer.' The prefix "de" denotes 'of' or 'the' and was often used to confirm a clan-like relationship in the family.

Early Origins of the Boers family

The surname Boers was first found in the Netherlands.

Early History of the Boers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boers research. The years 1908 and 1970 are included under the topic Early Boers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boers Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: DeBeor, Debeer, De Beer, De Boer and others.

Early Notables of the Boers family

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

Boers Ranking

In Netherlands, the name Boers is the 225th most popular surname with an estimated 5,833 people with that name. 1


United States Boers migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Boers Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jan Boers, who arrived in New York in 1792 2
Boers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jane Boers, aged 20, who landed in New York, NY in 1847 2
  • John Boers, aged 28, who arrived in New York NY in 1847 2
  • Mannes Boers, aged 65, who landed in New York, NY in 1847 2
  • Gerh Heinr Boers, who arrived in America in 1847 2
  • Evert Boers, aged 25, who landed in New York, NY in 1847 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Boers (post 1700) +

  • Edward William Boers (1884-1929), American seaman serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions following the explosion of a boiler on the U.S.S. Bennington
  • Christianus Franciscus Johannes "Christiaan" Boers (1889-1942), Dutch captain of the Royal Netherlands Army during World War II who joined the Dutch resistance and was executed in 1942, a monument of him on the Afsluitdijk was erected was erected after the war
  • Georg Pieter Willem Boers (1811-1884), Dutch colonial official, Governor of the Dutch Gold Coast (1867 to 1869)


The Boers 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: Pro Deo, Rege et Patria
Motto Translation: For our God, our King, and country.


  1. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  2. 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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook