Show ContentsVanness History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Vanness

What does the name Vanness mean?

The Dutch Vanness surname was originally a habitational name, taken on from any of various places in Friesland called Nes, or similar names. These place names come from the word "nes," which meant a "spit of land."

Alternatively, the name Vannesscould have been a Dutch local name as in 'the dweller at-the-ash' from residence beside an ash tree. The preposition 'van' is found especially with habitation names.

Early Origins of the Vanness family

The surname Vanness was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in South Holland, a province of Holland, the most crowded province of the Netherlands. The principal cities are Rotterdam, Leyden and Shiedam. Noted is the famed castle of Teilengen where Jacqueline of Bavaria is buried. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

A long standing family in America, Albert and Grietje van Nes were listed as a residents of Amerfoort and then moved to Breuckelen (Brooklyn) to be near the ferry to Manhattan in 1653.

Early History of the Vanness family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vanness research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1626, 1645, 1655, 1667, 1693, 1771 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Vanness History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vanness Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ness, Nes, Neser, Nesse, Nessen, Nessel, Nest, Nesh, Neste, Netz, Nas, Nass, Nos, Noss and many more.

Early Notables of the Vanness family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vanness Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vanness Ranking

the United States, the name Vanness is the 8,232nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


Vanness migration to the United States +



Vanness Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Cornelius Hendrickse VanNess, who arrived in New Netherland(s) in 1620-1664 2
  • Cornelis Hendrickse VanNess, who arrived in New York in 1641
  • Pieter VanNess, who arrived in New York in 1647
  • Pieter VanNess, who arrived in New York, NY in 1647 2
  • Hendrick Gerritzen VanNess, who arrived in New York, NY in 1654 2
Vanness Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Lawrence Vanness, who settled in Philadelphia in 1810
  • Charles Vanness, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1810
  • George Vanness, who settled in New York, NY in 1824
  • P VanNess, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 2
  • H Vanness, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Vanness (post 1700) +

  • James Van Ness (1808-1872), American politician, mayor of San Francisco from 1855-1856
  • John Peter Van Ness (1770-1846), American politician, U.S. Representative from New York
  • James T. Vanness, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Essex County, 1874 3
  • Dudley Vanness Sutphin Ph.D., (1875-1926), American attorney and judge, a French Legion of Honor medal winner


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook