Van Rooy
Van Rooy or Van Rooij is a Dutch toponymic surname. "Rooij" was a local term for many towns ending with "rode" or "roij", like Nistelrode, Sint-Oedenrode, Stramproy and Wanroij. This suffix means "a clearing made by men".
Colonialisation caused an expansion of Europe into the rest of the world. South Africa saw many European/Dutch Settlers from the late 16 century to the 18th century. Along with the complex socio-geodemographic development that occurred in South Africa at the time, the van Rooy family name expanded in 2 directions within the racial context of the time. Attached is the family tree of Pieter & Johanna van Rooy whom originated from Piketberg and moved to Cape Town. They reared 8 children from whom the family has evolved into its current 5th generation.
Notable people with this surname include:
- Anton van Rooy, Dutch bass-baritone opera singer
- Bart van Rooij, Dutch footballer
- Charles van Rooy, Dutch politician
- Elsbeth van Rooy-Vink, Dutch mountain biker
- Frans van Rooij, Dutch footballer
- Kenneth Van Rooy, Belgian racing cyclist
- Yvonne van Rooy, Dutch politician, daughter of Charles