De Vries is one of the most common Dutch

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

s. It indicates a geographical origin: "Vriesland" is an old spelling of the Dutch province of

Friesland Friesland (, ; official fry, Fryslân ), historically and traditionally known as Frisia, is a province of the Netherlands located in the country's northern part. It is situated west of Groningen, northwest of Drenthe and Overijssel, north of ...

(

Frisia Frisia is a cross-border cultural region in Northwestern Europe. Stretching along the Wadden Sea, it encompasses the north of the Netherlands and parts of northwestern Germany. The region is traditionally inhabited by the Frisians, a West G ...

). Hence, "de Vries" means "the Frisian". The name has been modified to "DeVries", "deVries", or "Devries" in other countries. People named De Vries:

Academics

* Barend de Vries (1925–2010) – Dutch economist at the World Bank * Benjamin de Vries (born 1923) – Dutch-Israeli economic historian *

Gerda de Vries Gerda de Vries is a Canadian mathematician whose research interests include dynamical systems and mathematical physiology. She is a professor of mathematical and statistical sciences at the University of Alberta, and the former president of the So ...

, Canadian mathematician * Glen de Vries * Gustav de Vries (1866–1934) – Dutch mathematician *

Hans de Vries Hans may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Hans (name), a masculine given name * Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician ** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans ** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...

(born 1927) – Dutch economic historian * Hent de Vries (born 1958) – Dutch philosopher *

Hessel de Vries Hessel de Vries (November 15, 1916 in Annen – December 23, 1959 in Groningen), was a Dutch physicist and professor at the University of Groningen who furthered the detection methods and applications of radiocarbon dating to a variety of scie ...

(1916–1959) – Dutch physicist *

Hugo de Vries Hugo Marie de Vries () (16 February 1848 – 21 May 1935) was a Dutch botanist and one of the first geneticists. He is known chiefly for suggesting the concept of genes, rediscovering the laws of heredity in the 1890s while apparently unaware o ...

(1848–1935) – Dutch botanist and geneticist * Jan de Vries (linguist) (1890–1964) – Dutch Germanic mythologist *

Jan de Vries (historian) Jan de Vries (born November 14, 1943) is a Dutch economic historian. He is Professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is best known for his work on the Industrial Revolution and European urbanization, as well as the economic hi ...

(1943) – (Dutch-)American historian *

Jouke de Vries Professor Jouke de Vries (born 26 September 1960 in Dearsum) is chairman of the Executive Board of the University of Groningen (RUG) in The Netherlands. Before that he was Dean of the University of Groningen/Campus Fryslân in Leeuwarden. De ...

(born 1960) – Dutch University Dean * Jurn de Vries (born 1940) – Dutch theologian and journalist *

Keith DeVries Keith Robert DeVries (January 2, 1937 – July 16, 2006) was a prominent archaeologist and expert on the Phrygian city of Gordium, in what is now Turkey. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. DeVries earned his undergraduate degree at the Unive ...

(1937–2006) – American archaeologist * Kelly DeVries (born 1956) – American medievalist historian *

Marc de Vries M.J. (Marc) de Vries (born 1958, Haarlem), is professor of Reformational Philosophy at the Delft University of Technology. Biography Marc de Vries studied physics at the Free University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and graduated in 1982 on ...

(born 1958) – Dutch physicist * Margaret Garritsen de Vries (1922–2009) – American economist *

Philip James DeVries Philip James DeVries (born March 7, 1952) is a tropical biologist whose research focuses on insect ecology and evolution, especially butterflies. His best-known work includes symbioses between caterpillars, ants and plants, and community level ...

(born 1952) – American entomologist and evolutionary ecologist * Rheta Devries (1936–2012) – American educator * Ronald P. de Vries (born 196?); mycologisthttps://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Ronald-P-de-Vries-2172471012 * Susanna de Vries (born 1936) – Australian historian

Arts, acting, music

Abraham de Vries (painter) Abraham de Vries (ca.1590–1649 or 1650) was a Dutch painter who was one of the leading portraitists of his age. Abr ...

(c. 1590 – 1649/50) – Dutch portrait painter * Adriaen de Vries (1556–1626) – Dutch sculptor * Andrew DeVries (born 1957) – American painter and sculptor * Bouke de Vries (born 1960) – Dutch ceramist in England *

Casper de Vries Casper Johannes De Vries (; born 1 June 1964) is a South African actor, comedian, entertainer, painter, composer, director and producer. He has gained a significant following among South Africa's liberal Afrikaner and Afrikaans speaking populat ...

(born 1964) – South African comedian * David Devriès (1881–1936) – French lyric operatic tenor * David de Vries (born 1961) – Australian film and comic book maker * Dolf de Vries (1937–2020) – Dutch actor * Doug de Vries (born 1960) – Australian guitarist *

Erwin de Vries Erwin de Vries (21 December 1929 – 31 January 2018) was a Surinamese painter and sculptor. De Vries was born in Paramaribo, and is the half-brother of Henry Lucien de Vries, who served as governor of Suriname from 1965 until 1967. Wim Bos Ve ...

(1929–2018) – Surinamese painter and sculptor *

Han de Vries Han Samuel de Vries (born 31 August 1941, The Hague), is a Dutch oboist and is considered the doyen of the Dutch school of oboe playing. He studied oboe with Jaap Stotijn at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and with his son Haakon Stotijn at ...

(born 1941) – Dutch oboist *

Hendrik de Vries Hendrik (Henry) de Vries (17 August 1896 in Groningen, Netherlands – 18 November 1989 in Haren, Netherlands) was a significant Dutch poet and painter. He was an early surrealist, was liberal-minded, and preached vitality. The subconscious ...

(1896–1989) – Dutch poet and painter * Henri De Vries (1864–1949) – Dutch film actor *

Herman de Vries Herman de Vries (born 11 July 1931 in Alkmaar) is a Dutch artist. He typically stylises his name in lower-case as herman de vries on his artwork 'to avoid hierarchy'. De Vries works and lives with his wife Susanne in Eschenau near Knetzgau, Ger ...

(born 1931) – Dutch artist * Jill De Vries (born 1953) – American model *

John DeVries John DeVries (December 2, 1915 – April 17, 1992) was an American lyricist, interior designer and illustrator. He was born in Wayne, Pennsylvania in 1915. Collaborating with the pianist Joe Bushkin, he wrote the lyrics for many songs, the most ...

(1915–1992) – American lyricist * John de Vries (born 1946) – Dutch car designer *

Klaas de Vries (composer) Klaas de Vries (born 15 July 1944) is a Dutch composer. De Vries taught composition at the Rotterdam Conservatory until his retirement in 2009. Biography Klaas de Vries was born on 15 July 1944 in Terneuzen, in the province of Zeeland in the N ...

(born 1944) – Dutch composer * Leondre Devries (born 2000) – British pop singer * Louis de Vries (1905–1935) – Dutch jazz trumpeter *

Marius De Vries Marius de Vries (born 1961) is an English music producer and composer. He has won a Grammy Award from four nominations, two BAFTA Awards, and an Ivor Novello Award. Education Marius de Vries was educated at St Paul's Cathedral School, Bedfor ...

(born 1961) – English music producer * Matt DeVries (born 1977) – American guitarist *

Nathalie de Vries Nathalie de Vries (born 1965 in Appingedam) is a Dutch architect, lecturer and urbanist. In 1993 together with Winy Maas and Jacob van Rijs she set up MVRDV. MVRDV Great Work The Ceiling Of The Market Hall In Rotterdam on which de Vries was co-de ...

(born 1965) – Dutch architect * Roelof de Vries (1631 – c. 1690) – Dutch landscape painter * Rosa de Vries-van Os (1828–1889) – Dutch operatic singer * Simon de Vries (1570–75 – 1628/29) – Dutch engraver better known as ''Frisius''

Politics and religion

* Abraham de Vries (minister) (1773–1862) – Dutch Mennonite minister * Albert de Vries (born 1955) – Dutch politician * Aukje de Vries (born 1964) – Dutch politician * Bert de Vries (born 1938) – Dutch CDA politician * Betsi DeVries (born 1952) – American (New Hampshire) politician *

Bibi de Vries Bibi de Vries (born March 15, 1963 in Egmond aan Zee, North Holland) was a member of the Dutch liberal VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) parliamentary party in the House of Representatives. She was a member of Parliament from 1994–2 ...

(born 1963) – Dutch VVD politician * Christoph de Vries (born 1974), German politician * Cornelis de Vries (1740–1812) – Dutch Mennonite minister *

George Devries George Henry Devries (4 July 1896 – 13 July 1957) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. Biography Devries was born at Stretford, England, the son of John Arms Devries and his wife Elizabeth (née Ware). He was apprenticed as a ...

(1896–1957) – Australian (Queensland) politician *

Gerrit de Vries (politician) Gerrit Abrahamszoon de Vries (22 February 1818 – 4 March 1900) was a Dutch jurist and politician who served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 4 June 1872 to 27 August 1874. He took office after his predecessor died (Thorbecke). Refere ...

(1818–1900) – Dutch prime minister * Gijs de Vries (born 1956) – Dutch politician *

Henry Lucien de Vries Henry Lucien de Vries (12 December 1909 – 6 April 1987) was a Surinamese politician and entrepreneur. De Vries was born in Paramaribo. He studied economics at the Netherlands School of Economics and law at the University of Amsterdam. He was al ...

(1909–1987) – Surinamese politician and entrepreneur * Jack de Vries (born 1968) – Dutch CDA politician *

Jannewietske de Vries Jannewietske Annie de Vries (born 11 November 1961 in Beetgum) is a Dutch politician. She was a member of the Gedeputeerde Staten, provincial executive of Friesland from 2007 to 2015. Since 2018 she has been mayor of Súdwest-Fryslân. Refere ...

(born 1961) – Dutch (Friesland) politician * John Devries (Yukon politician) (born 1945) – Canadian (Yukon) politician * Kees de Vries (born 1955), German/Dutch politician (CDU) * Klaas de Vries (Christian Democratic Appeal) (1917–1999) – Dutch politician * Klaas de Vries (Labour Party) (born 1943) – Dutch politician * Marion De Vries (1865–1939) – American politician *

Monique de Vries Monique de Vries is a Dutch politician and has been with the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy since 1973. From the period 1994-2003 she was the Secretary of State of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. and a member of the Hous ...

(born 1947) – Dutch VVD politician *

Walter DeVries Walter Dale de Vries (November 13, 1929 – November 27, 2019) was a political consultant, author, and founder of the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership. James M. Perry, the chief political correspondent for ''The Wall Street Journa ...

(1929–2019) – American political consultant

Sports

Alida de Vries Alida de Vries (''Alida Elisabeth Christina "Ali" De Vries,'' married name ''Gerritsen;'' 9 August 1914 – 20 January 2007) was a Dutch athlete, who finished in fifth position at the 1936 Summer Olympics The 1936 Summer Olympics (German lan ...

(1914–2007) – Dutch sprinter * Anita Valen de Vries (born 1968), Norwegian racing cyclist * Ann Devries (born 1970) – Belgian tennis player * Berden de Vries (born 1989) – Dutch racing cyclist * Bob de Vries (born 1984) – Dutch speed skater * Carl E. DeVries (1921–2010) – American football coach *

Cole De Vries Cole William De Vries (born February 12, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins. He is tall and weighs . Amateur career A native of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, De Vr ...

(born 1985) – American baseball pitcher *

Darian DeVries Darian Dale DeVries (born April 7, 1975) is the head men's basketball coach at Drake Bulldogs men's basketball, Drake University. Coaching history A native of Aplington, Iowa, DeVries played collegiately at University of Northern Iowa, Northern ...

(born 1975) – American basketball coach * Dorien de Vries (born 1965) – Dutch competitive sailor *

Dorus de Vries Dorus de Vries (born 29 December 1980) is a Dutch former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. De Vries began his professional career in his native the Netherlands with Telstar, before spending three seasons with ADO Den Haag. He moved to Brit ...

(born 1980) – Dutch football goalkeeper *

Douwe de Vries Douwe de Vries (born 14 June 1982) is a Dutch former professional marathon speed skater and long track speed skater. He resides in Heerenveen, Friesland. Douwe de Vries, who was a member of the commercial team of LottoNL-Jumbo, is the current h ...

(born 1982) – Dutch speed skater *

Elma de Vries Elma de Vries (born 20 March 1983) is a Dutch marathon speed skater and inline speed skater. She is the older sister of marathon speed skater Bob de Vries. Biography De Vries was three years old when she started riding on skates on a small cr ...

(born 1983) – Dutch speed skater * Feike de Vries (born 1943) – Dutch water polo player *

Floris de Vries Floris Jan Willem de Vries (born 18 August 1989) is a Dutch professional golfer. Career De Vries was born in Rheden and turned professional in 2009 having had a successful amateur career. He qualified for the Challenge Tour by finishing in the t ...

(born 1989) – Dutch golfer *

Francis de Vries Francis de Vries (born 28 November 1994) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays for Allsvenskan club IFK Värnamo. Club career De Vries was initially scouted to attend the APFA Academy in Christchurch, New Zealand under the guidanc ...

(born 1994) – New Zealand footballer * François De Vries (1913–1972) – Belgian footballer * Gerrit de Vries (cyclist) (born 1967) – Dutch road cyclist *

Greg de Vries Gregory A. de Vries (born January 4, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played over 800 games with six teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). De Vries won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2000–01 ...

(born 1973) – Canadian hockey player *

Jack de Vries (soccer) Jack de Vries (born March 28, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for club Vis Pesaro, on loan from Venezia. Club career Born in Dayton, Ohio, de Vries is the son of the Dutch former professional soc ...

(born 2002) – American soccer player *

Jan de Vries (athlete) Jan Cornelis ("Jan") de Vries (2 March 1896 in Zwolle – 19 April 1939 in The Hague) was a Dutch athlete, who competed mainly in the 100 metres. De Vries competed for the Netherlands in the 1924 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France in ...

(1896–1939) – Dutch sprinter *

Jan de Vries (motorcyclist) Jan de Vries (5 January 1944 – 14 January 2021) was a Dutch Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. Career In 1971 he became the first Dutchman to win a F.I.M. world championship when he claimed the 50 cc title. In 1973 he won another 50 cc worl ...

(born 1944) – Dutch motorcycle road racer * Jan-Lodewijk de Vries (born 1972) – Dutch water polo player * Jared DeVries (born 1976) – American football player * Jeroen de Vries (born 1971) – Dutch speed skater * John de Vries (born 1966) – Australian racecar driver * Johnny de Vries (born 1990) – Dutch footballer * Kristi de Vries (born 1982) – Dutch softball player * Lianne de Vries (born 1990) – Dutch footballer *

Linda de Vries Linda de Vries (born 4 February 1988) is a Dutch former speed skater. She finished third in the Women's 1500 metres event at the 2012 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships and twice (in 2012 and 2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.pn ...

(born 1988) – Dutch speed skater * Marijn de Vries (born 1978) – Dutch racing cyclist and journalist * Mark de Vries (born 1975) – Dutch footballer * Martijn de Vries (born 1992) – Dutch footballer *

Martin de Vries Martin de Vries may refer to * Maarten Gerritszoon Vries (1589–1647), explorer and cartographer for the Dutch East India Company * Martin de Vries (basketball) (born 1960), Dutch basketball player * Martijn de Vries (born 1992), Dutch foot ...

(born 1960) – Dutch basketball player * Mered de Vries (born 1977) – Dutch volleyballer * Michelle de Vries (born 1961) – Australian swimmer * Myles de Vries (born 1940) – English cricketer * Nyck de Vries (born 1995) – Dutch racing driver * Paul de Vries (born 1996) – Ghanaian footballer *

Raimo de Vries Raimo de Vries (born 10 June 1969) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Career Born in Den Helder, de Vries played college soccer with Wake Forest, scoring 28 goals and making 15 assists between 1989 and 1992. ...

(born 1969) – Dutch footballer * Remon de Vries (born 1979) – Dutch footballer * Rianne de Vries (born 1990) – Dutch speed skater * Rika de Vries (born 1974) – Dutch sitting volleyball player * Ruan de Vries (born 1986)] – South African hurdler * Ryan De Vries (born 1992) – New Zealand footballer * Sjerstin de Vries-Vermeulen (born 1972/73) – Dutch swimmer and equestrian * Steve DeVries (born 1964) – American tennis player *

Tjark de Vries Tjark de Vries (born 17 July 1965) is a Dutch rower. He competed in the men's coxless four event at the 1988 Summer Olympics The 1988 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad () and commonly known as Seoul ...

(born 1965) – Dutch rower *

Troy DeVries Troy Anthony DeVries (born July 27, 1982) is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Portland State and New Mexico. Portland State Career A Guard who transferred from Portland State after the 2002 fall sem ...

(born 1982) – American basketball player * Vikki de Vries (born 1964) – American figure skater *

Vincent de Vries Vincent de Vries (born 21 June 1994) is a Dutch male badminton player. He plays in men's single event for the latest. In 2015, he ended to playing badminton and chose to continue his studies in Tilburg University. Achievements BWF Internatio ...

(born 1994) – Dutch badminton player

Writing and journalism

* Abe de Vries (born 1965) – Dutch West Frisian-language writer and poet * Abraham H. de Vries (born 1937) – Afrikaans author * Anke de Vries (born 1936) – Dutch youth writer *

Anne de Vries Anne de Vries (22 May 1904 – 29 November 1964) was a Dutch teacher and writer, particularly famous in the Netherlands for his novels of regional life. Born in the village of Kloosterveen near Assen, de Vries married Alida Gerdina van Wermesk ...

(1904–1964) – Dutch author * Maggie De Vries (born 1961) – Canadian writer *

Peter De Vries Peter De Vries (February 27, 1910 – September 28, 1993) was an American editor and novelist known for his satiric wit. He has been described by the philosopher Daniel Dennett as "probably the funniest writer on religion ever". Biography De Vr ...

(1910–1993) – American editor and comic novelist *

Peter R. de Vries Peter Rudolf de Vries (14 November 1956 – 15 July 2021) was a Dutch investigative journalist and crime reporter. His television program (''Crime Reporter''; 1995−2012) covered high-profile cases and set a Dutch television viewing record. F ...

(1956–2021) – Dutch journalist * Rachel Guido deVries (born 1947) – American poet and novelist * Stefan de Vries (born 1970) – Dutch writer and journalist * Theun de Vries (1907–2005) – Dutch writer and poet

Other

* David Pietersz. de Vries (c. 1593 – 1665) – Dutch navigator and New Netherland patroon * Glen de Vries (1972–2021) – American businessman * Hidde Sjoerds de Vries (1645–1694)— Dutch admiral * Jan de Vries (soldier) (1924–2012) – Canadian veteran's advocate *

Lini De Vries Lini M. De Vries (July 25, 1905—March 27, 1982), born Lena Moerkerk in Prospect Park, New Jersey, was a Dutch–American author, public health nurse, and teacher. She worked as chief of American Hospital Number 3 on the Madrid-Valencia Road dur ...

(1905–1982) – Dutch-born American public health nurse in Mexico * Maarten Gerritsz Vries (or "de Vries") (1589–1647) – Dutch cartographer and explorer * Mike de Vries (born 1958) – German businessman * Nina de Vries (born 1961) – Dutch sex worker * Roel de Vries (born 1968) – Dutch engineer and businessman in Japan * Roland de Vries – South African Army officer * Tara De Vries (born 1999) – Turkish-Dutch beauty pageant * Tjerk Hiddes de Vries (1622–1666) – Dutch admiral and naval hero * William DeVries (born 1943) – American surgeon who performed first permanent artificial heart transplant

Compound surnames

Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries is a Dutch management scholar and psychoanalyst, consultant, and professor of leadership development and organizational change at INSEAD. His research focuses on leadership and the dynamics of individual and organizat ...

(born 1943) – Dutch author and researcher * Daniel Rooseboom de Vries (born 1980) – Dutch freestyle footballer * Hans Vredeman de Vries (1527–1607) – Dutch architect * Jacob Vredeman de Vries (1588–1621) – Dutch kapellmeister and composer *

Paul Vredeman de Vries Paul Vredeman de Vries (Antwerp, 1567 – Amsterdam, 1617), was a Flemish painter and draughtsman who specialised in architectural paintings and, in particular, church interiors. Life He was a son of the Dutch-born architect, painter and engin ...

(1567–1617) – Flemish painter and draughtsman * Salomon Vredeman de Vries (1556–1604) – Flemish painter and draughtsman * Herman de Vries de Heekelingen (1880–1942) – Dutch archaeologist and historian * Gerard de Vries Lentsch (1883–1973) – Dutch competitive sailor * Willem de Vries Lentsch (1886–1980) – Dutch competitive sailor * Wim de Vries Lentsch (1914–2007) – Dutch competitive sailor * Hans Dirk de Vries Reilingh (1908–2001) – Dutch geographer *

Boyd van der Vuurst de Vries Boyd Kjeld van der Vuurst de Vries (born 16 August 1999) is a Dutch professional basketball player, who currently plays for Landstede Hammers of the BNXT League. Professional career Van der Vuurst de Vries made his debut in the Dutch Basketball L ...

(born 1999) – Dutch basketball player * Keye van der Vuurst de Vries (born 2001) – Dutch basketball player * Piet van Wyk de Vries (born 1972) – South African songwriter

Fictional people

* Alicia DeVries – drop commando and captain of the alpha synth starship Megaera from the novel '' Path of the Fury'' by David Weber * Cassandra de Vries – director of the dataDyne corporation from the Perfect Dark video game series * Hugo De Vries —an adversary of Inspector Morse, featured in the episode Masonic Mysteries * Piter De Vries – a twisted Mentat in the 1965 novel ''Dune'' * Tissaia de Vries – a sorceress in

The Witcher ''The Witcher'' ( pl, Wiedźmin ) is a series of six fantasy novels and 15 short stories written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The series revolves around the eponymous "witcher", Geralt of Rivia. In Sapkowski's works, "witchers" are be ...

series

References

{{Reflist Dutch-language surnames Afrikaans-language surnames Surnames of Frisian origin Ethonymic surnames