Visser () is a

Dutch Dutch or Nederlands commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands ** Dutch people as an ethnic group () ** Dutch nationality law, history and regulations of Dutch citizenship () ** Dutch language () * In specific terms, i ...

occupational surname In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

, meaning "fisherman". In 2007, nearly 50,000 people in the Netherlands carried the name, making it the eighth most populous name in the country.Visser
at the Database of Surnames in The Netherlands Common variant forms of the name are ''

De Visser de Visser is a Dutch occupational surname meaning "the fisherman". Notable people with that name include: * Eefje de Visser (born 1986), Dutch singer-songwriter * Johannes Theodoor de Visser (1857–1932), Dutch Minister of Science and Education ...

'', ''

Visscher Visscher is a Dutch language, Dutch occupational surname. ''Visscher'' is an archaic spelling of Dutch ''visser'' meaning "fisherman". Varianta are ''Visschers'' and '' De Visscher''. The latter form is now most common in East Flanders.

'', and '' Vissers''.

Geographical distribution

As of 2014, 43.7% of all known bearers of the surname ''Visser'' were residents of South Africa (frequency 1:870), 39.3% of the Netherlands (1:303), 4.8% of the United States (1:52,799), 3.3% of Mozambique (1:5,812), 2.1% of Canada (1:12,250), 1.6% of Australia (1:10,599) and 1.3% of Germany (1:42,516). In the Netherlands, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:303) in the following provinces: * 1.

Friesland Friesland ( ; ; official ), historically and traditionally known as Frisia (), named after the Frisians, is a Provinces of the Netherlands, province of the Netherlands located in the country's northern part. It is situated west of Groningen (p ...

(1:94) * 2.

Flevoland Flevoland () is the twelfth and newest province of the Netherlands, established in 1986, when the southern and eastern Flevopolders, together with the Noordoostpolder, were merged into one provincial entity. It is in the centre of the countr ...

(1:165) * 3.

Groningen Groningen ( , ; ; or ) is the capital city and main municipality of Groningen (province), Groningen province in the Netherlands. Dubbed the "capital of the north", Groningen is the largest place as well as the economic and cultural centre of ...

(1:212) * 4.

North Holland North Holland (, ) is a Provinces of the Netherlands, province of the Netherlands in the northwestern part of the country. It is located on the North Sea, north of South Holland and Utrecht (province), Utrecht, and west of Friesland and Flevola ...

(1:222) * 5.

South Holland South Holland ( ) is a province of the Netherlands with a population of over 3.8 million as of January 2023 and a population density of about , making it the country's most populous province and one of the world's most densely populated areas. ...

(1:274) In South Africa, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:870) in the following provinces:Visser surname distribution
/ref> * 1.

Northern Cape The Northern Cape ( ; ; ) is the largest and most sparsely populated Provinces of South Africa, province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley, South Africa, Kimberley. It includes ...

(1:191) * 2.

Western Cape The Western Cape ( ; , ) is a provinces of South Africa, province of South Africa, situated on the south-western coast of the country. It is the List of South African provinces by area, fourth largest of the nine provinces with an area of , an ...

(1:382) * 3.

North West The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A ''compass rose'' is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each ...

(1:755) * 4. Free State (1:816) * 5.

Gauteng Gauteng ( , ; Sotho-Tswana languages, Sotho-Tswana for 'place of gold'; or ) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Situated on the Highveld, Gauteng is the smallest province by land area in South Africa. Although Gauteng accounts f ...

(1:830)

People

* A. G. Visser (1878–1929), Afrikaans poet *

Ad Visser Ad Visser (born 28 April 1947, in Amsterdam) is a Dutch VJ, presenter, writer, and music artist. Career in the music industry In 1965, Visser performed with his avant-garde pop trio Blurp on AVRO television. He presented the AVRO programmes ...

(born 1947), Dutch radio presenter *

Adrie Visser Adriana ("Adrie") Visser (born 19 October 1983 in Hoorn) is a former Dutch track and road racer who lives in Wieringerwerf. Visser started her professional career in 2001, when she finished second at the Dutch road race championship. She ca ...

(born 1983), Dutch cyclist *

Angela Visser Angela Visser (born 18 October 1966) is a Dutch actress, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 1989. She is the first and so far the only Dutch woman to win the title of the Miss Universe 1989, Miss Universe. Visser, who had previ ...

(born 1966), Dutch model and actress * Aron Visser (born 1999), South African cricketer * Atie Visser (1914–2014), Dutch resistance fighter during World War II * Audrae Visser (1919–2001), American poet *

Barbara Visser Barbara Visser (born 16 August 1977) is a Dutch-Croatian politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). From 31 August 2021 to 10 January 2022, she served as Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands ...

(born 1977), Dutch politician *

Barbara Visser (artist) Barbara Visser (born May 20, 1966 in Haarlem) is a Dutch artist, who works as conceptual artist, photographer, video artist, and performance artist.Barney Visser (born 1949), American businessman and racing team owner *

Beitske Visser Beitske Visser (born 10 March 1995) is a Dutch people, Dutch Auto racing#Racing driver, racing driver. She has raced in kart, single-seater, GT and prototype series. Career Karting Born in Dronten, Visser began karting in 2007 and raced in va ...

(born 1995), Dutch racing driver *

Brian Visser Brian Visser (born June 2, 1987, in Elmhurst, Illinois) is an American soccer goalkeeper that played for DePaul University as well as the USL Professional Division. Career College Visser played his collegiate soccer for DePaul University for fo ...

(born 1987), American soccer goalkeeper *

Carel Visser Carel Nicolaas Visser (3 May 1928 – 1 March 2015) was a Dutch sculptor. He is considered an important representative of Dutch abstract-minimalist constructivism in sculpture. Life and work Visser was born on 3 May 1928 in Papendrecht. From 19 ...

(1928–2015), Dutch sculptor *

Christia Visser Christia Visser (born 2 March 1992) is a South African actress and singer. She received a SAFTA nomination for her performance in the film '' Tess'' (2016). She began releasing music in 2019. Her debut album ''Gemaklik Verlore'' (2020) was nom ...

(born 1992), South African actress and singer * Cor Visser (1903–1982), Dutch artist *

Cornelis Visser Cornelis L. Visser (born 14 November 1965, Stellendam) is a Dutch politician and since May 2017 mayor of Katwijk Katwijk () is a coastal municipality and town in the province of South Holland, which is situated in the mid-western part of ...

(born 1964), Dutch politician *

Danie Visser Danie Visser (born 26 July 1961) is a former professional tennis player from South Africa. A doubles specialist, he won three Grand Slam men's doubles titles (two Australian Open and one US Open). Visser reached the world No. 1 doubles rankin ...

(born 1961), South African tennis player * Dennis Visser (born 1993), South African rugby player *

Dennis Visser (speed skater) Dennis Visser (born 3 April 1995 in Sneek) is a Dutch short track speed skater. He won the gold medal in the 5000 metre relay event at the 2017 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships and also at the 2018 European Short Track Speed Skatin ...

(born 1995), Dutch short track speed skater *

Eelco Visser Eelco Visser (12 October 1966 – 5 April 2022) was an Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Professor of Computer Science at Delft University of Technology. Academic career Visser was born in Rijswijk. He received an MSc and Doctorate in Computer Science fr ...

(born 1966), Dutch computer scientist * Elizabeth Visser (1908–1987), Dutch classical scholar *

Eric Visser Eric Visser (born 4 June 1951) is the founder of both the Dutch publishing house De Geus and the Dutch-based publishing house World Editions. De Geus In 1983, he founded Dutch independent publishing house De Geus. Since then, he has always worke ...

(born 1951), Dutch publisher *

Esmee Visser Esmee Michelle Visser (; born 26 January 1996) is a Dutch Speed skating, speed skater and Olympic Champion who specialises in long-distance events. Born in Leiden, she qualified for the 5000 metres at the 2018 Winter Olympics in December 2017. ...

(born 1996), Dutch speed skater * Floris Visser (born 1983), Dutch opera director * Gerrit Visser (1903–1984), Dutch footballer * Gian Visser (born 1975), South African IT entrepreneur * Guido Visser (born 1970), Canadian cross-country skier * Guillaume Visser (1880–1952), Belgian rower *

Henk Visser (collector) Hinderikus Lucas Visser (5 August 1923 – 11 June 2006), also known as Henk Visser, was a Dutch arms and armor collector, businessman and philanthropist. The H. L. Visser Collection, specializing in arms from the Dutch Golden Age, is considere ...

(1923–2006), Dutch arms and armory collector *

Henk Visser (long jumper) Henk Visser (23 March 1932 – 13 November 2015) was a long jumper from the Netherlands. He competed at the 1952 and 1960 Summer Olympics and finished seventh in 1960. Records On 17 September 1956, during the international competitions in Buchare ...

(1932–2015), Dutch long jumper *

Henk Visser (pediatrician) Hendrik Klaas Aldert "Henk" Visser (19 June 1930 – 25 March 2023) was a Dutch pediatrician. He was professor of pediatrics at the Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Erasmus MC between 1967 and 1995. Life and career Visser was born on 19 June 1 ...

(1930–2023), Dutch pediatrician *

Henk Visser (politician) Henk Visser (born 1946) is a Dutch politician of the Reformatory Political Federation (RPF) and its successor the ChristianUnion (CU). From 1984 to 1987, Visser was Party Chair of the RPF. From 1990 to 1997, Visser was mayor of Arnemuiden ...

(born 1946), Dutch politician * Impi Visser (born 1995), South African rugby player * Ingrid Visser (biologist) (born 1966), New Zealand marine biologist *

Ingrid Visser (volleyball) Ingrid Louise Visser (4 June 1977 – 14 May 2013) was a Dutch female volleyball player, a member of the Netherlands women's national volleyball team in 1994–2011, a participant of the 1996 Olympic Games and 1995 European Champion. Career N ...

(1977–2013), Dutch volleyball player * Jenny Visser-Hooft (1888–1939), Dutch traveler, mountaineer, and naturalist, wife of Philips Visser * Jaco Visser (born c. 1970), South African rugby player * John E. Visser (1920–1997), American University president *

Jurgen Visser Petrus Jurgen Visser (born 13 September 1989) is a South African rugby union footballer whose usual position is full back. He represented in 2010 before moving to Pretoria, where he played for the in the domestic Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup c ...

(born 1989), South African rugby player * Kevin Visser (born 1988), Dutch footballer * Kyle Visser (born 1985), American basketball player *

Leo Visser Leendert "Leo" Visser (born 13 January 1966) is a Dutch former speed skater, who in 1989 won the World Allround championships and European championships. At the 1988 Olympics in Calgary he won a silver medal in the 5000 m and a bronze medal in ...

(born 1966), Dutch speed skater *

Lesley Visser Lesley Candace Visser (born September 11, 1953) is an American sportscaster, television and radio personality, and sportswriter. Visser is the first female NFL analyst on TV, and the only sportscaster in history who has worked on Final Four, NBA ...

(born 1953), American sportscaster * (1940–2014), Dutch operatic baritone and singing teacher * Lucie Visser (born 1958), Dutch model and actress *

Margaret Visser Margaret Visser (born May 11, 1940) is a Canadian writer and broadcaster who lives in Toronto, Paris, and South West France. Her subject matter is the history, anthropology, and mythology of everyday life. Biography Born in South Africa, she att ...

(born 1940), Canadian writer and broadcaster * Marius Visser (born 1982), Namibian rugby player *

Mark Visser Mark Robert Visser (born 9 March 1983) is an Australian professional big wave surfer, author, keynote speaker and ocean adventurer. Visser is best known for being the first person to surf Hawaii's most dangerous wave Jaws, Maui, at night in ...

(born 1983), Australian surfer *

Mart Visser Mart Visser (born 10 July 1968) is a Dutch fashion designer and sculptor from Sleeuwijk, Netherlands. Education Visser studied fashion and design at the Hoge School Amsterdam. The Amsterdam Fashion Academy (formerly known as Charles Montai ...

(born 1968), Dutch fashion designer * Martinus Visser (1924–2008), Australian sailor *

Matt Visser Matt Visser () is a mathematics Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, in New Zealand. Career Visser completed a PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, supervised by Mary K. Gaillard. Visser's research interests include gene ...

, New Zealand mathematician *

Mattijs Visser Mat(tijs) Visser (born 1958 in The Hague, Netherlands) studied architecture in Delft, the Netherlands and is since then an organiser of performances and art exhibitions. He was head of exhibitions at Museum Kunst Palast in Düsseldorf for eight y ...

(born 1958), Dutch organizer of art exhibitions *

Maura Visser Maura Visser (born 1 June 1985) is a Dutch handballer who plays as a playmaker for SG BBM Bietigheim. She competed at the 2010 European Women's Handball Championship The 2010 European Women's Handball Championship was held in Denmark and No ...

(born 1985), Dutch handballer *

Nadine Visser Nadine Visser (; born 9 February 1995) is a Dutch track and field athlete who competed in the Combined track and field events, combined events until 2017 and specialises in hurdling, short hurdling since 2018. Visser won the bronze medal in the ...

(born 1995), Dutch heptathlete *

Naomi Visser Naomi Visser (born 24 August 2001) is a Dutch artistic gymnast. She was part of the bronze medal-winning teams at the 2018 and 2023 European Championships. She represented the Netherlands at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Early life Visser was bo ...

(born 2001), Dutch artistic gymnast *

Nikki Visser Nikki Visser (born 24 March 1975 ) is an Australian former model and television personality. She is most famous for her cover appearances in ''Inside Sport'', '' FHM'' and ''Ralph'' magazines during the 1990s and early 2000s. Early life Born ...

(born 1975), Australian model, television presenter, and actress *

Paul Calvin Visser Paul Calvin Visser is an American politician who was mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan Flint is the largest city in Genesee County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. Located along the Flint River (Michigan), Flint River northwe ...

(born c. 1936), American mayor of Flint, Michigan * Philips Christiaan Visser (1882–1955), Dutch geographer, explorer, mountaineer, and diplomat * Peter Visser (born 1960), New Zealand cricketer * Piet Visser, pseudonym of Belgian writer Lode Van Den Bergh (1920–2020) *

Ria Visser Adriana Johanna "Ria" Visser (born 20 July 1961) is a Dutch ice speed skater. Visser participated in six World Allround Speed Skating Championships, performing best at her first attempt in 1979, when she came in 6th. In 1979 and 1980, she won t ...

(born 1961), Dutch speed skater and TV commentator * Robert Visser (1860–1937), German photographer *

Rod Visser Rod Sanderson Visser is a former Canadian politician. Visser served as a BC Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2001 until his defeat in the 2005 provincial election, representing the riding of North Island.

, Canadian politician * Rokus Bernardus Visser (1914–1977), Dutch and later Indonesian Military commander * Sanna Visser (born 1984), Dutch volleyball player *

Sep Visser Sep Visser (; born 14 December 1990) is a Netherlands national rugby union team, Netherlands international rugby union player. He most recently played as a dual player for Boroughmuir RFC and Edinburgh Rugby, playing as a centre and a wing. Ear ...

(born 1990), Dutch rugby union player *

Sim Visser Simon Hendrik "Sim" Visser (3 January 1908 – 13 April 1983) was a Dutch politician. Sources Ir. S.H. (Sim) Visserat www.parlement.com.Biographyin the Biografisch Woordenboek van Nederland The ''Biografisch Woordenboek van Nederland 1880 ...

(1908–1983), Dutch politician *

Susan Visser Susan Visser (born 15 October 1965) is a Dutch film actress. She has appeared in more than forty films and television shows since 1990. She is best known for her role as Anouk Verschuur in Gooische Vrouwen ''Gooische Vrouwen'' is a Dutch com ...

(born 1965), Dutch film actress *

Thijs Visser Thijs Visser (born October 19, 1989) is an Aruban sailor. He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the Nacra 17 The Nacra 17 is a performance catamaran used for sailing. It was designed in 2011, went into production in 2012 and has been th ...

(born 1989), Aruban sailor *

Tim Visser Tim Visser (; born 29 May 1987) is a Dutch rugby union player, who played as a winger for the Scotland national rugby union team, Scotland national team and for English club Harlequin F.C., Harlequins. Early life Visser was born in De Bilt, Ne ...

(born 1987), Dutch rugby player representing Scotland; brother of Sep *

Wayne Visser Wayne Visser is a writer, speaker, film producer, academic, editor of poetry, social entrepreneur and futurist focused on sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and creating integrated value. Biography Wayne Visser was born ...

(born 1970), South African writer, academic, social entrepreneur and futurist *

Werner Visser Werner Jakobus Visser (born 27 February 1998) is a South African male discus thrower, who won a gold medal at the 2015 World Youth Championships in Cali. At senior level, he won his first medal, a silver, at the 2018 African Championships in As ...

(born 1998), South African discus thrower * Willem Jacob Visser (1915–1991), Dutch linguist * Yge Visser (born 1963), Dutch chess player *

Yolandi Visser Anri du Toit (born 3 March 1984), known professionally as Yolandi Visser (stylised as ¥o-Landi Vi$$er), is a South African singer, rapper, and songwriter. She is one of two vocalists in the alternative hip hop group Die Antwoord, along with Wa ...

(born 1984), South African singer/rapper * Yvonne Visser (born 1965), Canadian biathlete *

Zarck Visser Zarck Visser (born 15 September 1989) is a South African athlete specialising in the long jump. He won silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games The 2014 Commonwealth Games (), officially known as the XX Commonwealth Games and commonly ...

(born 1989), South African long jumper

Compound names

Haas Visser 't Hooft Hendrik Philip "Haas" Visser 't Hooft (20 September 1905 in Haarlem – 28 July 1977 in Velp) was a Dutch field hockey player who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the IX Olympiad ( ...

(1905–1977), Dutch field hockey player *

Willem Visser 't Hooft Willem Adolph Visser 't Hooft (20 September 1900 – 4 July 1985) was a Dutch theologian who became the first secretary general of the World Council of Churches in 1948 and held this position until his retirement in 1966. Biography Visser 't H ...

(1900–1985), Dutch secretary general of the World Council of Churches

References

{{surname, Visser Dutch-language surnames Occupational surnames