Find out how popular the last name Boshoven is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Boshoven.

Boshoven, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Boshoven surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Boshoven in America

Boshoven is the 143847th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Boshoven surname appeared 106 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Boshoven.

The history of the last name Boshoven

The surname Boshoven has its origins in the Low Countries, specifically within the regions that comprise modern-day Netherlands and Belgium. The name likely emerged during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th or 15th century. The Netherlands, during this period, was characterized by a fragmented political landscape of feudal estates and emerging towns. The name Boshoven is believed to be toponymic, derived from the Dutch words "bos," meaning "forest," and "hoven," meaning "gardens" or "courtyards." This suggests that the original bearers of the name might have been associated with a location characterized by forested gardens or a wooded estate.

In terms of historical records, variations of the surname appear in various regional documents dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. For instance, a reference to a Jan van Boshoven appears in a court registry from the Duchy of Brabant in 1487, indicating that the name was already established by then. Additionally, in an old municipal record from the city of Eindhoven dated 1534, a family named Boshoven is mentioned as landowners, further indicating the name's presence in the southern part of the Netherlands.

The Boshoven surname appears in tax censuses from the early 1600s in the region around Breda, a city in the southern Netherlands. Among the earliest recorded individuals is Pieter Boshoven, who was born around 1630 and mentioned in documents related to land transactions. His descendants continued to occupy roles within the local community, indicating a degree of social stability and prominence.

Further historical evidence of the surname can be found in ecclesiastical records. In the mid-17th century, a Joannes Boshoven is mentioned in the baptismal registers of a parish church in Maastricht, marking another area where the family had settled. Joannes Boshoven, born in 1658, was noted for his contributions to local charitable causes, illustrating an involvement in both religious and social aspects of community life.

One notable individual bearing the surname is Maria Boshoven, a prominent figure in the late 18th century. Maria was born in 1751 in the village of Oisterwijk and became known for her work as an educator and her efforts to improve literacy among local children. Her legacy includes several letters and teaching materials preserved in regional archives.

In the 19th century, the name appears in migration records, as members of the Boshoven family emigrated to the Americas during periods of significant European emigration. Henricus Boshoven, born in 1823, is documented as having settled in Pennsylvania in 1852. His efforts to establish a farm contributed to the burgeoning Dutch immigrant community there.

Finally, the surname Boshoven appears in some 19th-century military documents. Jacobus Boshoven, born in 1847, served in the Dutch East Indies colonial forces and is noted for his military service in Java and Sumatra. His diaries, which provide insights into colonial life and military campaigns, are preserved in the Dutch National Archives.

The history of the surname Boshoven, with its roots in Dutch forests and gardens, illustrates a fascinating journey through centuries of European history, marked by land ownership, social contributions, migration, and service. This detailed lineage showcases the diverse roles played by individuals bearing this name, contributing to various aspects of their respective communities.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Boshoven

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Boshoven.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Boshoven was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Boshoven was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Boshoven, please contact us.

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