Van Dam

Van Dam ("of the dam") is a Dutch toponymic surname. People with this name include:

Andries van Dam (b. 1930), Dutch-born American computer scientist
Annick Van Dam, Belgian television actress
Carlo van Dam (b. 1986), Dutch racing driver
Danielle van Dam (1995-2002), American murder victim
Dave Van Dam, American voice impressionist
de:Jan Albertsz van Dam (1670-1746), Dutch mathematician and astronomer
Johannes van Dam (1946–2013), Dutch journalist and food writer
José van Dam (b. 1940), Belgian bass-baritone
Joseph Van Dam (1901-1986), Belgian road cyclist
Lex van Dam (b. 1968), Dutch hedge fund manager
Lloyd van Dams (b. 1972), Dutch–Surinamese kickboxer
de:Luc van Dam (1920-1976), Dutch boxer
Marcel van Dam (b. 1938), Dutch sociologist, politician and television presenter
Marinus van Dam (1929-1997), Dutch-born American candy maker
Martijn van Dam (b. 1978), Dutch engineer and politician
Nicolette van Dam (b. 1984), Dutch actress
Nikolaos van Dam (b. 1945), Dutch diplomat and Middle East expert
Rip Van Dam (c.1660-1749), New York Province politician
Rob Van Dam (b. 1970), American professional wrestler
Stephan Van Dam (b. 1959), American cartographer and graphic designer

The forms VanDam, Vandam or Vandamm are often indicative of a family of Dutch or Flemish origin which had lived for generations in a non-Dutch speaking environment, for example:

Jerry Vandam (b. 1988), Ghanaian-French footballer
Kevin VanDam (b. 1967), American fisherman
Major William Vandam, fictional British officer in Ken Follett's "The Key to Rebecca"
Phillip Vandamm, fictional spy in Hitchcock's "North by Northwest"

See also