Van der Merwe


Van der Merwe is a common Afrikaans surname, derived from the Dutch van der Merwen. It was brought to South Africa in 1661 by Dutch people employed by the Dutch East India Company.
The progenitors of the extended clan are Willem Schalk van der Merwe and Elsje Cloete. Married in 1668 in Cape Town, they later farmed for a living in Hout Bay and eventually retired to Drakenstein. Many if not most of the people below, which include 15 rugby players, are their descendants.

People

Jaco van der Merwe, Insurance professional and businessman
Jacobus Van der Merwe South African sailor, who arrived Mexico in 1912 and never went back to his land.
Johan van der merwe born 1989, radio/tv presenter
'Van der Merwe' is the butt of many South African jokes.