Drijver

Drijver is a Dutch surname. It is commonly interpreted as an occupational name for a person who drove or steered vehicles, ships, or other drawn equipment, formed with the agent suffix -er. The root is linked to the Dutch verb drijven or related forms meaning to drive forward or propel, though exact etymology can vary by source. In historical records, spellings such as Driever and Drijver appear, reflecting regional pronunciation and orthographic variation.

Geographically, the surname is most common in the Netherlands and is also found in Belgian Dutch-speaking regions, with additional occurrences among Dutch-speaking communities abroad. In genealogical and onomastic references, the name appears in records from medieval and early modern periods onward, often in parish registers and civil documents.

As a surname, Drijver has been borne by individuals across various fields in Dutch-speaking regions. The form remains a recognized example of an occupational surname in Dutch onomastics.