DutchAmerican

Dutch American is a term used to describe Americans of Dutch or Netherlandish ancestry, or communities and cultural forms that derive from Dutch settlement and immigration in the United States. It encompasses descendants of the 17th‑century Dutch colonists in the area of New Netherland (today parts of New York, New Jersey, and Delaware) as well as later waves of Dutch immigrants from the Netherlands and their American-born descendants. The designation is sometimes broader, including people with mixed European ancestry who identify with Dutch heritage.

History and settlement patterns begin with the 1600s, when Dutch merchants established trading posts and farms along the Hudson River and in surrounding regions. The settlement centered at New Amsterdam, which became New York City, and Dutch influence extended to trade networks, legal practices, and urban development. Over subsequent centuries, Dutch Americans contributed to agricultural innovations, education, architecture, and religious life in various regions of the country.

A related but distinct term is Pennsylvania Dutch, which is often cited in American contexts. The Pennsylvania Dutch are primarily descended from German-speaking immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and nearby areas in the 18th and 19th centuries; the name reflects a historical misnomer, with "Dutch" deriving from Deutsch (German) rather than from the Netherlands.

Culture and identity among Dutch Americans have been shaped by religion, particularly the Dutch Reformed tradition historically present in many communities, as well as by place names, family names, and local customs. Today, Dutch American heritage is diverse, with connections that vary by region and family history, and it often intersects with broader Dutch, Frisian, or German American identities.