houtman

Houtman is a Dutch surname meaning “woodman” or “man from the woods.” It may refer to several historical figures as well as geographic names derived from those individuals. The most notable bearers are Cornelis de Houtman and Frederik de Houtman.

Cornelis de Houtman was a Dutch explorer who captained the first Dutch voyage to the East Indies in the late 16th century. The expedition, which began in 1595, opened sustained Dutch contacts with ports in the Indonesian archipelago and contributed to the early Dutch spice trade, although the voyage was marked by hardship and he died at sea during the return.

Frederik de Houtman was a Dutch navigator and scholar who participated in early voyages to the East Indies under the Dutch East India Company. He is associated with early attempts to chart the southern skies and with the broader Dutch exploratory program of the period. The Houtman Abrolhos, a group of islands off the coast of Western Australia, are named after him due to his involvement in the exploration that led to their sighting.

In addition to these historical figures, the name Houtman appears in place names and as a surname used by contemporary individuals in various fields. The legacy of the name is most closely tied to Dutch maritime exploration and the early centuries of European contact with Asia and Australia.