zaaier

Zaaier is a surname of Dutch origin and a common noun in Dutch and Afrikaans meaning "sower" or "seed planter." The term is formed from the verb zaai en ("to sow") with the agent-noun suffix -er, a pattern that yields occupational nicknames and surnames in Dutch and related languages. As a surname, zaaier is relatively uncommon in both the Netherlands and Afrikaans-speaking communities in South Africa and Namibia, and among the diaspora. Because it is not a widely documented name, there are no widely recognized figures exclusively associated with it in general reference sources.

In linguistic and genealogical contexts, "zaaier" is discussed as an example of occupational surname formation, illustrating how Dutch verb-based agents convert into family names. Historical records may show spelling variants such as "zaaier" or "zaijer" depending on era and orthography, but the core meaning remains linked to sowing seeds.

The term should not be confused with the verb "zaaien" itself, which remains the action of sowing.