Zijlstra is a West Frisian toponymic or occupational surname meaning "from/of the Zijl", a Middle Dutch name for a type of sluice (Modern Dutch Spuisluis, German Siel). The suffix "-stra" is derived from old Germanic -sater, meaning sitter or dweller. The name could thus be referring to a lock keeper. Variant forms are Zeijlstra, Zeilstra, Zylstra, and Sylstra. The latter is the common spelling abroad.^[1] People with this name include:

• Anca Zijlstra (born 1973), Dutch darts player
• Auke Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch politician (PVV)
• Carla Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch speed skater
• Halbe Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch politician (VVD), Minister of Foreign Affairs 2017–18
• Hieke Zijlstra (born 1981), Dutch footballer
• Jelle Zijlstra (1918–2001), Dutch politician (ARP), economist and banker, Prime Minister 1966–67
• Kees Zijlstra (1931–2013), Dutch politician (PvdA) and civil servant
• Martin Zijlstra (1944–2014), Dutch politician (PvdA)
• Rinse Zijlstra (1927–2017), Dutch politician (ARP), brother of Jelle
• Sipke Zijlstra (born 1985), Dutch racing cyclist
• Wout Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch strongman

Zeilstra

• Bart Zeilstra (born 1982), Dutch rapper and singer known as "Baas B"

Zylstra

• Bernard Zylstra (1934–1986), Canadian political scientist
• Brandon Zylstra (born 1993), American football player
• Gerben Zylstra (born 1959), American biochemist
• Lynne Zylstra (1945 - 2023), New Zealand artist
• Shane Zylstra (born 1996), American football player

Surname list

This page lists people with the surname Zijlstra.
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