There is no choice involved, that _is_ the meaning.
However, when the particle can be omitted, it is clear to me that it is not part of the name. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, is often just referred to as "Frau Leyen", e.g. in German-language media. Of course, when the particle and the last name have been merged, as in :
zumtobel, vontobel, vandenberg, dimaggio, aufdermauer
the particle cannot be omitted, but then the name is only 1-part anyway :-) Depends on country / region. In dutch "van Bergen" only means that the ancestor during Napoleon, when last names were mandatory for everyone, was
Op vrijdag 24 maart 2023 18:16:59 CET schreef Per Jessen: living in Bergen. One of my ancestors was named "van Altena" totally unrelated to the region Altena, but to the farm he owned, which is not even near Altena. To distinguish these from nobility related names, the latter may carry their title as part of their last name. f.e. "Bladiebla Barones van Where ever" Just fyi. -- Gertjan Lettink a.k.a. Knurpht openSUSE Board openSUSE Forums Team