History: The surname Van Niekerk is of Dutch origin, meaning ‘from the church’ or ‘from the churchyard’. It was brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. Notable individuals with this surname include:

  • Wayde van Niekerk: A South African sprinter born in 1992, known for his world record in the 400 meters. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayde_van_Niekerk))
  • Johan van Niekerk: A South African rugby player born in 1990.