Aartsma is a Frisian surname meaning "son of Arend," with the suffix -ma indicating its Frisian origin. The name Arend itself is a Dutch and German variant of Arnold, which derives from the Germanic elements arn "eagle" and walt "power, authority," giving the meaning "eagle power." The Normans brought the name Arnold to England, where it replaced the Old English cognate Earnweald. It fell out of use after the Middle Ages but was revived in the 19th century.As a surname, Aartsma fits a common Frisian patronymic pattern where -ma denotes "son of," similar to the more widely known -sen suffix in Danish and Norwegian. The name is most prevalent in the Friesland province of the Netherlands, with a notable presence in the municipality of Leeuwarden. According to Forebears, the surname Aartsma is relatively rare, with only a few hundred bearers worldwide.Related surnames in Dutch include Aartsen, Aarse, and Aarens, all sharing the root "Aart" or "Arend." Similarly, Afrikaans has Arendse, reflecting the influence of Dutch naming conventions in South Africa.Meaning: Son of ArendOrigin: FrisianType: SurnameUsage Regions: Netherlands, especially Friesland