Van Altena

Van Altena is a Dutch toponymic surname, derived from the place name Altena, a town in the Netherlands. The variant form of Altena incorporates the Dutch prefix "van," typically indicating "from" or "of" a location, a common element in Dutch surnames that denote geographical origin. The root name Altena itself is thought to signify "close" or "near" in Dutch, suggesting a connection to a specific area. Individuals bearing the surname Van Altena may trace their lineage to the historical region around Altena. The name is also associated with a minor planet: 26513 Van Altena, discovered in 2000 and named after William Foster van Altena, an American-born Chilean astronomer known for his work in stellar parallax and quasars, highlighting the name's presence in scientific recognition.