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The typically Dutch prefix "van" (which in Dutch usually is not capitalized) gives the name a Dutch appearance. Nevertheless, the surname "Van Helsing" does not seem to exist within the Dutch language area. However, in Finland there are a few hundred people who have the last name "Helsing" and this surname probably originates from the name of Finland's capital, Helsinki. (This would seem to indicate that the doctor's ancestors emigrated to the Netherlands from Scandinavia). However, please note that Professor Abraham Van Helsing is a fictional character in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, Dracula - the name is made up!

Van is Dutch for "of" while "hel" means "Hell" and "sing" can be translated to "application". There for the surname "Van Helsing" could very well mean "Application of Hell" whether this meant in irony or foreshadowing is not known.

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13y ago

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