Leeuw is Dutch for lion. It occurs as a surname, most commonly in the form of De Leeuw. "De Leeuw", “Leeuw” and Van der Leeuw are thought to mostly be toponymic surnames, with the first bearers named "(from) the Lion" after a house, windmill or farm with that name. The more common surname Van Leeuwen has a distinct origin in the small town of Leeuwen and perhaps in the city of Leuven.
