Zijlstra

Zijlstra is a West Frisian toponymic or occupational surname meaning "from/of the Zijl", a Middle Dutch name for a type of sluice (Modern Dutch Spuisluis, German Siel). The suffix "-stra" is derived from old Germanic -sater, meaning sitter or dweller. The name could thus be referring to a lock keeper. Variant forms are Zeijlstra, Zeilstra, Zylstra, and Sylstra. The latter is the common spelling abroad. People with this name include:

Zeilstra Zylstra
 * Anca Zijlstra (born 1973), Dutch darts player
 * Auke Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch politician (PVV)
 * Carla Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch speed skater
 * Halbe Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch politician (VVD), Minister of Foreign Affairs 2017–18
 * Hieke Zijlstra (born 1981), Dutch footballer
 * Jelle Zijlstra (1918–2001), Dutch politician (ARP), economist and banker, Prime Minister 1966–67
 * Kees Zijlstra (1931–2013), Dutch politician (PvdA) and civil servant
 * Martin Zijlstra (1944–2014), Dutch politician (PvdA)
 * Rinse Zijlstra (1927–2017), Dutch politician (ARP), brother of Jelle
 * Sipke Zijlstra (born 1985), Dutch racing cyclist
 * Wout Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch strongman
 * Bart Zeilstra (born 1982), Dutch rapper and singer known as "Baas B"
 * Bernard Zylstra (1934–1986), Canadian political scientist
 * Brandon Zylstra (born 1993), American football player
 * Gerben Zylstra (born 1959), American biochemist
 * Lynne Zylstra (1945 - 2023), New Zealand artist
 * Shane Zylstra (born 1996), American football player