to the Low Countries. These names rarely feature . Toponymic surnames; the name is based on the location on which the bearer lives or lived. In Dutch this form of surname nearly always includes one or several , mainly , and variants. Many emigrants removed the spacing, leading to derived names for well-known people like Cornelius Vanderbilt. While denotes of, Dutch surnames are sometimes associated with the upper class of society or aristocracy (cf. William of Orange). However, in Dutch often reflects the original place of origin (Van der Bilt – One who comes from De Bilt); rather than denote any aristocratic status. Occupational surnames; the name is based on the occupation of the bearer. Well known examples include Molenaar, Visser and Smit. This practice is similar to English surnames (the example names translate perfectly to Miller, Fisher and Smith). Cognominal surnames; based on nicknames relating to physical appearance or other features, on the appearance or character of the bearer (at least at the time of registration). For example ('the tall one'), ('the big one'), ('the brave one'). Other surnames may relate to animals. For example; ('The Lion'), ('Birds'), ('Cuckoo') and ('The Falcon'); to a desired social status; e.g., ('Prince'), ('King'), ('Emperor'); or to color; e.g. ('red'), ('blue'), ('the white'). There is also a set of made up or descriptive names; e.g. ('born naked'). Dutch names can differ greatly in spelling. The surname Baks, for example is also recorded as Backs, Bacxs, Bax, Bakx, Baxs, Bacx, Backx, Bakxs and Baxcs. Though written differently, pronunciation remains identical. Dialectal variety also commonly occurs, with De Smet and De Smit both meaning Smith for example. Surnames of Dutch migrants in foreign environments (mainly the English-speaking world and Francophonie) are often adapted, not only in pronunciation but also in spelling. Culture Religion Prior to the arrival of Christianity, the ancestors of the Dutch adhered to a form of Germanic paganism augmented with various Celtic elements. At the start of the 6th century, the first (Hiberno-Scottish) missionaries arrived. They were later replaced by Anglo-Saxon missionaries, who eventually succeeded in converting most of the inhabitants by the 8th century. Since then, Christianity has been the dominant religion in the region. In the early 16th century, the Protestant Reformation began to form and soon spread in the Westhoek and the County of Flanders, where secret open-air sermons were held, called ('hedgerow orations') in Dutch. The ruler of