Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
* van: This is a preposition meaning "from" or "of".
* de: This is a definite article, meaning "the".
* Ven: This word refers to a marsh, swamp, or bog.
Therefore, the name "van de Ven" is a toponymic surname, indicating that the original bearer of the name came from a place with marshes or swamps.
It's worth noting that the specific location of "de Ven" is not always clear, as there are several places in the Netherlands that have "Ven" in their name.