Asperen

Asperen is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of West Betuwe, and lies about 10 km (6 miles) east of Gorinchem on the river Linge. It received city rights in 1313.
In Roman times Asperen was the location of the Roman settlement Caspingium from which it takes its name.
In 2020, the village of Asperen had 3500 inhabitants. The built-up area of the village was 0.72 km² (180 acres), and contained 1087 residences.
The statistical area "Asperen", which also includes the peripheral parts of the village, as well as the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 3060.
Until 1986, Asperen was a separate municipality; until that year, it was located in the province of South Holland.
Dirk Willems was a notable resident, as a sixteenth-century martyred Anabaptist – most famous for his act, after escaping from prison, of turning around to rescue his pursuer, who had fallen through thin ice while chasing Willems. This resulted in Willems being recaptured, then tortured and killed for his faith.
A number of family surnames and variations originate from this place name, such as Van Asperen, Asperenn, Asperenns, Asperens, Asperene, Asperenes, Asper, Asperren, Aspperen and Aspperens.