15th century

• Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536), humanist (long-term resident, born in Gouda)

16th century

• Piet Hein (1577–1629), naval officer (born in Delfshaven)
• Willem Pieterszoon Buytewech (1591–1624), painter

17th century

• Simon de Vlieger (1601–1653), painter
• Hendrik Martenszoon Sorgh (1610–1670), painter
• Willem Kalf (1619–1693), painter
• Aert Jansse van Nes (1626–1693), naval officer
• Pieter de Hooch (1629–1684), painter
• Pierre Bayle (1647–1706), theologian and philosopher
• Grinling Gibbons (1648–1721), wood carver
• Adriaen van der Werff (1659–1722), painter (born in Kralingen)
• Bernard Mandeville (1670–1733), philosopher, political economist and satirist
• Henrik Brenkman (1681–1736), jurist
• James_Scott,_Duke_of_Monmouth (1649-1685), illegitimate son of Charles II of England

18th century

• Pieter Hellendaal (1721–1799), composer
• Gijsbert Karel van Hogendorp (1762–1834), politician
• Hendrik Tollens (1780–1856), poet

19th century

• Willem Hendrik de Vriese (1802–1862), botanist
• Jacobus van 't Hoff (1852–1911), chemist
• George Hendrik Breitner (1857–1923), painter
• Sophia Goudstikker (1865-1926), feminist and photographer
• Kees van Dongen (1877–1968), painter
• Hendrik Willem van Loon (1882–1944), writer
• Louis Davids (1883–1939), cabaretier
• Dina Appeldoorn (1884–1938), composer and pianist
• Anthony van Hoboken (1887–1983), musicologist
• Hans Kramers (1894–1952), physicist
• Rudolf van Reest (1897–1979), writer
• Sidney J. van den Bergh (1898–1977), manager, general and politician
• Pieter Menten (1899–1987), art collector and war criminal

20th century