Zijlstra is a West Frisian toponymic surname meaning "from the Zijl", a Middle Dutch name for a waterway. The suffix "-stra" is derived from old Germanic -sater, meaning sitter or dweller. It may refer to:
Auke Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch politician (PVV)Carla Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch speed skaterHalbe Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch politician (VVD)Hieke Zijlstra (born 1981), Dutch footballerJelle Zijlstra (1918–2001), Dutch politician (ARP), economist and bankernl:Jeroen Zijlstra (born 1958), Dutch musicianKees Zijlstra (1931–2013), Dutch politician (PvdA) and civil servantMartin Zijlstra (1944–2014), Dutch politician (PvdA)de:Sipke Zijlstra (born 1985), Dutch racing cyclistWout Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch strongman