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 skater
Halbe Zijlstra (born 1969), Dutch politician (VVD)
Hieke Zijlstra (born 1981), Dutch footballer
Jelle Zijlstra (1918–2001), Dutch politician (ARP), economist and banker
nl:Jeroen Zijlstra (born 1958), Dutch musician
Kees Zijlstra (1931–2013), Dutch politician (PvdA) and civil servant
Martin Zijlstra (1944–2014), Dutch politician (PvdA)
de:Sipke Zijlstra (born 1985), Dutch racing cyclist
Wout Zijlstra (born 1964), Dutch strongman
