The term Cape Dutch was used to describe the Dutch, French, German, and other European descended inhabitants of the Western Cape who from the 17th century into the 19th century who remained loyal subjects of European (first Dutch then later British) powers while their pastoralist trekking cousins: the Trekboers were migrating away from the Western Cape carving out a distinct culture and dialect with a strong desire for independence. It is believed the that the term Cape Dutch was coined by Trekboers to illustrate the fact that the Cape Dutch did not share the same culture and interests or desire for independence as the Trekboers did. The Cape Dutch had little affinity for their rustic Trekboer cousins whose language, culture, and frontier lifestyle they deemed as inferior.

When the Voortrekkers (mainly descendants of Trekboers) embarked on a series of mass migrations later known as the Great Trek: it was ridiculed and derided by the Cape Dutch believing that not much would come of it.

During the early twentieth century the descendants of the Cape Dutch and the Boers of Voortrekker and Trekboer descent would become known as Afrikaners. A term based on the language they spoke: Afrikaans -which was based on an archaic Dutch dialect with numerous regional influences. The Cape Dutch spoke a dialect called Cape Afrikaans or Western Cape Afrikaans while the Trekboers & most Voortrekkers spoke a dialect called Eastern Border Afrikaans. The Griquas (a métis of part Boer & Khoi) spoke a dialect called Orange River Afrikaans.

The descendants of the Cape Dutch in the twentieth century were considered more "liberal" and inter-nationalist while their northern estranged cousins: the descendants of Voortrekkers and Trekboers were considered more conservative, republican and nationalist.

During the referendum of 1960 which asked voters if they wanted to break ties to Britain and adopt a republic in South Africa: many Cape Dutch descendants voted not in favour while most Republican Boer descendants voted in favour.

The Republic of South Africa was adopted on a 51% result of the referendum due to the popular support of the Republican Boer descendants.

The term Cape Dutch also refers to a style of architectural design used in houses of the 17th century in the Cape particularly in Cape Town.