Surname Vandermeulen - Meaning and Origin
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Vandermeulen: What does the surname Vandermeulen mean?
Vandermeulen is a Dutch and Flemish surname of topographic origin, which literally translates to mean "of the mills" or "from the mills". It is believed to have originated in the agricultural setting of the low countries where mills were located along various streams, often within what was referred to as a 'molenhof' (mills court). The outbuildings in such a molenhof were variously used for grain storage, animal housing, and as a workshop for mill machinery.
The family name originated in those regions in the medieval period and has since spread to other parts of Europe, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. It is most common in countries with Dutch, Flemish, and Belgian connections.
The name can also be a symbol of persistence, hard work, and resilience in the face of challenges. This is because a mill was essential to a thriving region, and the workers and operators had to ensure the mill was well maintained and running even if the flow of the stream changed or the weather was unpredictable. This same spirit of tenacity and agility is evident in those bearing the name today.
Order DNA origin analysisVandermeulen: Where does the name Vandermeulen come from?
The last name Vandermeulen is primarily found in Europe today, particularly in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It is estimated there are around 11,000-15,000 people in the world with the surname Vandermeulen.
The Belgian provinces of West Flanders, East Flanders, Limburg, Antwerp, and Liège have the highest concentration of people bearing the Vandermeulen surname. In the Netherlands, the name is found throughout the provinces, although it is particularly common in the northern provinces. The surname is also common in Luxembourg, particularly in the city of Ettelbruck.
In terms of global distribution, the surname appears to be primarily concentrated in western Europe, with some small pockets of Vandermeulens living in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
While the precise origin of the Vandermeulen surname is not known for certain, an investigation into the etymology reveals it to be of Dutch and Belgian source. In Dutch, the word 'meulen' means 'mills', while 'vander' is an old Germanic prefix which was commonly used with names. It is likely the name arose from two distinct sources, either derived from the Dutch ‘meulaer’, meaning a person who operated a milling installation, or from someone who occupied a house at some point known as ‘door de meule’, meaning ‘by the mill’.
In summary, the last name Vandermeulen is most commonly found today in western Europe, particularly in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
Variations of the surname Vandermeulen
Vandermeulen is a Dutch surname. Its variations can range from "Van der Meulen" to the French spelling "Vandenmeulen" and others. Other surnames that are derived from Vandermeulen include Vermeulen, Vermeer, Vermeeren, Vermaelen, Van Maasen, Van Maaren, and De Meulen.
The Dutch spelling "Van der Meulen" typically uses the preposition "van" and the article "der", indicating a location or origin before the "Meulen" portion of the name. The French spelling "Vandenmeulen" uses the preposition "Vanden" instead.
The surname Vermeulen is a derivative form of Vandermeulen. It is identical to the Dutch spelling, except it is missing the article "der". The Dutch surname Vermeer is a combination of "ver", meaning 'over' or 'across', and "Meulen", and is often used interchangeably with Vermeulen.
The variants Vermeeren and Vermaelen are both derived from the Dutch surname "Van Maasen". The Dutch surname Van Maasen is a combination of the preposition "van" and the name "Maasen", meaning 'from the meadow'. This name is often confused with the Dutch name "Van Maaren", which is also derived from the same preposition and name combination.
Finally, the Dutch surname De Meulen is derived from the preposition "de" and the name "Meulen". The preposition "de" is most commonly used to indicate possession, ownership, or origin. This variation of Vandermeulen is often found in the eastern areas of the Netherlands.
Overall, the Dutch surname Vandermeulen can have multiple entries depending on the spelling and derivations. Additionally, variations of the name are also found in the French language.
Famous people with the name Vandermeulen
- Chris Vandermeulen: Canadian professional soccer goalkeeper who has played for numerous clubs in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada, over his career.
- Lars Vandermeulen: Belgian professional football midfielder currently playing with Belgian side Tubize.
- Philippe Vandermeulen: Belgian football defender who played with Belgian side Cercle Brugge.
- Bjorn Vandermeulen: Belgian professional football defender currently playing with Belgian club Waasland-Beveren.
- Florian Vandermeulen: Belgian football defender who plays for the Danish side FC Helsingør.
- Pierre Vandermeulen: Belgian professional footballer who plays for Eendracht Aalst.
- Martin Vandermeulen: Belgian football coach and former player who is the current manager of Belgian side Tubize.
- William Vandermeulen: Belgian professional football defender who plays for the Dutch side Helmond Sport.
- Arthur Van der Meulen: Dutch professional football player who played for Dutch sides FC Twente and Sparta Rotterdam.
- Amanda Vandermeulen: Canadian professional soccer forward who has played professionally for the Ottawa Fury FC.