Surname Vermeule - Meaning and Origin

Vermeule: What does the surname Vermeule mean?

The last name Vermeule is a Dutch patronymic surname. It is derived from the personal name of ‘Vermiljaard’ or ‘Virmiljaard’ (shortened over generations from Vermeuler to Vermeule), which is a combination of two Germanic personal names, ‘Vero’ and ‘Mildi’ which mean ‘renowned’ and ‘mighty’, respectively. There is evidence of the surname appearing in the Netherlands as early as the 15th century and it was likely used by those of Dutch-Germanic ancestry.

The name Vermeule was common enough in the Netherlands to become found in English-speaking countries as well. By the mid 17th century, many Dutch immigrants had settled in parts of the United Kingdom and the United States, taking the surname Vermeule with them.

Today, the name Vermeule is most common in the Netherlands and in parts of the United States, particularly in the New England states. It is most likely to be found in its original spelling, Vermeule, but can also be seen as Vermuele or Vermeulen depending on the region and dialect.

Since its origination, the name Vermeule has been associated with nobility and strength, reflecting its Germanic roots. Those with the surname Vermeule can take comfort in the strength of their ancestors, while also looking to the future with hope and optimism.

Vermeule: Where does the name Vermeule come from?

The last name Vermeule is typically found throughout the Netherlands, Belgium and surrounding countries. It is also common in various parts of the United States. In the Netherlands the name Vermeule is most prevalent in the northern provinces of Friesland and Groningen. It is also to be found in Belgium, especially in the capital city Brussels.

In the United States, the last name Vermeule is most commonly seen on the East Coast. The majority of Vermeules in the U.S. reside in New York and Pennsylvania. There is also a small but significant presence of the Vermeule last name in the Midwestern states such as Wisconsin and Michigan.

The origin of the Vermeule last name is unclear, however it is believed to have come from the French-German words ver and meule which translates to “from the mill”. This likely denotes a family whose ancestor worked or owned a mill. The pronunciation of the name in the U.S. differs from that of mainland Europe, and is typically pronounced “ver-me-ul”.

Due to the name’s origins in Europe, it is likely that the Vermeule surname will remain common in those areas for some time. People with this last name have also spread across the globe, making it a true global surname!

Variations of the surname Vermeule

Vermeule (also spelled Vermeulen, Vermuelen, and Vermeilen) is a surname of Dutch origin. The surname Vermeule is derived from the Dutch word vermoe, meaning “worn”. The original bearer of this name was someone who had a worn out or tired appearance.

Over time, the surname has developed various spellings and variants. In the Netherlands, Vermeulen is the most common spelling variation of the name. Spelling variations of Vermeule include: Vermuelen, Verbuelen, Vermeilen, and Vermulen.

The surname Vermeule is found in many countries throughout Europe including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, England, Austria, and Switzerland. There is also a large population of people who carry this name in the United States, where immigration of Dutch families in the 19th and early 20th centuries led to a large number of Vermeule families calling the US home.

In the Anglo-American tradition, Vermeule is sometimes used as a metronymic surname, derived from one’s mother rather than their father. This was especially common among immigrants in the United States, so variants such as Vermulen and Vermeillen may have arisen as a result of this.

The FamilySearch database lists the first registered instance of the surname in 1275, of a man by the name of Robert de Vermeulen living in the Netherlands.

While the original meaning of the name is derived from a worn-out appearance, the surname Vermeule is actually still seen as a sign of good fortune in many Dutch families, who prize the designation due to its long and distinguished history.

Famous people with the name Vermeule

• Emily Vermeule: Emily Vermeule was an American classicist, specializing in Greek literature and mythology. She also wrote several books on the art and archaeology of the Mediterranean world.
• Willem Vermeule: Willem Vermeule was an American philologist, classical scholar, and university professor.
• Adrian Vermeule: Adrian Vermeule is an American professor of law at Harvard Law School and a prominent legal theorist and constitutional scholar.
• Blake Vermeule: Blake Vermeule is an American literary theorist who specializes in English literature from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
• Cornelis Vermeule III: Cornelis Vermeule III was an American curator, art historian, and museum director. He was the grandson of renowned Dutch newscaster and author Cornelis Vermeule.
• Jonathan Gray Vermeule: Jonathan Gray Vermeule was an American classicist and literary scholar who specialized in Latin literature.
• John J. Vermeule: John J. Vermeule was an American classical scholar and professor of Latin and Classical Greek at both Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
• Kenneth A. Vermeule: Kenneth A. Vermeule was an American professor of Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California.
• Ashley Vermeule: Ashley Vermeule was an American professor of Classical Studies at Stanford University. She was an expert on the literature and folklore of the Ancient Greek world.
• Joanna Vermeule: Joanna Vermeule is an American writer, teacher, and book reviewer. She is an active member of the literary scene in Chicago, Illinois.

Other surnames

VermeulVermeulen