Pauwels

Pauwels is a Dutch and Flemish surname, and occasionally a given name, found primarily in the Low Countries. It is a patronymic surname derived from Pauwel, a diminutive form of Paulus, the Latin form of Paul. The combination indicates “son of Pauwel,” reflecting a common naming practice in Dutch and Flemish communities.

The spelling Pauwels is the standard form in Dutch and Flemish contexts, with related variants such as Pauwel and Pawels appearing in historical records or regional usage. As a patronymic name, Pauwels arose from the practice of deriving a family name from a father’s given name, a pattern seen across many Dutch-speaking regions.

Geographically, Pauwels is most prevalent in Belgium and the Netherlands, particularly among Flemish populations in Belgium and Dutch-speaking communities in the Netherlands. Through migration and diaspora, the name is also found in other parts of Europe and in North America, where it may adopt local spellings or pronunciations.

As a cultural marker, Pauwels appears in historical documents, genealogical records, and contemporary name usage across public, professional, and academic contexts. The surname reflects long-standing Dutch-Flemish naming traditions and the broader European pattern of patronymic surname formation.