Verhoeven

Verhoeven is a Dutch surname of toponymic origin, derived from the word hoeve meaning a farm or farmstead. The form with the prefix ver- indicates origin from a place associated with a farm, and the name has several related spellings and variants, including Verhoef. The surname is most common in the Netherlands and Belgium and, while concentrated in Dutch-speaking regions, has spread internationally through migration.

Notable people with the surname include Paul Verhoeven (born 1938), a prominent Dutch film director and screenwriter known for both European cinema and Hollywood productions such as RoboCop, Basic Instinct, and Elle. Other individuals bearing the name have gained recognition in various fields, including sports, academia, and public life, particularly in Dutch-speaking communities.