Vermeulen

Vermeulen is a Dutch-language surname that is widespread in the Netherlands and in the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. It is typically categorized as a toponymic or occupational name, most often interpreted as referring to a person connected with a mill, such as a resident near a mill or a miller by trade. Over time the name has acquired several spelling variants, including Vermeule, and it is found in Dutch- and French-speaking communities due to historical migration and cultural exchange.

In genealogical records, Vermeulen appears from early modern periods, with concentrations in both urban and rural areas of Flanders and Holland. The name has spread globally through migration and colonial-era settlement, and today it is common among the Dutch and Belgian diaspora in South Africa, North America, Australia, and parts of the Caribbean.

Notable bearers have contributed across fields such as sports, arts, academia, and public life, reflecting the surname’s broad geographic distribution. As with many Dutch toponymic surnames, the form Vermeulen remains prevalent among families across generations, even as branches migrate and integrate into new languages and cultures. In contemporary use, Vermeulen remains a recognizable marker of Dutch-language heritage.