uyl

Uyl is a surname of Dutch origin that occurs in the Netherlands and among communities with Dutch ancestry. It also appears as the base or root in longer Dutch surnames, notably in compound forms such as den Uyl, a pattern common in Dutch naming traditions.

Etymology and origins are not definitively established. The name is frequently linked to the Dutch word uil, meaning owl, and may have started as a nickname for a watchful or nocturnal person, or it could reflect a toponymic origin associated with places named with uil. As with many Dutch surnames, regional spelling variations and the use of articles in compound forms have influenced how Uyl appears in records.

Distribution and usage. The name is relatively uncommon and is concentrated in the Netherlands, with smaller numbers in neighboring regions and among the Dutch diaspora. The compound surname den Uyl is a distinct but related form, representing a naming convention in which the definite article accompanies the base element.

Notable people. Joop den Uyl (1919–1987) is the most prominent figure associated with the den Uyl surname, having served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1973 to 1977. Beyond this, individuals bearing Uyl or its variants have contributed to fields such as academia, arts, and local politics, reflecting the surname’s continued presence in Dutch-speaking communities.