NameCensus.

UK surname

Vermeulen

Of Dutch origin, an occupational surname meaning "miller" or someone involved with a windmill or mill.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Vermeulen surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 277, ranked #15,619, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Shropshire and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vermeulen is 284 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3857.1%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

277

2016, ranked #15,619

Peak year

2013

284 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vermeulen had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 277 in 2016, ranked #15,619.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Vermeulen surname distribution map

The map shows where the Vermeulen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Vermeulen surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vermeulen over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 138 #22,227
1998 modern 144 #22,221
1999 modern 155 #21,375
2000 modern 156 #21,235
2001 modern 157 #20,884
2002 modern 181 #19,463
2003 modern 186 #18,928
2004 modern 210 #17,644
2005 modern 224 #16,876
2006 modern 238 #16,288
2007 modern 243 #16,243
2008 modern 251 #16,026
2009 modern 262 #15,888
2010 modern 279 #15,529
2011 modern 268 #15,843
2012 modern 281 #15,198
2013 modern 284 #15,358
2014 modern 283 #15,495
2015 modern 279 #15,527
2016 modern 277 #15,619

Geography

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Where Vermeulens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Camden, Shropshire, Southwark, Hillingdon and Bournemouth. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Camden 023 Camden
2 Shropshire 004 Shropshire
3 Southwark 008 Southwark
4 Hillingdon 018 Hillingdon
5 Bournemouth 021 Bournemouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vermeulen

These lists show first names that appear often with the Vermeulen surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vermeulen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Vermeulen, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Vermeulen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Vermeulen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Vermeulen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Vermeulen is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Vermeulen falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Vermeulen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Vermeulen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Vermeulen

The surname Vermeulen is of Dutch origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Dutch words "ver" meaning "far" and "meulen" meaning "mill". The name likely referred to someone who lived or worked at a mill located at a distance from the main town or village.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Vermeulen can be found in the archives of the city of Utrecht, Netherlands, where a certain Jan Vermeulen is mentioned in a document dated 1382. The name also appears in records from the 15th century in the region of Flanders, which was then part of the Burgundian Netherlands.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Vermeulen was Cornelis Vermeulen (1512-1584), a Dutch Catholic priest and theologian who played a role in the Council of Trent. Another prominent individual from this time period was Adriaen Vermeulen (1550-1625), a Flemish painter known for his landscape and seascape paintings.

In the 17th century, the Vermeulen surname gained prominence with the birth of Andries Vermeulen (1639-1686), a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his still life paintings of flowers and fruit. Another notable bearer of the name was Cornelis Vermeulen (1644-1708), a Dutch cartographer and engraver who created several important maps and charts of the Netherlands.

The 18th century saw the rise of Jan Vermeulen (1720-1793), a Dutch politician and jurist who served as the Mayor of Rotterdam. Another significant figure was Pieter Vermeulen (1763-1835), a Dutch military officer who played a role in the Napoleonic Wars and later served as the Governor of the Dutch East Indies.

In the 19th century, one of the most notable individuals with the surname Vermeulen was August Vermeulen (1856-1925), a Belgian sculptor and artist best known for his monumental works and public statues.

Throughout its history, the Vermeulen surname has been associated with various professions, from artists and politicians to religious figures and military personnel, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who bore this name originating from the Dutch-speaking regions of Europe.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vermeulen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vermeulen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 5 Vermeulens recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.35x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 5 7.35x
Kent 1 4.31x
Lancashire 1 1.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Hanover in Middlesex leads with 5 Vermeulens recorded in 1881 and an index of 561.80x.

Place Total Index
St George Hanover 5 561.80x
Blackley 1 714.29x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 454.55x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Vermeulen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 2

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Vermeulen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Alexander 1
Charles 1
Michel 1
Peter 1
Robert 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Vermeulen households.

FAQ

Vermeulen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vermeulen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Vermeulen surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vermeulen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 277 in 2016. That gives Vermeulen a modern rank of #15,619.

What does the Vermeulen surname mean?

Of Dutch origin, an occupational surname meaning "miller" or someone involved with a windmill or mill.

What does the Vermeulen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Vermeulen bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.