NomOrigine Background

Last Name Vandevelde

What is the origin of the last name Vandevelde?

The surname "Vandevelde" is of Dutch and Flemish origin. It translates to "from the Devil's valley," referring to a place named De Duivelste Kerke or De Dijvelduin in the Netherlands and Flanders respectively. This name was often given to individuals who lived near such places, implying that they came from an unattractive location, similar to other geographically-based surnames like Hill, Wood, or Field.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Vandevelde

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vandevelde

The meaning and origin of the last name Vandevelde

The surname Vandevelde originates from Belgium, particularly in the Flemish region where it was initially used as a given name, van de Velde or "from the field". Over time, it became a hereditary surname, indicating the family's ancestral home was located near a field. This name is common among the Flemish people who trace their roots back to medieval Europe. The name has been recorded in various spellings such as Van De Velde, Vandeveldt, and Vandevelde, reflecting the phonetic variations common during the Middle Ages. It is important to note that surnames became widely used in Europe during the High Middle Ages, from the 10th to 13th centuries, as part of a process to distinguish individuals within communities. This practice eventually led to the system of hereditary surnames we use today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vandevelde

The surname Vandevelde is primarily distributed across Belgium and the Netherlands, with significant concentrations in both countries' Flanders region, which is the Dutch-speaking part. This region includes present-day Belgium and parts of the Dutch provinces of North Brabant, Zeeland, and Limburg. The name is also found in smaller numbers in France, particularly in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region bordering Flanders. Additionally, the Vandevelde family has diaspora communities in North America, primarily in Canada and the United States, especially in states like Michigan and Illinois, where Belgian immigration was significant in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vandevelde

The surname Vandevelde has several variations and spellings. Some common versions include: Van de Velde, Van de Veldeck, Van de Veldt, Van de Veldew, Van del Velde, and Van der Velde. These variations often result from differences in the region or time period in which the name was recorded. For example, "Van" is a Dutch prefix meaning "of," and is typically used when the first name starts with a vowel. In some cases, the spelling may change over time due to errors during transcription or recording. It's also possible for individuals to choose their own variation of the name based on personal preference. Despite these variations, all versions of Vandevelde are derived from the original Belgian Dutch name, which translates roughly to "of the field" in English.

Famous people with the last name Vandevelde

The Vandevelde family has produced notable individuals across various fields. In the realm of sports, Dirk Vandevelde is renowned as a retired professional soccer player who played for clubs such as Standard Liège and Anderlecht in Belgium. He also represented the Belgian national team in multiple competitions, including the 2002 World Cup. In the world of art, Belgian painter James Ensor, born Jozef-Vincent Vandevelde, is a pivotal figure in the Symbolist movement. His works are celebrated for their dark humor and social commentary, with pieces like "Christ's Entry into Brussels" and "The Wontervijslaar" being among his most recognized creations. Lastly, American actress Cynthia Vandevelde, best known for her roles in films such as "Escape from New York," "Purple Rain," and "The Terminator," has also contributed to the entertainment industry. These individuals exemplify the diverse accomplishments that can stem from the Vandevelde surname.

Genealogical research on the last name Vandevelde

The Vandevelde surname originates from the Low Countries, primarily present-day Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a variant of the more common Van der Velde, which translates to "from the field" in Dutch. The earliest records trace back to the late Middle Ages, with one recorded instance in Flanders in 1250.

The Vandeveldes were primarily associated with the region of West Flanders, where they were landowners and artisans. Some notable figures bearing this surname include the Flemish painter Jan van Velde (1634-1691) and the Dutch politician Willem Arnoldus Johannes van de Velde (1808-1867).

During the 17th and 18th centuries, many Vandeveldes emigrated to France, England, and the American colonies in search of religious freedom or economic opportunities. Today, the surname is widespread across North America, Western Europe, and Australia, with notable communities in California, Michigan, Quebec, and the Netherlands.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Van (Last name)

surnames > van

The last name "van" has Dutch origins. In Dutch, "van" means "from" or "of," and it is used as a preposition in surnames to indicate a person's origin or ancestral location. The us...

Van aarde (Last name)

surnames > van-aarde

The surname Van Aarde is of Dutch origin, specifically from the Netherlands. It is a locational surname, meaning it originally denoted someone who lived near a specific geographica...

Van accoleyen (Last name)

surnames > van-accoleyen

The last name "van accoleyen" is likely of Dutch or Flemish origin. The "van" in the surname typically indicates a connection to a specific place, while "accoleyen" could be a vari...

Van acks (Last name)

surnames > van-acks

The last name "van Acks" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname indicating a person's association with a particular place or region named Acks. The prefix "van" in Dutch sur...

Van acoleyen (Last name)

surnames > van-acoleyen

The last name "van Acoleyen" is of Dutch origin and is derived from the personal name "Achille", which itself comes from the Greek name "Achilles". The prefix "van" in Dutch surnam...

Van akin (Last name)

surnames > van-akin

The last name Van Akin is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from the region of Aken in the Netherlands, meaning "from Aken." It is likely that the original bearer ...

Van anh (Last name)

surnames > van-anh

The surname "van Anh" is of Vietnamese origin. It is common in Vietnam and typically indicates a familial or ancestral connection to the Van Anh family or lineage.

Van as (Last name)

surnames > van-as

The last name "van As" is a Dutch surname which means "from the ash tree." It is a common surname in the Netherlands and is derived from the location or characteristics of an ash t...

Van asare (Last name)

surnames > van-asare

The last name "Van Asare" is of Dutch origin. "Van" means "from" or "of" in Dutch, indicating that the family may have originated from a place named Asare.

Van asperen (Last name)

surnames > van-asperen

The last name "van Asperen" is a Dutch surname of toponymic origin, meaning it is derived from a place name. In this case, it likely originally referred to someone who came from th...

Van bac (Last name)

surnames > van-bac

The last name Van Bac is of Vietnamese origin. It is a common surname in Vietnam, derived from the Vietnamese word "bạc" which means "silver."

Van bakergem (Last name)

surnames > van-bakergem

The last name "Van Bakergem" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from the word "bakker" meaning "baker" and "gem" meaning "village" or "home." This surname likely...

Van belkum (Last name)

surnames > van-belkum

The last name "van Belkum" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname, derived from the place name Belkum, which is a village in the Netherlands. The prefix "van" indicates that...

Van bentum (Last name)

surnames > van-bentum

The last name "van Bentum" is of Dutch origin. It is a toponymic surname that indicates a person who hailed from a place called Bentum or a similar-sounding location in the Netherl...

Van bergen (Last name)

surnames > van-bergen

The last name Van Bergen is of Dutch origin. "Van" is a prefix in Dutch surnames that means "from" or "of", while "Bergen" means "mountains" in Dutch. Therefore, the surname Van Be...