NomOrigine Background

Last Name Vuillemin

What is the origin of the last name Vuillemin?

The surname Vuillemin is of French origin. It is derived from a personal name composed of the Old French elements "vile" meaning "town" and "haim" meaning "home". This name was likely originally a nickname for someone who came from or lived in a town, or it could have been used as a metonymic occupational name for a resident of a certain town. The name was first found in the regions of Franche-Comté and Burgundy, but it later spread throughout France and beyond due to migration and historical events.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vuillemin

The meaning and origin of the last name Vuillemin

The surname Vuillemin is of French origin, derived from the Old French "vilemain" which means "from the small field." It is a toponymic name that refers to someone who lived near a small farm or field. Over time, the spelling has evolved from vilemain to Vuillemin due to various factors such as scribal errors, regional dialects, and assimilation of sounds during migration. The surname Vuillemin is primarily found in France but has also spread worldwide due to historical events like the French Revolution and colonial expansion.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vuillemin

The surname Vuillemin is primarily concentrated in French-speaking regions, with a significant number of bearers residing in France. It originates from the Old French word "villan" or "villemin," meaning "inhabitant of a village." Historically, many inhabitants of rural areas in France took occupational names based on their profession or place of residence. In modern times, Vuillemin has also been found among the French diaspora in various parts of the world, particularly in Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and the United States, due to migration waves over centuries. Additionally, there are also bearers of this surname in other European countries, such as Germany, Italy, and Spain, likely owing to historical ties or migrations with France.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vuillemin

The surname Vuillemin has several variants and spellings due to historical and regional differences in transcription. Some common versions include:

1. Vuillermin - This is one of the French variations, with 'i' replaced by 'e'.
2. Villermin - Another French variation where 'ui' becomes 'il'.
3. Villemin - A simplified form that replaces the first 'l' with a single 'l', still maintaining its French origin.
4. Villemyn, Villamyn - These are possible Anglicized versions of the surname, derived from French immigrants to English-speaking countries.
5. Villemain - A variant seen in Belgium and parts of France, where the final 'n' is pronounced as 'm'.
6. Vuillamine - A rare variation that adds an extra 'e' at the end of the surname.
7. Vuilleman - Another spelling that replaces the final 'n' with a 'm'.
8. Voilmin, Vollmin, Vollemine - These could be phonetic variations from different regions or countries where the surname was adopted by people speaking other languages.

Famous people with the last name Vuillemin

Notable individuals with the surname Vuillemin include:

1. Michel Vuillemin (1932-2017), a French philosopher known for his work on phenomenology and ethics. He was a professor at the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.

2. Pierre Vuillemin (born 1946), a French mathematician who made significant contributions to algebraic geometry, particularly in the field of schemes. He is a member of the French Academy of Sciences.

3. Jean-Paul Vuillemin (born 1952), a French politician and former Minister of Agriculture under President François Mitterrand from 1988 to 1991.

4. Philippe Vuillemin (born 1967), a French professional cyclist who won the Paris-Tours race in 1994. He was also a two-time Tour de France stage winner.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, leaving lasting impacts in philosophy, mathematics, politics, and sports.

Genealogical research on the last name Vuillemin

The surname Vuillemin originates from France and is derived from the Old French word "villemain," meaning "village-dweller." It is believed to have been first recorded as "de Vilainmein" in Normandy during the 13th century. Throughout history, notable figures bearing the name Vuillemin have emerged, including Jean Vuillemin (1796-1878), a French mathematician who made significant contributions to analysis and algebra; and Georges Vuillemin (1920-2013), a French philosopher and author. The surname has also been found in Switzerland, Belgium, and other parts of Europe due to migration patterns over the centuries. Today, individuals with the last name Vuillemin can be found worldwide, with significant populations in France, Canada, the United States, and Switzerland.

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 : 28 July 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

Vuia (Last name)

surnames > vuia

The last name "Vuia" is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the word "viu" which means "lively" or "alive" in Romanian.

Vuignier (Last name)

surnames > vuignier

The surname Vuignier is a French patronymic name derived from the Old French word "vugin", meaning "vineyard". It was originally given as an occupational name to someone who worked...

Vuillaume (Last name)

surnames > vuillaume

The surname "Vuillaume" is of French origin. It is a fairly common family name in France, mainly in the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region. The origin of the surname "Vuillaume" dates...

Vuillemey (Last name)

surnames > vuillemey

The surname Vuillemey is of French origin. It is derived from a given name, which was originally a diminutive form of the name Guillaume, meaning "will" or "desire" and "helmet" re...

Vuilleminey (Last name)

surnames > vuilleminey

The surname Vuilleminey is believed to be of French origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from various locations named Vuillermet, Vullierens, or Villers-l'Équipe ...

Vuillemot (Last name)

surnames > vuillemot

The last name Vuillemot is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "vile" meaning "village" and the French suffix "mot" meaning "word" or "speech." Vuillemot is be...

Vuillermoz (Last name)

surnames > vuillermoz

The surname Vuillermoz is of French origin, derived from various places named Vuille or Vuiller in France. These place names are associated with the Old High German word "wili" mea...

Vuillomet vaux (Last name)

surnames > vuillomet-vaux

The last name "Vuillomet Vaux" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "veau" meaning "calf" or "young cow." This surname likely originated as a descriptive nam...

Vuitek (Last name)

surnames > vuitek

The surname Vuitek is of Slovak origin. It derives from a nickname meaning "little fox" or "vivacious," derived from the Slovak word "vituška." Nicknames often formed an important...

Vuitik (Last name)

surnames > vuitik

The surname "Vuitik" appears to have Dutch origins. It is likely derived from the Dutch word "wittek," which means "white" in English.