Surname Vrielink - Meaning and Origin

Vrielink: What does the surname Vrielink mean?

The surname Vrielink is of Dutch origin. It is derived from a Dutch word meaning “little narrow stream, creek”. The Vrielink surname was believed to have been found mainly in the Gelderland region of the Netherlands, where it was an occupational surname for someone who worked in or near a small stream.

The Vrielink surname is thought to have originated in the Netherlands in the 1600s, when surnames began to become more popular. As the Netherlands were a seafaring nation, many people would have gone to foreign countries and carried their surnames with them. This is believed to have been the source of the Vrielink surname in other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

Today, people with the Vrielink surname are found mainly in the Netherlands and the United States. This is likely due to the large population of Dutch immigrants who settled in these countries. In the United States, there are an estimated 800 people who bear this surname.

The surname Vrielink is a unique one, as it is derived from a Dutch word and carries with it over 400 years of history. People with the Vrielink name often take pride in their heritage, as it symbolizes their connection to a home far away.

Vrielink: Where does the name Vrielink come from?

The last name Vrielink is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany. It is a Dutch patronymic surname meaning "son of Vrielinck". The name Vrielinck is derived from the Germanic personal name Vrigilinc, a combination of the elements Frige which means “frighten” and linc which means “light” or “bearer”.

The surname has spread around the world, however remains most popular in the Netherlands. Dutch immigration to North America in the 17th and 18th centuries has helped spread the name Vrielink throughout the United States and Canada. There are currently approximately 600 people living in the United States bearing the last name Vrielink according to data from the US Census Bureau. The largest concentration of the name can be found throughout the Netherlands, with a significant population living in Germany’s Emsland region.

The name Vrielink has left its mark throughout history and includes the Dutch Explorer, Michiel de Vrielink, who sailed to Cape Town with the Dutch East India Company in 1705. The Dutch physician and author, Gerlof Vrielink, was also a notable bearer of the name.

Overall, the last name Vrielink is still seen in the Netherlands and Germany where it remains popular. In other countries, the name appears only in small numbers.

Variations of the surname Vrielink

The surname Vrielink can be spelled in many different varieties. One of the most common variations is Vrielinck. This spelling is used throughout the Netherlands. Other variants of Vrielink include Vrielincx, Vrielynck, Vrielincks, Vrielincksen, Vrilenk, Vrigancko, Vrielinken, Vrielinx, Vrielincksz, Vrielincx, and Vrielyncks.

Vrielink is also a patronymic surname. This means it is derived from the first name of the father, in this case 'Vriend'. The variant spellings of Vrielink with a 'V' instead of the 'Vr', such as Vllanink, Vllinck, and Vghrylynck, are all derived from this patronymic origin.

The surname Vrielink is derived from Low German, with the elements "vri" meaning "free" and "link" meaning "linear, long, and narrow". This corresponds to the English word 'link' and is related to the English word 'long'. Indeed, some variants such as Vrilyncx and Vlanlyncx may be derived from a combination of the Low German word for "free," plus the English word "link".

Vrielink is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, but there are also some families of this name in France, Switzerland, and the United States. In the United States, the variant spelling Vrilenk is most common.

Although the spelling of the surname Vrielink varies based on region and language, the origin remains the same. Whether the spelling is Vrielink, Vrielincx, or Vrielinck, the surname is derived from a combination of Low German and English; meaning "free link".

Famous people with the name Vrielink

• Reinier Vrielink: 2-time Netherlands national wheelchair basketball champion.
• Theo Vrielink: Dutch politician, Member of Parliament and Labour Party leader.
• Pieter Vrielink: Dutch soccer manager.
• Wil Vrielink: Dutch basketball player who has won two European championships
• Cor Vrielink: Dutch actor and television host.
• Wout Vrielink: retired Dutch footballer who played for Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar.
• Marleen Vrielink: Dutch ice skating champion in 1979.
• Floris Vrielink: Dutch entrepreneur and former professional volleyball player.
• Tjeu ( Tie) Vrielink: Retired Dutch wrestler.
• Trainer Dick Vrielink: Dutch Flag Football coach at Flag Football Organization.
• Smart Vrielink: Dutch Boxtel born artist specializing in painting and sculpting.

Other surnames

Vrieling