Surname Vogelaar - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Vogelaar: What does the surname Vogelaar mean?
The last name Vogelaar is of Dutch or German origin, and is derived from the Dutch/German words “vogel” meaning "bird" and “aar” meaning "grove". The combination of the two words translates roughly to “grove of birds”.
The meaning of Vogelaar seems to be linked to either the love for nature and wildlife, or a successful bird hunting hobby. As such, the name could represent a person or a family with respect for the environment and nature, albeit it comes from a bygone era.
Notably, Vogelaar is a rather rare last name, as the combined name itself does not appear to have ever been used widely as a surname outside of the Netherlands. Its low occurrence among non-Dutch populations suggest that the name is a result of Dutch immigration. This could have taken place either within the Netherlands (moving from one region of the country to another, for example), or to another country.
Vogelaar appears in a few records from the Netherlands and small bits and pieces elsewhere in western Europe. For example, some trace it back to Holstein, Germany.
It is possible that, at one point, the Vogelaar family had a more influential position in society, as names with bird-related meanings (such as Vogelaar) usually represented noble or wealthy families who managed large properties with rich flocks of birds. Such a position was usually a mark of status in medieval Europe.
Despite its rather rare occurrence, it seems that the name Vogelaar is seen among many generations, suggesting many people share the same origins. To this day, chances are the family has still maintained its roots in the Netherlands.
Order DNA origin analysisVogelaar: Where does the name Vogelaar come from?
The last name Vogelaar is most common today in the Netherlands. According to a 2018 survey, the last name has about 4,900 bearers in the Netherlands. It has been suggested that the name is derived from the region Volgenaar and may have originally been a patronymic. The name is generally related to farming and agriculture, as the historically rural nature of the Netherlands has generally meant that this is the most common way for families to make their living.
The names's spread within the Netherlands is not equal, however. The area with the highest concentration of Vogelaars is in the eastern part of the country. This is an area historically associated with many different trades, such as fishing and shipping, but today the name is often linked to farming and agriculture.
Outside of the Netherlands, the name is far less common. There are a few bearers in Belgium and other parts of Europe, however, due to the historically close ties between the Netherlands and many parts of Europe, it is possible that some of these bearers are descendants of families who originally moved to the Netherlands from other parts of Europe.
The name is relatively uncommon in the United States, where there are only a few bearers. It is likely that they are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants who came to the United States from the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Vogelaar
The surname Vogelaar is most commonly spelled Vogelaar, but there are other variations of the name. Vogelaars, Vogelers, Vogelaars and Vogleers are all accepted spellings of the same base surname.
At its root, Vogelaar can accurately be traced back to Dutch origins. This means that all variants of the name stem from the Dutch terms for "bird," such as vogel or vugel. As a result, some of the earliest forms of the surname included Vogeler and Vogelar.
Although it’s difficult to trace the exact origin of the name, some records show that Vogelaar was first used as a surname as early as 1245 in Amsterdam. Over time, the spelling has evolved, and there are now various forms of the name found throughout Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, France and Germany.
In some cases, the name has adapted according to the local language. For example, in France, the name has been spelled Vogleur and Vogelair, and in Germany, the name has been spelled Vogeler and Vogeler.
Given this variety in spelling and its presence in multiple countries, it is likely that Vogelaar (and related surnames) can be found in many other places, as well. It is also likely that Vogelaar can be found in other languages and spellings. For example, in Spanish-speaking countries, the name could likely appear as Vogelar or Vogelear.
Famous people with the name Vogelaar
- Wouter Vogelaar: a Dutch football player who currently plays for Real Zaragoza.
- Pieter Vogelaar: a former Dutch gymnast who won a bronze medal in the men's individual all-around event at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
- Jannette Vogelaar: a Dutch actress, best known for her role as Marleen Zwaan in the soap opera Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden.
- Douwe Vogelaar: a Dutch journalist, film director, and screenwriter.
- Caroline Vogelaar: a Dutch politician who currently serves as a Member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands.
- Monique Vogelaar: a Dutch visual artist and sculptor.
- Annemarie Vogelaar: a Dutch businesswoman and politician who served as minister for housing, spatial planning and the environment in the Third Balkenende cabinet.
- Gabriella Vogelaar: a Dutch singer, songwriter, and record producer.
- Floor Vogelaar: a Dutch television presenter and journalist.
- Andries Vogelaar: a Dutch football player who currently plays for the Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.