Surname Viel - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My Ancestral Journey: Discovering The Origins And History Of The Surname Viel With The iGENEA DNA Test

Inviting the past to illuminate the present, I ventured into a journey of self-exploration by taking an iGENEA DNA test. I discovered an enriching narrative stirring through vast periods and regions as I traced the historical and cultural backstory surrounding my surname, Viel. A word of French origin, the surname Viel uncovers a unique tapestry of connections to the inhabitants of Western Europe, mayhaps, even the Celts, unfolding a fascinating blend of history and genealogy.

H. Viel

Viel: What does the surname Viel mean?

The surname Viel is of French origin and it means "much" or "many". It is often assumed to be a nickname for a person who had a large family, owned a lot of property, or had accomplished much in life. Like many surnames, it was likely used to differentiate individuals with the same first name in a particular area. It is worth noting that the meaning of surnames can vary based on regional dialects and historical contexts, so the interpretation can differ. However, the commonly accepted meaning of Viel is "much" or "many" in the context of quantity or abundance.

Viel: Where does the name Viel come from?

The last name Viel is most commonly found in France. In the 2018 census, nearly 9,800 French citizens reported having the last name Viel. While the largest concentration is in the Paris metropolitan area, the last name Viel has solid representation throughout the country. Additionally, the name can be found in many countries in Europe, including Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

The name has also been established in Quebec, Canada, as well as the United States. Communities with sizable numbers of people with the last name Viel can be found in states such as Illinois, California, and Michigan. Smaller numbers are found in other states, particularly in the Midwest and East Coast.

The origin of the name Viel is believed to be French from the providence of Poitou in western France. It’s thought to be derived from the Latin Phillicius, which is a Roman but possibly also a Germanic personal name. The name Viel is related to the words vel and veli, both of which refer to a “plain, open stretch of land.”

No matter where found, the last name Viel is a reminder of the family’s French origins.

Variations of the surname Viel

The surname Viel, which originates from France, has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname Viel is Vielle, which has French and German origins and is derived from the Latin word villus, meaning “small village”. In addition, Vielle can also be spelled Vieles, Veille, Veilles, Veylle, Veyles and Veill.

The variations of Viel can be seen in other countries as well. In Spain, the surname Viel can also be spelled Vial or Vel. In Portugal, the surname Viel can take on the variant Viell. In Italy, the surname Viel can be found as Vieli or Vello. In Germany the surname Viel can be found as Veiel or Viehl.

Other surnames of the same origin as Viel include Vielbauer, Vielhauer, Vielman, Vielmann, Vielmoir, Vielmond, Vieln, Vielpohl, Viellard, Viellardé and Viellart.

In general, many of the variants and spellings of Viel have an alternately spelled final letter, usually either ‘e’ or ‘l’. Some of these names also contain a double ‘l’ at the end, which may have been added to make it phonetically easier to pronounce.

Famous people with the name Viel

• Chantal Viel, French actress.
• Miray Viel, French-Italian actress.
• Pascal Viel, French sculptor.
• Jean Viel, French military officer, member of the French Legion of Honor.
• Maurice Viel, French actor.
• Yoshiko Viel, Japanese fashion designer and the first female recipient of the Deshima Art Award.
• Stéphane Viel, French arranger and songwriter.
• Chihiro Viel, Japanese singer and songwriter.
• Serge Viel, French singer and actor.
• Jean-Pierre Viel, French artist and sculptor.
• Franck Viel, French architect and artist.
• Benoît Viel, French biochemist.
• Arthur Viel, French journalist, author, and lyricist.
• Laurent Viel, French film and television director.
• Michel Viel, French pharmaceutical chemist and acrobat.
• Philippe Viel, French editorial photographer.
• Erwan Viel, French composer and music producer.
• Damien Viel, French photographer, and film director.
• Théo Viel, French poet and philosopher.
• Chrystel Viel, French sculptor, painter, and graphic artist.

Other surnames

ViebacherViebeckViebegViebigVieböckViebrandtViebrantzViebranzViechtelViechterViechtlVieckViedlerViedtsViefhausViefhuesViehbacherViehbeckViehböckViehwegViehwegerViekVielandVieleViellechnerViellehnerVielsack