Some of the French surnames are patronymic surnames, which are derived from the fathers given name. This is a topographic name for someone who lived by the bank of a river. One Harris branch in Essex, dating back to the 1500's, claimed to derive their surname from the French le herisse. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in more. Remember that prior to the French revolution, France was divided up into provinces, and after 1789 the regional divisions were called departments. Derived from the Old French name Theobald, Thibaut means brave or bold. This occupational surname from the word ferror that refers to an iron worker. Descriptive names were names that described the first person to take them. The most common name in Geneva is Favre, French for blacksmith. Pronounced as LAM-brt, this common French surname stands for land. This French surname derived from someone who lived by a granary. It could be a topographic name for a person living near a group of Aspen trees. This could also be a topographic name which means an area with plants or shrubbery. Known for: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear. Renaud Gagneux was a notable French composer. The old French word pacquet means a bundle of kindling. The third origin is from the word vervelle, which metal keeper. In canton Vaud the most frequent surname is Rochat, a diminutive of the French word for rock ( roche ). A topographical reference to a family who lived in an area with roses. Petit Unsurprisingly, this surname means. Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. In France, the Breguet family included renowned watchmakers, businessmen, and innovators. Find your French last name from A to Z. Along with Emma and Elisa, other French girl names from France's Top 100 list of 1900 include Estelle, Eva, Zelia, Sidonie, Clarisse, Lucile, Celina, and milie. Derived from the word plentive meaning planter of wines, this surname could also be a topographic name for an area with plants or shrubbery. Shikha is a writer-turned-associate editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Richelieu in French stands for wealthy place. Also known as Le Cerf, this French surname means hart or deer. Parenting.Firstcry.com accepts no liability for any errors, omissions or misrepresentations. It may have been used as a nickname for someone with a beautiful or remarkable face. This name is derived from the old French plural of val which means valley. This comprehensive list of the most common French surnames to rich French last names is quite appealing and can help you trace back the lines of your family history. # 7. A simpler spelling option is Aloys. Ultimately the name is derived from Matthew, a biblical name that means "gift of God" in Hebrew. describes the areas in which the names originated and where they were found in the 1800s. The meaning of this name is the one who follows. Townsend - someone who lived on the edge of town Cruikshank - someone with crooked legs Moody - derived from the old English 'modig' meaning brave, bold Tait - cheerful A family with this surname would likely have needle-making in their occupational history. The surname originated from a region in ancient France. The structure of names changed considerably over the nearly 1,500-some years of recorded Japanese history. Charpentier French French cognate of Carpenter, derived from Old French charpentier. Silk-weavers from abroad had settled in England long before 1685. Unsurprisingly, this surname means "small.". It is derived from the old German compound Aedelbeort meaning noble-bright. The meaning of the French word clous is nails. Research tools that many genealogists are familiar with like a national census are not your first step in French research. Their phonetic spelling and pronunciation change depending on the local culture and language. This last name means a cellar or a storeroom. This French surname is derived from the Latin word lupus meaning wolf. A surname used for someone who lived near a church or chapel. Derived from old French cousture meaning seam, this could be an occupational name for a tailor. Derived from old French words belle meaning lovely and feuille meaning leaf. Probably for people living in castles? It means forest. This medieval cultural name refers to a governor, constable, or the warder of a prison. A French Emigre Ancestor. (These official name changes can be found indexed in "L' Archiviste Jrme. This family would likely be strong and determined, as their last name means "enduring. It could be an occupational name for a person who cultivated goats. County of Bigorre. This French surname is derived from the old French word carre, which means square. They may also describe the individual's specific location within a village or town, such as Michel Lglise, who livednext to the church. It is derived from the old French word vaillant, which means sturdy or brave. 4. In old French, chevalier means knight, or horseman or rider. Discover popular names from this . All around the world, last names can be fascinating to learn about and discussespecially since the way a name is pronounced or spelled can give you clues to where it originated. It is derived from the old French name rous, which means red. This habitational surname belongs to various places in northern France. Derived from the Latin word Molina, which means mill, Moulin could be an occupational name for a miller. During the reign of Henry VIII a considerable number of silkworkers, mainly from Rouen,came to Britain. Should you have any concerns about your health, or of that of your baby or child, please consult with This ancient surname derived from an old German name Godino, which means son of God. French "Witches" (14th-16th centuries) On August 9, 1390, two women, Margot de la Barre and Marion la Droiturire, were sentenced by the judges of the Chtelet in Paris to the pillory and then to be burned at the stake.Their case, carefully recorded in the Registre du Chtelet de Paris by the notary Aleaume Cachemare, offers a telling example of the shift in attitudes toward sorcery . The majority of French patronymic and matronymic surnames have no identifying prefix and are direct derivations of the parent's given name, such as August Landry, for "August, son of Landri," or Tomas Robert, for "Tomas, son of Robert." She married a Mr. Wiggerham and they had 4 sons and 4 daughters. This surname could apply to someone whose ancestors lived near a valley. The Valois ruled from 1328 to 1589, with the first line extinct in 1498 succeeded by the house of Valois-Orlans (Louis XII, grandson of Louis, duc d'Orlans, son of Charles V) and on Louis XII's death in 1515 by the house of Valois-Orlans-Angoulme (Franois I, son of Charles, comte d'Angoulme, son of Louis I d'Orlans). Derived from Old German name Waro which originates from Wara meaning protection. This medieval personal name is represented by two Latin names, Remihius, which means rower or oarsman, and Remedius, which means cure. This surname is derived from the old French word raison, which means intellectual faculty. "French Surname Meanings and Origins." And could be a habitational name for someone who lived in a house of planks. She teaches at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. 1. The surname Ace's origin is from a Norman and Old French personal name, Ace, Asse, from Germanic Frankish origin Azzo, Atso, a pet form of personal names containing adal 'noble' as a first element. This occupational surname means craftsman or ironsmith in Old French. This is because voie in French means road. This means right or straight. It is an occupational name for an attendant at a public bathhouse. Behind the Name: French Surnames Basque names are used in the North Basque Country. This unique-sounding French last name means bold or daring. As the French and Dutch version of the name Aloysius, this name is another version of the name Louis. . This family name belongs to the ancient house of Normandy that came into use via the Countship of vreux, France. In old French, Beau means beautiful and champ means field or plain. It means a beautiful sun. It probably refers to a place exposed to the sun. This discontinuity came precisely at that line running from the Camel southwards through St Wenn and Luxulyan to St Blazey. Langlais is a habitational French surname given to people who moved to live in France from England. The surname means the brown or dark skinned one. This could be a habitational surname for a person living near a bridge. This is an occupational name for a gatekeeper or someone who lived by a gate or barrier. Huguenot surnames. Whether youre an author looking to name a character in your novel, or just a regular person looking for a name for your alter-ego, this list would help in choosing the best surnames that would add a dash of a special suave and elegance to your personality. The name meansa beautiful hill, wherein mont means a hill. This French surname is derived from the old French word chaput, which refers to a chopping block that was used to create different shapes. Someone with this last name was likely from a family who lived near a vineyard. This is a diminutive of the French word bon meaning good or attractive. Monet Pronunciation: Mon-ay Meaning: A form of the name Simon, meaning to be heard. With a meaning of "forest," this name typically applied to lumbermen. Also written as Leborgne, this French surname means the one-eyed. This surname is a French form of the Latin name calrus, which means clear, bright or famous. It is a Hebrew name for Passover. French actor and mime artist Marcel Marceau was not only an influential entertainer, but part of the French Resistance during World War II as well. This surname is derived from the old German word marah, which means horse and sclac meaning servant. It could possibly be of Germanic origin. Arlay in French roughly translates to 'meadow'. The French surname Dubois is not only popular in France but in the US as well. The name is derived from a village in Haute-Loire, in the district of Puy.This is derived from the French personal name Oudet, which is a Frenchified form of the Germanic name Odo, which was in turn derived from aud meaning wealth. Abadie derives from the word abadia which means abbey or family chapel. Archambeau Archambeau is a French last name that means "bold" or "daring". Derived from the Old French word froisser, this surname means to break or shatter. Derived from Palourde, this surname means a variety of shelfish. It could be a possible occupational name for a jailkeeper or doorkeeper. Say hola to our list of Spanish last names and check out their meanings. Names Found in Ambleny Registers 1578-1616, by Mari Elspeth nic Bryan Given names and surnames from northern French baptismal records. Dukes of Rohan-Rohan (5 P) Rothschild family (7 C, 138 P) House of Rouergue (16 P) Rouvroy family (1 C, 5 P) S House of Sabl (2 P) House of Sabran (9 P) Saint Omer family (19 P) T Taffin de Givenchy family (5 P) House of Taillefer (10 P) House of Talleyrand-Prigord (1 C, 20 P) House of Le Tellier (1 C, 5 P) The meaning of this surname is of the street. Instead look for vital records, which started in the late 1700s, and military records, many of which go back to the 16th century. Originating from the Latin word Mattaeus, which in turn is derived from the Greek word Matthaios, Matthieu means gift of the Lord. It is also written as Lefevre, Lefeuvre, and Lefebure. 2. This is a variant of the word Abreu, which means a wise counselor. This surname is derived from the Latin word Carbo which means carbon or charcoal. This could be a habitational surname for someone who is from a place called Tard or could have derived from the word Tardif, which means slow. In old French, Marchand means merchant. Discover the Basse family history for the English Origin. This name dates back to Medieval France. ", Check out:- 150 funny dog names- Trendy names A-Z- 250 girl names that start with "S"- 100 boy names that start with "A", naming characters in upcoming novels or screenplays. It could be a nickname for an upright person. Matho. Derived from French word janvier meaning January, this could have originated from a person who was born or baptized in that month. Remy is a medieval personal name that is represented by the Latin name Remihius meaning rower or oarsman and Remedius that means cure. This is a French variant of Jordan, which means one who descends. A derivative of the word Badar, this surname comes from the Occitan word badau, meaning gullible. This is a well-curated list of the traditional French surnames. More common in Italy, DeRose is applicable for a person with a rosy complexion. Vol. A good thought, but we are not so sure. It is derived from the old French word barre, which means obstruction. This could be an occupational name for an official responsible for weighing. Kaplan is derived from the Old Norman French word Caplain. ", This French last name means "a short sword.". The top 50 women's names listed by Scott Smith-Bannister for the 1560s and 1570s follow this trend fairly well. Geographically referring to people living or working in the mountains. Originating from the French word sauve, this surname means safe and terre means land. 2010-2023 Parenting.FirstCry.com. Soon gone in the male line, the Ragg family, who favoured the male name Dennis, was prominent in Stoney Middleton in the 1600s. alone. Originating from the popular Norman name William, this surname means protection or strength. 42. The name is derived from Norman old French word chastelain, which is in turn derived from the Latin word castellum that means a watchtower. Corresponding to someone who lived in a hilly place. It MAY be a variant of Mazelina which can be [1] a female version of the diminutive Mazelin for the Norman given name Mazo or [2] a diminutive for Mathilda [Oxford Dic. Pronunciation clear help? Derived from fauche that means sycthe, Faucher could be an occupational name for a mower. This surname originated from the word Pommeroie, meaning an apple orchard. Others can be based on the particular occupation of an individual or can be geographical or descriptive in nature. An occupational name for someone who collected tolls from travelers. Baine means bath in old French. To form a typical 16th century Scottish Lowland name for a man, choose one given name from Men's Given Names and one surname from . French Naming Practices and The Most Common French Surnames There are four common origins for French surnames. 250 Traditional And Classy French Last Names Or Surnames. 9. Charron French Means "cart" in Old French, used to denote a carter or a cartwright. This very common French last name is a patronymic from Mars, which is also the Roman god of fertility and war. It could also be a habitational name for places near southern and eastern France. A large stone building, known as John French's Chamber, was erected on arches just outside the town walls. This French last name means bundle of kindling. Pronounced as Bwah, the name refers to bush or shrub. Riche means wealthy and lieu means place in French. This occupational name would generally apply to a locksmith. In some cases it may originally have been more that a . In old French, vi(g)ne means vineyard. Derived from an old French word bochier, which means butcher. Originating from the Old French gault and Gaelic gaut, that means forest. It contains Germanic elements wald which means to govern,. Surnames are like bridges, which connect a family's past to the present. It means cheerful or lovely face. The word voie means road or path in French. While working as an intern for an English daily, she realised that she likes writing above anything else. This old French surname has Germanic origin, and means noble. 235 Nice And Beautiful Baby Girl Names With Meanings, 250 Traditional And Classy French Last Names Or Surnames, 147 Unique Baby Names That Mean Fire, For Girls And Boys, 31 Summer Baby Names With Meanings For Girls And Boys, 71 Cute Short Names Or Nicknames For Hannah, With Meanings, 20 Unique Baby Names That Are Inspired By Public Figures, Top 38 Unusual And Eccentric Baby Names For Boys And Girls, 103 Traditional English Girl Names Making A Strong Comeback, 66 Classy And Beautiful Royal Girl Names For Your Baby, 100 Albanian Names For Baby Girls And Boys, 200 Most Popular Hindu God And Goddess Names For Your Baby, 90+ Best And Unique Twin Baby Girl Names In 2022, With Meanings, 100 Popular Scottish Surnames Or Last Names With Meanings, 100 Cool And Cute Baby Names That Mean Bear, 148 Funny Last Names Or Surnames From Across The World, 25 Unusual Mountain Inspired Names For Boys And Girls, 20 Most Beautiful Princess Names For Your Baby Girl, 100 Popular Muslim Last Names Or Surnames With Meanings. After all, whether you have visited France and fell in love with the experience, have French ancestry that you'd like to highlight, or have a soft-spot for all things Frenchmusic, film, culture, language, etc., there are many reasons why French surnames could make their way onto your own baby name or pet name list. It is an occupational surname for corn merchant. This name is derived from the name of a plant known as vrilles (tendril). Derived from the old French word gagnier, Ganeux means to farm or cultivate. Some 16th Century Parisian Male French Names, by Chrestienne la pescheresse A collection of masculine names from 1561 and 1583. In old French, the word champs means of the field. Jacques is a popular name which is used both as a surname and as a first name. Originating from the Greek word paidion, Page is an occupational surname for a little boy. Derived from the old French word gainer which means to cultivate or work. . Derived from the old French word quarrel which means bolt for crossbow, Carrel could be an occupational name for a maker of crossbow bolts. Garnier is a modern version of the Old French words gerner or gernier. This made it easier to trace family history, as all name changes were recorded. 2. Famous Authors of the 1500s to 1700s. This occupational surname refers to someone who minds cattle at night. The second origin is as a habitational name that comes from the southern French town of Auch. Derived from the French word vanier, Vannier refers to someone who does winnowing. Some names are obviously French, but others were misrecorded, such as the Chataigne family in Wandsworth who became the Chattings. This name could refer to a short person or someone of humble origins. This surname is derived from the French word chevre which means goat. It could also be an occupational name for a watchman. In the 1500s the Cornish-speaking west had a considerably higher number of locative surnames than did the east. This is a surname for a shoemaker or a cobbler. Napoleon was born in Corsica, soon after the annexation of the island. Cellier is pronounced as Sell-yer. Derived from the French word "blanc," which means "white.". Shakespeare, known as the "Bard of Avon," is one of the best known English writers in history. This is a topographic surname for someone who lived by an ash tree or by an ash wood. This classic name is derived from the word which means powerful and hard meaning brave or strong. Tous means all, and saint means saints. France is a country of beautiful landmarks, world-class art and architecture, and splendid museums. This French surname is from Languedoc, and means an army ruler. In that month German compound Aedelbeort meaning noble-bright ) ne means vineyard the.! 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Of planks french surnames 1500s France who moved to live in France, the word champs means of Everything! Classic name is derived from the old Norman French word pacquet means a variety of shelfish living near group.: a form of the name Simon, meaning an apple orchard to break or.! Who follows means mill, Moulin could be an occupational name for an person.