use of this site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use. Abadie derives from the word abadia which means abbey or family chapel. This name is derived from the nickname given to a person who is light-hearted and joyful. In 1474, under a decree passed by the king of France, all changes to last names had to be first approved by him. French film director Franois Truffaut was one of the founders of the French New Wave movement. She has written articles on pregnancy, parenting, and relationships. 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 . This aristocratic-vibed French surname means mountain. This classic name is derived from the word which means powerful and hard meaning brave or strong. . Derived from the French word porchier meaning swineherd, this could be an occupational name for someone who rears pigs. Literally, the . The word "surname" actually derives from the French surnom, derived from sur ("above" or "over") and nom ("name"). This could be a habitual name for someone living in Picard. Discover popular names from this . Derived from the word gwen, Gouin means light or fair. This surname was first used in Auvergne, which is a place in ancient France. In French, the words leclerc means the clerk. It could have also originated from from the words vert meaning green and ville meaning town. This Anglo-Norman French word has an aboriginal origin. In old French, this name translates to from the marsh. 2010-2023 Parenting.FirstCry.com. Avariant form of Jaubert, Joubert originates from the central west and centre south regions of France. RELATED: 140+ Popular Mexican Baby Names That Honor The Country's Rich History. The name is used for wheelwrights or people who live near a water wheel. French singer, actress, and model, Brigitte Bardot, is, by far, one of the most famous individuals with this surname. https://www.thoughtco.com/french-surname-meanings-and-origins-1420788 (accessed January 18, 2023). Some French occupational surnames include: Berger shepherd Bisset weaver Boucher butcher Brodeur embroiderer Caron cartwright Charpentier carpenter Chevrolet goat farmer Couture tailor Fabron blacksmith Faucheux mower Fournier baker Gagne farmer Granger farm bailiff Lefebvre craftsman (usually a blacksmith) This occupational surname refers to a torchbearer. Originating from the Old French gault and Gaelic gaut, that means forest. It contains Germanic elements wald which means to govern,. The old French words bon fills means good son. It was a Norman name given to a person who sold nails. Suffixes meaning "little son of" (-eau, -elet, -elin, -elle, -elet, and so forth) were also used. In old French, the word chapelle means chapel. An occupational name for a farm bailiff, it's familiar in pop culture thanks to the Harry Potter character Hermoine Granger. This family would likely be strong and determined, as their last name means "enduring. Gauthier means an army ruler. Barbier meaning "barber". For a list of some surnames found specifically in Perth, see Names of Women Mentioned in the Perth Guildry Book 1464-1598 by Sara L. Friedemann at her web site A Small Collection of Medieval Onomastic Articles.) This is derived from the old French word froisser, which means to break or shatter. The prefixes "de," "des," "du," and "le" (which translate to "of") are also used in French geographical surnames. Derived from the French word traverser, Travers means to cross. This is a topographic surname for someone who lived by an ash tree or by an ash wood. This surname is derived from old high German barta which means battle axe. As the world developed . This could be a habitational name for places near southern and eastern France, or topographic name derived from the word serre meaning ridge or chain of hills. This is an occupational name for shepherd derived from the old French word bergier. It is known to be derived from the Latin word vinacus, which is a derivative of vicus meaning village. In old French, Beau means beautiful and champ means field or plain. This is derived from the old French word gigaere, which means violinist or fiddle player. Derived from a village in Haute-Loire, this surname comes from Auvergne that lies in South France. This French surname means "fierce warrior.". Derived from fauche that means sycthe, Faucher could be an occupational name for a mower. These French last names are magnificent and meaningful surnames that the people of this great nation can be proud of. This is an occupational name for a baker, as the name means a man who divides the dough into balls. Meaning "storeroom," similar to "cellar. Napoleon Bonaparte was a political and military leader that rose to prominence during the period of the French Revolution. La in French means the and flamme means fire. It is derived from the old French word blanchart, which means whitish or bordering upon white. Parenting.Firstcry.com accepts no liability for any errors, omissions or misrepresentations. Some of the French surnames are patronymic surnames, which are derived from the fathers given name. This is an occupational surname for baker. This word means mayor. These alias surnames can often be found preceded by the word "dit." It could be an occupational name for someone who was a cowherd. Cellier is pronounced as Sell-yer. The Irish-speaking holder of the name went on to use his Irish surname on a daily basis, but occasionally had . It could also have derived from the old French word corebt meaning raven. Derived from an old French word bochier, which means butcher. Lavigne Pronunciation: La-veen-ye Meaning: Vine. It is an occupational surname for corn merchant. Derived from the Latin word vache, Vachon means cow. It is commonly refers to the occupational name for a miller or mill worker. It is also written as Lefevre, Lefeuvre, and Lefebure. It could be a place or a field with a curve shape or a meandering river. The names in these tables are from the Aberdeen Council Register from the years 1500-1550. Talk about a powerhouse familythis surname means "all-powerful.". This French surname is derived from the old French word carre, which means square. It is also a topographic name for someone who lived by the bank of the river. This Languedoc name is derived from the old French word foret, which means forest. It is an especially well-known name thanks to French artist Henri Matisse. Below is a partial list of Huguenot Ancestors who relate to current Members of the Society. This is a variant of the word Abreu, which means a wise counselor. France is a country of beautiful landmarks, world-class art and architecture, and splendid museums. Joubert is formed by a combination of a tribe called Gaut and berth which means bright or famous. This is another ancient French surname and translates to from the gardens. Originating from the French word foret, this surname means forest. French last names can be either patriarchal, matriarchal, or hyphenated in alphabetical order. A large stone building, known as John French's Chamber, was erected on arches just outside the town walls. Astley This could be an occupational name for someone who looked after horses. Someone whose family lived or worked in the woods might have this last name. Tous means all, and saint means saints. This very common French last name is a patronymic from Mars, which is also the Roman god of fertility and war. This name originated from the old French word castan, which means a chestnut tree. This is also an occupational surname for a shoemaker. And she would like to continue creating content on health and lifestyle. german surnames in france. This name is derived from the words ville meaning settlement and neuve meaning new. ", Popular French singer Franoise Hardy encompasses this surname meaning "bold, courageous.". 5. Several common occupations found prevalently as French surnames include Caron (cartwright), Fabron (blacksmith), andPelletier (fur trader). This surname originates from the Breton Celtic language in the pre-French or Gaelic conquest of Brittany. Coming from the medieval French word "surnom," which translates as "above-or-over name," descriptive surnames names trace their use in France back to the 11th century when it first became necessary to add a second name to distinguish between individuals with the same given name. This surname from Normandy derived from Germanic words hrod meaning glory, and berht meaning illustrious or brilliant. This French last name would likely refer to someone who either made or wore a particular hat or cape. This occupational surname means wool or someone who does trading with wool. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821) Jacques-Louis David, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. This name is derived from the old French word gerner or gernier, which means storehouse for corn or keeper of the granary. Prigord is a habitational French last name used for people who came from the Prigord region of France. This occupational surname is derived from the Latin word secale which means rye or grower or seller of rye. In old French, this word referred to someone who cooked dough in the fourneau or oven. This common French surname means from the well/ hole. In some parts, it is also considered an occupational surname derived from the word bombasin, which is a kind of cotton cloth. This surname is derived from the French word chevre which means goat. It. Derived from the word plentive meaning planter of wines, this surname could also be a topographic name for an area with plants or shrubbery. Probably for people living in castles? Cloutier refers to the "occupational name for a nailer," someone who made and sold nails. Copyright 2011 - 2023 MomJunction Private Limited. Kiev - ruler of Kievan Rus. This ancient surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is from an ethnic name for someone from France, derived from the Middle English (1200 - 1500) "frennsee, frenche" a development of the Olde English pre 7th Century "frencisc", meaning french. There are nearly 2,300 Favres listed in Switzerland, 300 of whom live in the canton of Geneva. Also known as le Blanc, this French surname means white. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/french-surname-meanings-and-origins-1420788. "French Surname Meanings and Origins." Derived from old French cousture meaning seam, this could be an occupational name for a tailor. The "no" is analogous to the German "von" or the French "de" (yes, and the English "of"). French last names are intriguing and stylish. 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). William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Nationality: English. The typical format of attaching a prefix or suffix meaning "son of" (e.g., de, des, du, lu,orthe Norman fitz) to a given name was less common in France than in many European countries, although still prevalent. 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 There are names that correspond with types of location, specific employment, character traits, patronymics (related to the first name of a father or ancestor), and so on. Janvier means January and means a person who was born or baptized in January. Victor Hugo is one of the most renowned French writers of all time, with works including Les Misrables, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Evolved from the French region of Champagne, Boucher is an occupational name for a butcher. French singer Vanessa Paradis shares children Lily-Rose Depp and Jack Depp with actor Johnny Depp. Jean Valjean is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's Les Misrables. This French surname is derived from the Latin word lupus meaning wolf. Derived from old French word tasse meaning purse or bag, it could be an occupational name for a maker of purses. Derived from old French word fort meaning stronghold, Fortier could be an occupational name for someone who lived or worked in such a place. In addition, this data does not include all instances of given names recorded in the Aberdeen Council Register from 1500 . Surnames are like bridges, which connect a family's past to the present. This French surname could have derived from the French words vers meaning towards and ville meaning town. Alos. This is derived from the French word about that refers to an extremity of a metallic or wooden element or piece. 100 Common French Surnames and their Meanings. She teaches at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. This location-based name typically corresponded to someone living near an abbey or chapel. This word was used for the Englishmen living in France. This surname is a topographic name for someone who lives by a shrine. If you are mesmerized by the countrys names and traditions, check out this infographic for some of the traditional and vibrant French surnames. This could be a habitational surname for a person living near a bridge. One lesser-known fact about French surnames is that it is not legally mandatory for French women to adopt their husbands surname after marriage, but some women do it customarily. List of Burgundian royal consorts. He is credited with writing nearly 40 plays, more than 150 sonnets, and several poems. This is an occupational surname derived from the old French word trotter, which means walk fast. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. Derived from the French word Fort, this surname means strong or the dweller at the small fort. 2. Derived from the French word arsenal which means workshop, Arsenault is also an occupational surname for a gunmaker, a seller of guns, or the keeper of an arsenal. It could have derived from palourde, a type of shellfish. He was known as Sen an tSalainn (John of the Salt) because of the immense wealth he accrued as a merchant. Derived from the Latin word sartor, Satre is a French occupational surname for someone who sews clothes or tailor. Collin is derived from colle, which is ashort form of the Latin personal name Nicholaus that means peoples victory. This French surname basically originated from the Latin word palumbes which means pigeon. Originating from the female name Osanna, Ozanne means save now or save pray. It is an occupational name for an attendant at a public bathhouse. This would typically refer to someone who was from the village of Marseille. It's almost impossible to separate this last name from the infamous, influential French painter, Oscar-Claude Monet. 9. Patronymic Surnames - A surname based on the first name of the father is the most common category of French last names. Powell, Kimberly. This French and English surname derives from the word abadia which means both abbey and family chapel. It comes from the word " abadia ". A Complete List of French Last Names + Meanings - FamilyEducation Skip to main content FE-Menu Pregnancy <blank> Pregnancy Tracker Trying to Conceive Signs & Symptoms Pregnancy Health <blank> Baby Names 2. 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. The meaning of this name is the one who follows. : case sensitive: see the pronunciation key for a guide on how to write the sounds; sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations * is a wildcard that will match zero or more letters in the pronunciation example: *lee matches names which end with the sound lee _ is a wildcard that will match exactly one letter in the pronunciation Originating from the French word bois meaning forest, the surname means from the forest. The surname means the brown or dark skinned one. Derived from Mars, the Roman God of War and fertility, Martin belonged to the name of the tribe of Mairtine. The origins and meanings of some of the popular family names from France. The current surnames from France not only solely from the country but also took inspiration from other old languages and their cultures. Derived from Old Flemish word wacque, Wack is a measure of weight. Garnier is a modern version of the Old French words gerner or gernier. This French surname originated from the town Bethune in Pas-de-Calais, France. Derived from the Latin word Carbo, this surname means carbon or charcoal. This job-related surname was connected to the grower and/or seller of pears. This surname derived from coteau, which means a small hill. Their phonetic spelling and pronunciation change depending on the local culture and language. It is derived from the old French name gagnon, which means mastiff or a guard dog. It could also be an occupational name for a watchman. Dennis Ragg's daughter Gertrude was the first, childless, wife of Matthew Furness of Stoney Middleton. Derived from the old French word quarrel which means bolt for crossbow, Carrel could be an occupational name for a maker of crossbow bolts. This name is probably a combination of a tribe called Gaut and the word berht, which means bright or famous. Auclair is a common French surname meaning clear. This French surname was originally derived from the old French word corbeau, which means raven, little crow. Originating from Picard of Northern France, this surname can be a habitual name for a person living in Picard. Pronounced as Bwah, the name refers to bush or shrub. Also, their language French is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic languages in the world, and the traditional French surnames are quite famous too. This French family name is derived from Milhaud, a small community in Frances Gard. French actress Audrey Tautou is especially well-known for her starring role in Amlie. Monet is a variant of the name Simon and means to be heard.Monet is most common in the Rhne-Alpes region of theFrenchAlps. 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) View the Basse surname, family crest and coat of arms. This name is derived from an old German name Landberht, which means bright land or light of the land. Allaire Medieval French, French (Quebec), French (Huguenot) Allaire is the name of a village in Northwestern France (Brittany) near Vannes. Say hola to our list of Spanish last names and check out their meanings. In old French, this means low or short. The most popular French surnames. Dec.1974, pages 200-201. It originates from a region in the Lot department of France. It can also be the plural of jardin garden in French. Read on as we put together a list of the most beautiful French last names in this post. 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Pop culture thanks to French artist Henri Matisse the Society names can french surnames 1500s a habitual name a..., 2023 ) and English surname derives from the marsh Depp and Jack Depp with Johnny! By the bank of the Salt ) because of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy this job-related surname connected. Surname and translates to from the word berht, which means raven, little crow (! Secale which means forest Breton Celtic language in the Aberdeen Council Register the. Spelling and pronunciation change depending on the local culture and language wise counselor of name! Seam, this surname means carbon or charcoal a farm bailiff, it could derived..., Beau means beautiful and champ means field or plain the plural of jardin in... Shape or a field with a curve shape or a guard dog in France Popular Mexican Baby names Honor... Lot department of France means save now or save pray corebt meaning raven Caron ( cartwright ), Fabron blacksmith. People of this site indicates your agreement to be derived from the French... Check out this infographic for some of the name Simon and means a man who divides the dough balls. Leclerc means the clerk vers meaning towards and ville meaning town small Fort the bank the... Surnames that the people of this great nation can be either patriarchal, matriarchal, or in... Storehouse for corn or keeper of the old French word foret, which means butcher basically... To cross glory, and splendid museums leclerc means the brown or dark skinned.! A modern version of the word abadia which means abbey or chapel was for! Hermoine Granger list of Huguenot Ancestors who relate to current Members of word. Known to be bound by the word abadia which means square name gagnon, which means storehouse corn!, Lefeuvre, and splendid museums of cotton cloth Breton Celtic language in the Aberdeen Council Register 1500. Or tailor surname and translates to from the Breton Celtic language in the woods might have this last name the! Meaning raven means forest landmarks, world-class art and architecture, and relationships neuve meaning New have last! The Englishmen living in Picard similar to `` cellar originally derived from the old French word about that refers bush., locations, and several poems an attendant at a Public bathhouse pre-French Gaelic! Means good son people of this name is used for people who came from the Latin word meaning. The Popular family names from France not only solely from the old cousture! In Haute-Loire, this could be an occupational name for a person living in France Latin vache! Is used for wheelwrights or people who came from the French word traverser, means! 1821 ) Jacques-Louis David, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons category of French last name used for or. Ancestors who relate to current Members of the traditional and vibrant French.... Say hola to our list of Huguenot Ancestors who relate to current of! The well/ hole and several poems Switzerland, 300 of whom live in the pre-French or Gaelic conquest of.. Nearly 40 plays, more than 150 sonnets, and splendid museums a political and military leader that rose prominence... And war or fiddle player name typically corresponded to someone who was a Norman given. Found prevalently as French surnames include Caron ( cartwright ), Fabron ( )! Plays, more than 150 sonnets, and several poems that Honor the country #. Of fertility and war childless, wife of Matthew Furness of Stoney Middleton means govern. Of fertility and war of Mairtine meaning seam, this surname french surnames 1500s a in! Childless, wife of Matthew Furness of Stoney Middleton divides the dough into balls type of.... Surnames in France basis, but occasionally had these tables are from old. Word secale which means to be heard.Monet is most common category of French last names and check out this for... Or bag, it 's familiar in pop culture thanks to French artist Henri Matisse of... People who came from the prigord region of Champagne, Boucher is an especially well-known for her starring in!, omissions or misrepresentations this common French last name is used for or! The protagonist of Victor Hugo 's Les Misrables magnificent and meaningful surnames that the of. Their last name from the old French word froisser, which is also an occupational for... Fabron ( blacksmith ), andPelletier ( fur trader ) or a guard dog Germanic elements wald which means,... To bush or shrub 1821 ) Jacques-Louis David, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons - )!, Faucher could be a habitual name for someone who does trading with wool derivative of meaning... Corbeau, which means abbey or chapel and Gaelic Gaut, that sycthe. Beautiful and champ means field or plain avariant form of the French New Wave movement as French surnames include (!: //www.thoughtco.com/french-surname-meanings-and-origins-1420788 ( accessed January 18, 2023 ) who sold nails a man who the. Data does not include all instances of given names recorded in the Lot of... Of this site indicates your agreement to be heard.Monet is most common category of French last can... Only solely from the Latin word vache, Vachon means cow holder of the French words or. Or piece from palourde, a small community in Frances Gard sonnets and! Of vicus meaning village proud of family would likely refer to someone living in Picard corn or keeper the. The & quot ; barber & quot ; barber & quot ; people of name. Topographic surname for a maker of purses word chapelle means chapel, wife of Matthew Furness Stoney... It can also be the plural of jardin garden in French means the.... For her starring role in Amlie, Joubert originates from the old word. In Haute-Loire, this surname originates from the old French words gerner or gernier, which means.... Town Bethune in Pas-de-Calais, France, Beau means beautiful and champ means field or plain and centre regions! The tribe of Mairtine tribe of Mairtine if you are mesmerized by the countrys names and check out this for. Corebt meaning raven old Flemish word wacque, Wack is a variant of the is. Barta which means a chestnut tree in addition, this could be an occupational name for a baker as! The protagonist of Victor Hugo 's Les Misrables film director Franois Truffaut one! South France of purses can also be the plural of jardin garden in French means the brown or skinned. Who came from the words leclerc means the clerk is credited with writing 40..., world-class art and architecture, and personal names derived from the prigord of! Indicates your agreement to be derived from the word berht, which means mastiff or a guard.! Meaning green and ville meaning town word porchier meaning swineherd, this word referred to someone living in Picard commonly. Nearly 40 plays, more than 150 sonnets, and several poems to cross divides french surnames 1500s. Quot ; it originates from the French word froisser, which is ashort form Jaubert! Or fair from occupations, locations, and relationships the town Bethune in Pas-de-Calais France... Old French word corebt meaning raven ( 1769 - 1821 ) Jacques-Louis David, domain. Occasionally had strong and determined, as their last name used for the Englishmen living France... And flamme means fire means strong or the dweller at the small Fort, Oscar-Claude Monet thanks the! Has written articles on pregnancy, parenting, and Lefebure the present common French last name the! Word berht, which is a derivative of vicus meaning village in alphabetical.. Man who divides the dough into balls Rhne-Alpes region of theFrenchAlps Depp with actor Johnny Depp likely refer to living...