Check out a diverse collection of over 200 French last names and given names. Uncover the inherent beauty and significance of French family names.
Contents
French Last Names and Meanings
Discover compilations of common French last names and first names in the following lists. All details are provided in English (US) for your ease of reference.
- Dupont:
- Meaning: “From the bridge”; a common surname derived from a location near a bridge.
- Origins: French.
- Description: One of the most common French surnames, indicating someone living near a bridge or from a place named after a bridge.
- Martin:
- Meaning: Derived from the Latin name “Martinus,” meaning “of Mars” or “warlike.”
- Origins: French.
- Description: A widespread surname in France, often associated with individuals whose ancestors had a martial or military background.
- Dubois:
- Meaning: “Of the woods”; indicating someone who lived near or in a forest.
- Origins: French.
- Description: Reflects the ancestral residence of individuals in wooded areas or near forests.
- Laurent:
- Meaning: Derived from the Latin name “Laurentius,” meaning “from Laurentum,” a city in ancient Italy.
- Origins: French.
- Description: Typically associated with individuals whose ancestors may have migrated from Italy or were connected to the ancient city of Laurentum.
- Leclerc:
- Meaning: Occupational surname meaning “the clerk” or “the scribe.”
- Origins: French.
- Description: Originated as a name for individuals working as clerks or scribes.
- Lefebvre:
- Meaning: Occupational surname meaning “the blacksmith.”
- Origins: French.
- Description: Indicates a family’s historical occupation as blacksmiths or metalworkers.
- Moreau:
- Meaning: Derived from the Latin “Maurus,” meaning “dark-skinned” or “Moorish.”
- Origins: French.
- Description: Possibly indicating a family’s connection to individuals with dark complexions or Moorish ancestry.
- Girard:
- Meaning: Derived from the Germanic name “Gerhard,” meaning “spear strength” or “brave with the spear.”
- Origins: French.
- Description: Indicates a family’s ancestral connection to individuals known for their strength or bravery.
- Roussel:
- Meaning: Derived from the French word “rous,” meaning “red” or “reddish,” possibly indicating someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
- Origins: French.
- Description: Surname associated with individuals with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
- Bonnet:
- Meaning: Derived from the French word “bonnet,” meaning “cap” or “hat,” possibly indicating someone who made or sold hats.
- Origins: French.
- Description: Likely originated as an occupational surname for hat makers or sellers.
List Of French Last Names Female And Meanings
Here is a list of French last names along with their French family name, meaning, origin, and associated zodiac sign:
| Last Name | Meaning | Origin | Country | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubois | Of the woods | From a wooded area | France | Common surname indicating proximity to a forest |
| Lefevre | The blacksmith | Occupational | France | Indicates ancestral profession in metalworking |
| Dupont | Of the bridge | Near or working on a bridge | France | Indicates connection to a bridge or bridgework |
| Leroy | The king | From the French word “roi” meaning king | France | Suggests royal descent or a noble origin |
| Martel | The hammer | Occupational | France | Linked to blacksmithing or metalworking |
| Chevalier | Knight or Horseman | From the French word “cheval” meaning horse | France | Indicates historical connection to knighthood or chivalry |
| Beaumont | Beautiful mountain or hill | From a geographical feature | France | Suggests connection to a picturesque landscape |
| Fournier | The baker | Occupational | France | Historical involvement in the baking profession |
| Rousseau | The redhead | Derived from “rous” meaning red | France | Indicates red or reddish-brown hair |
| Blanchard | White or Fair | Derived from “blanc” meaning white | France | Suggests fairness or light complexion |
| Bernard | Brave bear | Derived from Germanic elements | France | Indicates courage or strength, possibly of Germanic origin |
| Girard | Strong with a spear | Derived from Germanic elements | France | Suggests strength or prowess in battle, possibly Germanic |
| Martin | Warrior | Derived from the Latin “Martinus” | France | Indicates a warrior or soldier |
| Simon | Listener | Derived from Hebrew | France | Indicates attentiveness or a person who listens well |
| Legrand | The tall one | Descriptive | France | Indicates a tall stature |
| Caron | The beloved | Derived from the Latin “carus” meaning dear | France | Suggests being beloved or cherished |
| Moreau | Dark-skinned | Descriptive | France | Indicates a person with a dark complexion |
| Renard | Fox | Derived from the Latin “renardus” | France | Indicates cleverness or cunning, possibly derived from a fox |
| Petit | Small | Descriptive | France | Indicates a person of small stature |
| Dupuis | Of the wells | Descriptive | France | Likely indicates proximity to wells or water sources |
List Of French Last Names Male And Meanings
Explore a comprehensive list of French last names for males along with their meanings. Discover the origins and significance of popular and rare French surnames. Learn about the cultural and historical context of French family names.
- Dupont – “From the bridge”
- Martin – Derived from the Latin name “Martinus,” meaning “warlike” or “dedicated to Mars”
- Dubois – “Of the woods”
- Laurent – Derived from the Latin name “Laurentius,” meaning “from Laurentum,” a city in ancient Italy
- Leclerc – “The clerk” or “the scribe”
- Leroy – “The king”
- Moreau – “Dark-skinned” or “Moorish”
- Girard – Derived from the Germanic name “Girard,” meaning “spear strong”
- Lefevre – “The smith”
- Lambert – Derived from the Germanic name “Landberht,” meaning “land” and “bright”
- Roux – “Red” or “red-haired”
- Fontaine – “Fountain” or “spring”
- Caron – Derived from the Old French word “charron,” meaning “cartwright” or “wagon maker”
- Mercier – “Merchant” or “shopkeeper”
- Olivier – Derived from the Latin name “Oliverius,” possibly meaning “olive tree” or “elf army”
- Bonnet – “Cap” or “hood”
- Boucher – “Butcher”
- Garnier – Derived from the Germanic name “Warinheri,” meaning “guardian army”
- Perrin – Derived from the given name “Pierre,” meaning “stone”
- Gauthier – Derived from the Germanic name “Waldhar,” meaning “ruler of the army”
List Of French Last Names Common
Explore a list of Common French last names. Learn about the most prevalent surnames in France and their meanings. Discover the cultural and historical significance of widely used French family names.
- Dupont:
- Meaning: “From the bridge.”
- Origins: Derived from the French words “du” (from the) and “pont” (bridge).
- Country: France.
- Description: One of the most common surnames in France, it likely originated from people living near bridges.
- Martin:
- Meaning: Derived from the Latin name “Martinus,” meaning “of Mars” or “war-like.”
- Origins: From the Latin name Martinus, which was derived from Martis, the genitive case of the name of the Roman god Mars.
- Country: France.
- Description: This surname is widespread in France and has ancient roots.
- Lefèvre:
- Meaning: “The blacksmith.”
- Origins: Derived from the Old French word “fevre” meaning “blacksmith.”
- Country: France.
- Description: Commonly associated with the occupation of blacksmithing, this surname has a long history in France.
- Durand:
- Meaning: “Enduring” or “steadfast.”
- Origins: Derived from the Old French word “durant,” meaning “enduring” or “steadfast.”
- Country: France.
- Description: This surname suggests resilience or perseverance.
- Leroy:
- Meaning: “The king.”
- Origins: Derived from the Old French words “le” (the) and “roi” (king).
- Country: France.
- Description: Likely originated as a nickname for someone who behaved in a regal manner.
- Moreau:
- Meaning: “Dark-skinned” or “Moorish.”
- Origins: Derived from the Old French word “more,” meaning “Moor” or “dark-skinned.”
- Country: France.
- Description: Historically, this surname might have been given to individuals with darker complexions or those with connections to Moorish ancestry.
- Garcia:
- Meaning: “Spear.”
- Origins: Derived from the Basque word “gartzia,” meaning “spear.”
- Country: France (common among people of Spanish origin).
- Description: While commonly associated with Spanish heritage, Garcia is also prevalent among the French population, particularly in regions with historical ties to Spain.
- Petit:
- Meaning: “Small” or “little.”
- Origins: Derived from the Old French word “petit,” meaning “small” or “little.”
- Country: France.
- Description: This surname might have originally been a nickname for someone of small stature.
- Rousseau:
- Meaning: “Red” or “red-haired.”
- Origins: Derived from the Old French word “rous,” meaning “red.”
- Country: France.
- Description: Likely originated as a descriptive surname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
- Blanc:
- Meaning: “White.”
- Origins: Derived from the Old French word “blanc,” meaning “white.”
- Country: France.
- Description: This surname might have originally been a nickname for someone with fair hair or a pale complexion.
List Of French Last Names Rare
Here is a list of Rare French last names along with their French family name, meaning, origin, and associated zodiac sign:
| Last Name | Meaning | Origins | Country | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beauchamp | Beautiful field | Old French | France | Likely originated as a placename or descriptor for someone living near a beautiful field. |
| Deschamps | Of the fields | Old French | France | Originated as a locational or occupational name for someone who lived or worked in the fields. |
| Leclercq | The clerk, the scribe | Old French | France | Likely originated as an occupational name for a clerk or scribe. |
| Boucher | Butcher | Old French | France | Originated as an occupational name for someone who worked as a butcher. |
| Marchand | Merchant, trader | Old French | France | Originated as an occupational name for someone involved in trade or commerce. |
| Guérin | Possibly: guard, protector | Germanic/French | France | Uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Germanic name “Warin.” |
| Joubert | Joy, bright | Old French | France | Likely originated as a personal name given to someone with a joyful or bright personality. |
| Barbier | Barber, hairdresser | Old French | France | Originated as an occupational name for a barber or hairdresser. |
| Charpentier | Carpenter | Old French | France | Originated as an occupational name for a carpenter. |
| Vaillant | Valiant, brave | Old French | France | Likely originated as a nickname for someone who displayed courage or bravery. |
| Girard | Strong spear | Germanic/French | France | Derived from the Germanic name “Gerhard,” meaning “spear strength.” |
| Renault | Advice, rule | Germanic/French | France | Derived from the Germanic name “Reginald,” meaning “advice” or “rule.” |
| Lemaire | The mayor | Old French | France | Originated as a occupational name for a mayor. |
| Lambert | Bright land | Germanic/French | France | Derived from the Germanic elements “land” (land) and “berht” (bright). |
| Dubois | From the woods | Old French | France | Likely originated as a locational name for someone living near or in the woods. |
| Laurent | Laurel tree | Latin/French | France | Derived from the Latin name Laurentius, meaning “from Laurentum” or “laurel tree.” |
| Bernard | Brave bear | Germanic/French | France | Derived from the Germanic elements “bern” (bear) and “hard” (brave, strong). |
| Chevalier | Knight, horseman | Old French | France | Originated as a occupational name for a knight or horseman. |
| Legrand | The big, the tall | Old French | France | Likely originated as a nickname for someone who was large or tall in stature. |
| Roussel | Little redhead | Old French | France | Likely originated as a descriptive surname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. |
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