200+ French Last Names – List of French Last Names and Meanings

Check out a diverse collection of over 200 French last names and given names. Uncover the inherent beauty and significance of French family names.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Leclerc:
   • Meaning: Occupational surname meaning “the clerk” or “the scribe.”
   • Origins: French.
   • Description: Originated as a name for individuals working as clerks or scribes.
6. Lefebvre:
   • Meaning: Occupational surname meaning “the blacksmith.”
   • Origins: French.
   • Description: Indicates a family’s historical occupation as blacksmiths or metalworkers.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.

1. Dupont – “From the bridge”
2. Martin – Derived from the Latin name “Martinus,” meaning “warlike” or “dedicated to Mars”
3. Dubois – “Of the woods”
4. Laurent – Derived from the Latin name “Laurentius,” meaning “from Laurentum,” a city in ancient Italy
5. Leclerc – “The clerk” or “the scribe”
6. Leroy – “The king”
7. Moreau – “Dark-skinned” or “Moorish”
8. Girard – Derived from the Germanic name “Girard,” meaning “spear strong”
9. Lefevre – “The smith”
10. Lambert – Derived from the Germanic name “Landberht,” meaning “land” and “bright”
11. Roux – “Red” or “red-haired”
12. Fontaine – “Fountain” or “spring”
13. Caron – Derived from the Old French word “charron,” meaning “cartwright” or “wagon maker”
14. Mercier – “Merchant” or “shopkeeper”
15. Olivier – Derived from the Latin name “Oliverius,” possibly meaning “olive tree” or “elf army”
16. Bonnet – “Cap” or “hood”
17. Boucher – “Butcher”
18. Garnier – Derived from the Germanic name “Warinheri,” meaning “guardian army”
19. Perrin – Derived from the given name “Pierre,” meaning “stone”
20. 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.

Also, see

French First Names