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A list of surnames derived from Old French, the form of the French language spoken in medieval times. Find out the meanings, origins and variants of names like Banner, Beauchêne, Belmont, Butler, etc.
- Patronymic & Matronymic Surnames
- Occupational Surnames
- Descriptive Surnames
- Geographical Surnames
- Alias Surnames Or Dit Names
- French Names with Germanic Origins
- Official Name Changes in France
- 100 Common French Surnames and Their Meanings
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Based on a parent’s name, patronyms and matronyms are the most common method by which French last names were constructed. Patronymic surnames are based on the father's name and matronymic surnames on the mother's name. The mother's name was usually used only when the father's name was unknown. Patronymic and matronymic surnames in France were forme...
Also very common among French surnames, occupational last namesare based on the person’s job or trade, such as Pierre Boulanger or "Pierre, the baker." Several common occupations found prevalently as French surnames include Caron (cartwright), Fabron (blacksmith), and Pelletier (fur trader).
Based on a unique quality of the individual, descriptive French surnames were often developed from nicknames or pet names, such as Jacques Legrand, for Jacques, "the Big." Other common examples include Petit (small) and LeBlanc (blonde hair or fair complexion).
Geographical or habitational French surnames are based on a person’s residence, often a former residence (for example, Yvonne Marseille means Yvonne from the village of Marseille). They may also describe the individual's specific location within a village or town, such as Michel Léglise, who lived next to the church. The prefixes "de," "des," "du,"...
In some areas of France, a second surname may have been adopted to distinguish between different branches of the same family, especially when the families remained in the same town for generations. These alias surnames can often be found preceded by the word "dit." Sometimes an individual even adopted the dit name as the family name and dropped the...
As so many French surnames are derived from first names, it's important to know that many common French first names have Germanic origins. However, these names became part of French culture as a result of German invasions, so having a name with Germanic origins does not necessarily mean you have German ancestors.
Beginning in 1474, those who wished to change their names were required to get permission from the King. (These official name changes can be found indexed in "L' Archiviste Jérôme. Dictionnaire des changements de noms de 1803–1956"(Dictionary of changed names from 1803 to 1956). Paris: Librairie Francaise, 1974.)
Abadie (abbey or family chapel)Alarie (all-powerful)Allard (noble)Anouilh (slow worm)Learn how French surnames were formed from parental, occupational, descriptive, geographical, or alias names. See examples of common French surnames and their meanings, and how they relate to medieval French culture.
Find out the origin and meaning of medieval French surnames contributed by users of this website. Browse the list of 24 names with filters and definitions, or apply the search to the main name collection.
This index contains articles on names in Frankish and Old French, languages of the north and ancestors of modern French. Articles on Occitan names are available elsewhere . Frankish Names
Find out the meanings and origins of medieval French names, such as Amelia, Geoffroi, and Isabeau. Browse a list of 31 names with Old French forms and examples of usage.
Learn how French surnames were formed and what they reveal about your ancestors' origins and occupations. Find out the most common and rarest French last names and their meanings, and how to trace your family history with Ancestry.
A list of names derived from Old French, the form of the French language spoken in medieval times. Find out the meanings, origins and usage of names like Amice, Anabel, Beau, Bellamy, Bonnie, Boone and more.
