200+ French Last Names or Surnames With Meanings

Surnames are like bridges that connect a family’s past to the present. First-name trends may come and go, but last names are forever. Surnames in France originated from occupations, locations, and personal names. You’ll be in awe to find a variety from pretty French last names to cool last names. Read on to find a curated list of 130 French last names or surnames. The current surnames from France are not only solely from the country but also took inspiration from other old languages and their cultures. Let’s take a look at these top French last names and meanings, understand the core of these surnames, and learn about their ancestry.

Common French Last Names or Family Names

French surnames often originate from given names, occupations, geography, or Germanic roots.They reflect heritage and help trace family history.

1. Abadie

Abadie derives from the word ‘abadia’ which means ‘abbey’ or ‘family chapel’. It was made famous by the Spanish economist Alberto Abadie.

2. Abreo

This last name in French is a variant of the word abreu, and it means ‘a wise counsellor’. This family name belongs to the ancient house of Normandy that came into use via the Countship of Évreux, France.

3. Alarie

This French surname is a reflex of the Visigothic personal name Alaric and means ‘all-powerful’.

4. Archambeau

Archambeau is a French surname with roots in the old Germanic name Archambault. It comes from “ercan” (precious, genuine) and “bald” (bold, brave), giving it the meaning “truly bold” or “precious and brave.”

5. Auch

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.

6. Badeaux

A derivative of the word Badar, this surname comes from the Occitan word badau, meaning ‘gullible’. It can also mean ‘to gape’ or ‘to be open-mouthed’.

7. Basset

Derived from Old French, Basset is an occupational surname that means ‘low’ or ‘short’. It refers to a person of humble origins or a short person.

8. Baudelaire

10. Bois

Bois is a French surname meaning “wood” or “forest,” originally given to someone who lived near or worked in the woods.

11. Cadieux

Cadieux is an ancient surname that is derived from the word cad and refers to a ‘little fighter’.

12. Carbonneau

Derived from the Latin word Carbo, this surname means ‘carbon’ or charcoal’. People with dark hair or a swarthy complexion are mostly the bearers of this name.

13. Castillon

Pronounced as Kaast-ih-yohn, the name stands for ‘castle’. Probably for people living in castles? A good thought, but we are not so sure.

14. Chapelle

This topographic surname denotes a ‘person who lives by a shrine’. In Old French, it means ‘chapel’.

15. Chapdelaine

Pronounced as Chaep-dih-lane, this French last name means ‘cape’ or ‘hood’.

16. Chevrolet

This French surname was first found in Normandy and refers to a ‘goat herder’. It originates from a region in the Lot department of France.

17. DeRose

More common in Italy, DeRose is applicable for a ‘person with a rosy complexion.’

18. Desjardins

This ancient surname is a topographic name or a habitational name that refers to ‘from the marsh’. It can also be the plural of jardin, ‘garden’ in French.

19. De Villiers

Derived from the name of the tendril vrilles, this occupational surname refers to ‘a person who planted or worked on vrilles’.

20. Du Bellay

One of the best royal French last names, Du Bellay, belongs to the French noble family who lived in the historic Anjou region in the 12th century.

21. Edouard

This French surname is similar to the English surname Edwards from Olde English and means ‘a prosperous guardian’.

22. Farrow

This occupational surname is from the word error, which refers to ‘an iron worker’.

23. Forester

Originating from the French word foret, this surname means ‘forest’. It can be an occupational surname referring to ‘the keeper of the king’s forest.’

24. Fortin

Derived from the French word Fort, this surname means ‘strong’ or ‘the dweller at the small fort’.

25. Fraise

This topographic surname refers to someone who lived by an ash tree or lived by ash wood. It is a variant of Old French fresne.

26. Frossard

Derived from the Old French word froisser, this surname means ‘to break’ or ‘shatter’.

27. Gagneux

Derived from the old French word gagnier, Ganeux means ‘to farm’ or ‘cultivate’. Renaud Gagneux was a notable French composer.

28. Gauthier

Gauthier means ‘an army ruler’. This surname is often given to lumbermen. Originating from the Old French gault and Gaelic gaut, which means “forest.” It contains Germanic elements wald, which means ‘to govern.’

29. Gay

Derived from a nickname given to a person who is light-hearted and joyful, Gay in Old French is gai, which means ‘full of joy’.

30. Gouin

Derived from the word gwen, Gouin means ‘light’ or ‘fair’. This surname originates from the Breton Celtic language in the pre-French or Gaelic conquest of Brittany.

31. Heroux

This surname is derived from the German personal name Hariwulf: Hari means ‘army’ and wulf means ‘wolf’.

32. Houde

Derived from a village in Haute-Loire, this surname comes from Auvergne that lies in South France. Derived from the French personal name Oudet, which comes from the Germanic name ode or aud which means ‘wealth’.

33. Hubert

34. Jacques

Jacques is a popular name which is used both as a surname and as a first name. The meaning of this name is ‘the one who follows’.

35. Janvier

Janvier means ‘January’ and means a person who was born or baptized in January.

36. Joubert

Joubert is formed by a combination of a tribe called Gaut and berth which means ‘bright’ or ‘famous’. A variant form of Jaubert, Joubert originates from the central west and centre south regions of France.

37. Jourdain

A variant of Jordan, this surname means ‘one who descends’. It is a personal name that is given to one who was baptized with the holy water from River Jordan.

38. Kaplan

Kaplan is derived from the Old Norman French word Caplain. It means ‘charity priest’ who was endowed to sing Mass daily on behalf of the souls of the dead.

39. Lacroix

40. Laflamme

This occupational surname refers to a torchbearer. La in French means ‘the’ and flamme means ‘fire’.

41. Lane

This occupational surname means ‘wool’ or ‘someone who does trading with wool’.  The Gaelic Irish surnames, “O’Laighin’ took an Anglicized form to form the surname Lane.

42. Langlais

Langlais is a habitational French surname given to people who moved to live in France from England. The name basically means ‘The Englishmen’.

43. La Rue

44. Laurel

45. Lavoie

Lavoie is a situational French surname given to those who live near a road. This is because voie in French means ‘road’.

46. Le Beau

Beau means ‘fair’ ‘handsome’ and ‘lovely’ in Old French. Anita Le Beau is a famous Canadian filmmaker.

47. Leroy

Roy means ‘king’ in Old French and is common in northern France.

48. Marchand

Derived from Marchand, this occupational surname means ‘merchant’ or ‘someone who bought and sold goods’ in Old French.

49. Matthieu

Originating from the Latin word Mattaeus, which in turn is derived from the Greek word Matthaios, Matthieu means ‘gift of the Lord’.

50. Meunier

51. Montagne

52. Noyer

53. Ozanne

Originating from the female name Osanna, Ozanne means ‘save now’ or ‘save pray’.

54. Page

Originating from the Greek word paidion, Page is an occupational surname for a ‘little boy’.

55. Palomer

This French surname basically originated from the Latin word “palumbes” which means pigeon. The name eventually led to Palomer in French, which means ‘pigeon keeper’.

56. Paquet

Derived from the French word paquet, this surname means “bundle” or “package,” and was often linked to someone who packed or carried goods.

57. Pascal

Derived from the Latin word Pascha, Pascal is a patronymic or a hereditary surname. It is a Hebrew name for ‘Passover’.

58. Périgord

Périgord is a habitational French last name used for people who came from the Périgord region of France.

59. Picard

Originating from Picard of Northern France, this surname can be a habitual name for a person living in Picard.

60. Plantier

Derived from the word plentive meaning ‘planter of wines’, this surname could also be a topographic name for ‘an area with plants’ or ‘shrubbery’.

61. Plourde

62. Rayne

Derived from the German word Ragin or from the Old French “reine”   this surname means ‘advice’ or ‘counsel’.

63. Renaud

Renaud is a French surname derived from the Germanic elements “ragin” (counsel) and “wald” (rule), meaning “wise ruler” or “mighty counselor.”

64. Reason

Derived from the old French word raison, this surname means ‘intellectual faculty’.

65. Remy

Remy is a medieval personal name that is represented by the Latin name Remihius meaning ‘rower’ or ‘oarsman’ and Remedius that means ‘cure’.

66. Richard

This classic name is derived from the word which means powerful and hard meaning ‘brave’ or ‘strong’.

67. Richelieu

68. Riviere

In Old French, this surname means ‘river’ or ‘shore’. It is also a topographic name for someone who lived by the bank of the river.

69. Robida

This surname was first used in Auvergne, which is a place in ancient France.

70. Rodier

The surname Rodier originates from the Latin word ‘rota’, which means ‘wheel’. The name is used for wheelwrights or people who live near a water wheel.

71. Sartre

Derived from the Latin word sartor, Satre is a French occupational surname for someone who sews clothes or ‘tailor’.

72. Sauveterre

Originating from the French word sauve, this surname means ‘safe’ and terre means land.

73. Segal

This occupational surname is derived from the Latin word secale which means ‘rye’ or ‘grower or seller of rye’.

74. Serres

Derived from the word serre, this surname means ‘ridge’ or ‘chain of hills’. It could also be a habitational name for places near southern and eastern France.

75. Simon

Derived from the historical origin, Simon may have been derived from the Hebrew shim’on and means ‘to listen’.

76. Soulier

Originating from the old French word Soule, Soulier means ‘platform’. This is also an occupational surname for a shoemaker.

77. Tasse

Derived from the Old French word tasse that means ‘purse’ or ‘bag’, it could be an occupational name for ‘a maker of purses’.

78. Tavernier

Tavernier is a well-known French last name referring to an innkeeper.

79. Thibaut

Derived from the Old French name Theobald, Thibaut means ‘brave’ or ‘bold’.

80. Travers

Derived from the French word traverser, Travers means ‘to cross’. It is also used for a person who lives near a bridge or a ford.

81. Trottier

Derived from the old French word trotter, Trottier is an occupational surname and means ‘walk fast’.

82. Vachon

Derived from the Latin word vache, Vachon means ‘cow’. It can also be an occupational surname for a person who was a cowherd.

83. Vaillancourt

A variant of the word valencourt, this surname means a ‘low-lying farm’.

84. Vaillant

Derived from the Old French word vaillant, this surname means ‘brave’ or ‘sturdy’.

85. Valade

Originating from Occitan, a language in Southern France, Valade means ‘valley’.

86. Vannier

Derived from the French word vanier, Vannier refers to someone who does winnowing.

87. Varne

88. Varon

Derived from Old German name Waro which originates from Wara meaning ‘protection’.

89. Vautour

90. Vaux

This habitational surname belongs to various places in northern France. Derived from Old French plural of val that means ‘valley’.

91. Vernier

92. Vigneau

Though Vigneau refers to a vineyard in French, the surname is used to represent the owner.

93. Vinet

Derived from the Old French word viner, Vinet means ‘to make wine’.

94. Visage

This French surname means ‘face’. It may have been used as a nickname for someone with a beautiful or remarkable face.

95. Voclian

Voclian is a French surname derived from Vauquelin, meaning “wealthy one,” and originally referred to descendants of families with that name

96. Voland

Derived from the Old French word voler, Voland means ‘to fly’ or ‘agile’. It has an Americanized spelling of Norwegian Våland.

97. Wack

Derived from Old Flemish word wacque, Wack is a measure of weight. Its initial use was found in Silesia and can refer to an official responsible for weighing.

98. Webster

This occupational surname of Norman French origin refers to a person who weaves.

99. Yolande

This medieval French name is a form of the name Violante which is a derivative of Latin viola or ‘violet’. It could possibly be of Germanic origin.

100. Yotte

A variant of Ayotte, this surname means ‘small hedge’ or ‘small woody plot of land’ in Old French.

101. Zabelle

This surname is a variation of ‘beautiful’, as it has the French word ‘belle’ in it.

Popular French Last Names

Are you inspired by French people based on their surnames because you heard of them in movies, magazines and books, and now want to learn about them? Here’s you go!

1. Auger

Originated from the Old French personal name Auger, which is derived from the name Adalgarius. The name means ‘noble spear.’

2. Barbet

Derived from the baptismal name, Barbet is a popular French surname meaning ‘son of Barbara.’

3. Bassett

In old French, the surname refers to someone of humble origins or someone short.

4. Beausoleil

Beausoleil may be a geographical name referring to someplace with good sun exposure. It means ‘beautiful sun.’

5. Belshaw

Derived by combining the meanings of the terms beu which means ‘lovely’ or ‘beautiful’ and chere which means ‘face,’ we get Belshaw, which ultimately means a ‘lovely or cheerful face.’

6. Bernard

7. Blanc

8. Boisseau

Boisseau is an occupational surname for people who are corn merchants. The last name originates from the French term bushel, which means ‘measure of grain.’

9. Bonhomme

Bonhomme is a combination surname derived by combining the two beautiful French terms bon, meaning ‘good,’ and Homme, meaning a ‘man.’

10. Breguet

Originating from Normandy, a region in France, the surname is occupational and usually has people following occupations like business, watchmaking, and inventions.

11. Carpentier

With Norman-Picard origin, Carpentier is a popular French surname which means ‘carpenter.’

12. Chappuis

Rooted in the Old French, Chappuis is derived from the term Chaput, which is a chopping block used to create unique shapes.

13. Chevalier

14. Collin

Collin is a popular French patronymic surname. It is derived from the French term colle, which is a diminutive of the Latin term Nicholaus, meaning ‘people’s victory.’

15. Couture

Couture is an occupational surname for a tailor. It is extracted from the Old French term cousture, which means ‘seam.’

16. Deloney

Deloney is a geographical last name which means ‘from Aunay.’ You’ll probably find people wearing this surname settled in the northern and eastern parts of France.

17. Fay

Fay originally belongs to the Norman last name de Fae, meaning ‘of the fairy.’

18. Gaudin

Gaudin is an ancient surname with roots in the German name Godino, meaning ‘son of God.’

19. Grange

Grange is derived from the Old French term grange, which refers to ‘barn’ or ‘granary.’

20. Lagarde

You’ll probably find people adorning the surname Lagarde majorly from Ariege, Moselle, and Gers. This habitational surname means in Old French means ‘to watch.’

21. Leclerc

Leclerc is an occupational family name referring to a ‘clerk’ or ‘secretary.’

22. Lemaitre

Lemaitre is a classic French occupational family name which refers to someone who has a mastery of a craft. It is derived from the French term maistre, which means ‘master.’

23. Loup

Extracted from the Latin term lupus, which means ‘wolf,’ this surname is quite popular and well-regarded among people.

24. Pelissier

Derived from the Old French term pellice, which means ‘fur cloak,’ Pellisier is quite a classy family name.

25. Pomeroy

Pomeroy finds its roots in the term Pommeroie, which refers to ‘apple orchards.’

26. Proulx

Extracted from the Old French word preu, the family name refers to ‘brave’ or ‘valiant.’

27. Rousseau

Rooted in the Latin term russus, the surname means ‘red.’ Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a well-known philosopher and writer.

28. Serrurier

Serrurier is a popular occupational name usually borne by locksmiths.

29. Verne

Can you guess anything common in these legendary people: Jules Verne, Larry Verne, and Michele Verne? They all have a common surname. Verne means ‘alder tree’ in French.

30. Villeneuve

Villeneuve is a well-known French family name which means ‘new settlement.’

Royal French Last Names

French people and culture is known for their royalty. There are several royal families that date back to the ruling time in France and the surnames have descended to their generation from or the region they came from. Here are some French royal surnames.

1. Aveline

Derived from the botanical name of the common Hazel, which is Corylus avellana, the surname is feel a noble feel to it. Aveline in modern French means ‘haxelnut.’

2. Barreau

Barreau is believed to an occupational surname, meaning ‘doorkeeper’ or ‘jailkeeper.’

3. Bazin

Extracted from the ancient Greek name Basileios, which means ‘royal,’ this French surname packs a punch.

4. Bedeau

Bedeau is obtain from the French term bedeau. It means beadle, which is basically a sergeant of justice.

5. Berengar

Berenger is believed to have German origin and possibly mean a ‘person bearing a spear.’

6. Bethune

Bethune is a habitational name for people belonging from a town Bethune in Pas-de-Calais, France.

7. Blanchet

Blanchet is a highly regarded family name which is extracted from the french term blanc. It is believed to have given to people who had a reputation of purity and piousness or to people who are blonde.

8. Bonfils

9. Borde

Borde in French means ‘plank’ or ‘board.’ It could possibly be a haitational name of people living in the house made of plants or board.

10. Bullion

Bullion in French means a ‘hollow in a rock containing rainwater’ or ’round spring.’ It could possibly be a topographic name for people living near or from springs.

11. Carrel

Carrel is obtained from the Old French term quarrel, which means ‘bolt for crossbow.’ It is beleieved to be an occupational family name for a ‘maker of crossbow bolts.’

12. Chastain

Chastain means ‘chestnut tree’ and is derived from the french term castan. It is beleived to be a topographic family name for ‘people living near a chestnut tree.’

13. Clair

Clair is a French derivative of the Latin term calrus. It means ‘bright’ and ‘famous.’

14. Corbin

Corbin is a modern diminuitive of the Old French term corbeau, which means ‘little crow’ or ‘raven.’

15. Dupuis

16. Fortier

Fortier is believed to be an occupational surname for a person lived or worked in a place with tight security.’ It is derived from the French term fort whch means ‘stronghold.’

17. Fournier

Fournier is a occupational last name for a baker. In the olden times, it is used to refer to an individual who cooked dough in the oven or fourneau.

18. Gerard

Gerard is a turnaround of the old personal name Gerard. While Ger means ‘spear’, hard means ‘strong and brave.’

19. Landry

Landry is obtained from the German personal name Landric. While Land means ‘land,’ ric refers to ‘ruler’ or ‘powerful.’

20. Langlois

Written as Langlois or L’Anglois, the surname means ‘the Englishman.’ The term is used for English people living in France.

21. Lejeune

Lejeune is derived from the French term jeune, which means ‘young.’

22. Leroux

Leroux has emerged from the Old French name rous, which refers to ‘red-haired’ or ‘red.’

23. Martel

Martel in Old French means ‘hammer.’ The surname, thus, beleived to be an occupational for a smith.

24. Poirier

Poirier in French refers to a ‘pear tree.’ it could be a topographic surname for people living near a pear tree or occupational name for people in business of harvesting pear trees.

25. Poulin

Poulin is believed to be an occupational surname for people in business of breeding poultry, as it is derived from the French term poule which means ‘chicken.’

26. Ricard

Ricard is a combination surname in which Ric means ‘powerful’ and hard means ‘strong’ and ‘powerful.’

27. Sale

Sale in Old French means ‘salty.’ It could be a topographic family name for people living or working in a salt marsh.

28. Veilleux

This family name is beleived to be an occupational name for a watchman. as it is derived from an Old French term veille, which means ‘guard’ or ‘watch.’

29. Vieux

30. Voclain

Viclain is a variant of the French term Vauquelin, which is beleived to have originated from Walkelin, which means ‘the wealthy one.’

Unique French Surnames

There are some surnames that can’t be found anywhere else. Their population is quite low and is counted as unique. Here are some examples of unique French last names:

1. Allard

2. Anouilh

Derived from the word anull that is the Catalan language dominantly used in southern France, Anouilh means ‘slow worm’.

3. Aubert

Aubert means ‘noble-bright’ and originates from the Old German compound word Aedelbeort.

4. Auclair

Auclair is a French surname meaning “clear” or “bright,” often used to describe someone with a radiant or distinguished character.

5. Bain

Bain is an occupational surname that is derived from the Middle English word bains. It refers to ‘an attendant at a public bathhouse’ or simply ‘bath’ in Old French.

6. Barbier

Derived from Anglo-Norman French, this occupational surname means ‘barber’.

7. Beaumont

8. Boucher

Pronounced as Boo-shay, Boucher is an occupational surname referring to a ‘butcher’.

9. Cartier

This Anglo-Norman French word has an aboriginal origin. This occupational surname means ‘a person who worked as a transporter of goods.’

10. Cellier

This last name means ‘a cellar’ or ‘a storeroom’. Cellier is pronounced as Sell-yer.

11. Dubois

The French surname Dubois is not only popular in France but in the US as well. It means ‘forest’.

12. Dupont

This French habitational surname is quite popular and means ‘of the bridge’ or ‘a person living near a bridge’.

13. Durand

14. Escoffier

Edwards originated from the Old English pre-7th century era and refers to the ‘prosperity guard’.

15. Faucher

Derived from Olde French word fauche, this occupational surname means ‘ mower’ or ‘scythe’.

16. Fontaine

This Old French topographical surname is a derivative of the classical Latin word ‘fons’ and means ‘well’ or ‘fountain’.

17. Garcon

Garcon is a French surname that translates to “servant” or “boy,” likely used in occupational or descriptive contexts.

18. Garnier

Garnier is a modern version of the Old French words gerner or gernier. This occupational surname means ‘storehouse for corn’ or ‘keeper of granary’.

19. Guillaume

Originating from the popular Norman name William, this surname means ‘protection’ or ‘strength’.

20. Lambert

Pronounced as LAM-bərt, this common French surname stands for ‘land’.

21. Lavigne

Vi(g)ne means ‘vineyard’ in Old French and can refer to the topographical name for someone who lived near a vineyard.

22. Lefevre

This occupational surname means ‘craftsman’ or ‘ironsmith’ in Old French. It is a variant of Lefevre, Lefebure or Lefeuvre.

23. Moreau

Originally a nickname for someone with a dark complexion More means ‘dark-skinned’ person.

24. Martin

Derived from Mars, the Roman God of War and fertility, Martin belonged to the name of the tribe of Mairtine. Its root Mar means ‘gleam’.

25. Monet

Monet is a variant of the name Simon and means ‘to be heard’.Monet is most common in the Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps.

26. Moulin

Moulin is derived from the Latin word Molina. It is commonly refers to the occupational name for a miller or mill worker.

27. Roche

In Old French, Roche means ‘rocky outcrop’. This topographic surname refers to a person who resides near hills.

28. Toussaint

This French surname of baptismal origin can be traced to the French term ‘Toussaint’ or All Saints Day.

29. Tremblay

This plural form of tremble means ‘aspen’. It could be a topographic name for a person living near a group of Aspen trees.

Rare French Surnames

The following traditional and rare French surnames with their meanings can help you get an understanding of the family lineages of French people.

1. Auguste

Auguste is extracted from the Latin personal name Agostino, which means ‘favoured with good omens.’

2. Bardin

The surname Bardin originates from the old high German name barta, which means ‘battle axe.’

3. Bastien

Bastien is a habitational name referring to people belonging to Sebaste, a town in Asia Minor.

4. Bechard

Bechard is an occupational family name that originated from the Old French term bochier, meaning ‘butcher.’

5. Benoit

Benoit is extracted from the Latin name Benedictus, referring to ‘the one who says the good’.

6. Bernier

Bernier is both a French forename and surname. It is derived from a German name, ‘bear hair.’

7. Blanchard

The family name originates from the Old French term blanchart, and means ‘bordering upon white’ and whitish.’

8. Boivin

Boivin is an extraordinary French surname. While boi means ‘to drink, vin means ‘wine.’

9. Bonne

Bonne is a variant of the French term bon, which means ‘attractive’ and ‘good.’

10. Bruneau

The French surname Bruneau means ‘brown or dark-skinned one.’

11. Carre

This French last name means “square,” referring to families who resided close to a square field or landmark.

12. Charbonnier

Charbonnier is an occupational family name meaning ‘who sells or makes charcoal.’

13. Chopin

Ever heard of the famous composer and pianist perfectionist, Frédéric François Chopin? This is the same surname we are going to explore. Chopin is derived from the Old French term chopine, which refers to ‘a medieval measure of liquid.’

14. Comtois

Comtois is a habitational surname for people from Franche-Comte, a province in eastern France.

15. Crozier

This is an occupational family name for people who carry a cross or bishop’s crook in religious processions.

16. Droit

Droit comes from the French word for “straight,” and may have been given to a person admired for honesty.

17. Forestier

Forestier is an occupational surname derived from the Old French term foret, meaning ‘forest.’ The surname refers to ‘the keeper of the king’s forest.’

18. Geiger

Geiger is an occupational family name of French origin, referring to someone who makes or plays the violin. It is made from the old French term gigaere, meaning ‘violin or fiddle player.’

19. Lagrange

Lagrange is a situational surname of French origin for people who live by granaries.

20. Lamar

This Old French term la mare originated in Normandy, northern France. It refers to ‘the pool.’

21. Leger

Leger is a French surname that translates to “light,” possibly used for a cheerful or easygoing person.

22. Lenoir

Lenoir is a French surname that means “black,” symbolizing mystery, depth, or a dark appearance.

23. Marchal

If you break the surname, you’ll find that it comes from the Old German term marah, meaning ‘horse’ and sclac, meaning ‘servant.’ Marchal could possibly be an occupational last name for people who look after horses.

24. Plessis

Plessis is a unique family name that means ‘a fence made of interwoven branches.’ It is also often written as de Plessis and Plessy.

25. Porcher

Porcher is derived from the French term porchier which means ‘swineherd.’ It could possibly be an occupational name for a person who rears pigs.

26. Renouard

Renouard is quite an unusual French surname and has German origins. It means ‘counsel rule.’

27. Rutter

This French surname enjoys two possibilities. 1. It could have derived from Old French terms roteor, roteeur, and routeer, and refer to an individual who plays the rote. 2. It could have derived from the Old French term rotier or routier, and refer to ‘highwayman.’

28. Tardy

Tardy is a French surname that means “slow” or “gentle,” likely describing a person with a calm temperament.

29. Verville

This French surname is possible to have derived from French terms vert and ville, together meaning ‘green town.’

30. Violette

A French last name meaning “violet,” taken from the flower, symbolizing modesty and beauty.

FAQs

1. What are the most common French last names?

Some of the most common French surnames include Martin, Bernard, Dubois, Thomas, and Robert.

2. Do French last names have meanings?

Yes, many surnames are linked to occupations (e.g., Boulanger – baker), geography (e.g., Dupont – from the bridge), or parent names.

3. How can French surnames help in tracing family history?

French surnames often reflect lineage, region, or profession, making them useful for discovering ancestral backgrounds.

French last names are intriguing and stylish. Whether you’re an author naming a character or someone seeking an alter-ego, this list of French family names and meanings will help you choose surnames that add elegance and charm to your personality.

Infographic : French Last Names or Surnames With Meanings

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Southern Last Names or Surnames with Meanings

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Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.