Famous French Last Names: A Guide to Common and Notable Surnames

Discover the rich history and diverse meanings behind some of the most famous French last names. From iconic figures like Bonaparte and De Gaulle to everyday surnames, this list explores the origins and significance of these names, offering insights into French culture and genealogy. Whether you're researching your ancestry or simply curious about the etymology of common French surnames, this comprehensive guide provides valuable information.
1. **Achard:** meaning "noble, brave," derived from the Germanic name "Achard."
2. **Aigrain:** meaning "sharp, keen," derived from the Old French word "aigre."
3. **Alain:** meaning "handsome, noble," derived from the Germanic name "Alaun."
4. **Allain:** meaning "handsome, noble," derived from the Germanic name "Alaun."
5. **Allard:** meaning "noble, brave," derived from the Germanic name "Aldrad."
6. **André:** meaning "manly, strong," derived from the Greek name "Andreas."
7. **Anselme:** meaning "helmet of God," derived from the Germanic name "Anshelm."
8. **Arnaud:** meaning "powerful eagle," derived from the Germanic name "Arnulf."
9. **Aubry:** meaning "elf king," derived from the Germanic name "Alberich."
10. **Auvray:** meaning "golden, noble," derived from the Germanic name "Aubrey."
11. **Barthélemy:** meaning "son of Talmai," derived from the Hebrew name "Bartholomew."
12. **Bastien:** meaning "from Bastia," derived from the Italian city of Bastia.
13. **Baudoin:** meaning "bold, brave," derived from the Germanic name "Baldwin."
14. **Beaudouin:** meaning "bold, brave," derived from the Germanic name "Baldwin."
15. **Benjamin:** meaning "son of the right hand," derived from the Hebrew name "Benjamin."
16. **Bernard:** meaning "brave as a bear," derived from the Germanic name "Bernhard."
17. **Bertrand:** meaning "bright, famous," derived from the Germanic name "Bertram."
18. **Blanchard:** meaning "white, fair," derived from the Old French word "blanc."
19. **Bonaparte:** meaning "good part," derived from the Italian name "Bonaparte."
20. **Bonnet:** meaning "little hat," derived from the Old French word "bonnet."
21. **Bourgeois:** meaning "citizen, townsman," derived from the Old French word "bourgeois."
22. **Breton:** meaning "from Brittany," derived from the region of Brittany in France.
23. **Brossard:** meaning "brushmaker," derived from the Old French word "brosse."
24. **Brunet:** meaning "brown-haired," derived from the Old French word "brun."
25. **Caillet:** meaning "small stone," derived from the Old French word "caillou."
26. **Campion:** meaning "champion," derived from the Latin word "campio."
27. **Caron:** meaning "dear, beloved," derived from the Old French word "cher."
28. **Castel:** meaning "castle," derived from the Latin word "castellum."
29. **Chambon:** meaning "little field," derived from the Old French word "champ."
30. **Charbonnel:** meaning "charcoal burner," derived from the Old French word "charbon."
31. **Charpentier:** meaning "carpenter," derived from the Old French word "charpentier."
32. **Châtelain:** meaning "lord of the castle," derived from the Old French word "châtel."
33. **Chauvin:** meaning "from Chauvigny," derived from the town of Chauvigny in France.
34. **Chevalier:** meaning "knight," derived from the Old French word "cheval."
35. **Clerc:** meaning "clerk, scholar," derived from the Latin word "clericus."
36. **Colin:** meaning "young colt," derived from the Old French word "colin."
37. **Cordier:** meaning "cordmaker," derived from the Old French word "corde."
38. **Dumas:** meaning "from the house," derived from the Old French word "domus."
39. **Dupont:** meaning "from the bridge," derived from the Old French word "pont."
40. **Durand:** meaning "lasting, enduring," derived from the Old French word "dur."
41. **Faure:** meaning "smith," derived from the Old French word "faur."
42. **Fauré:** meaning "smith," derived from the Old French word "faur."
43. **Ferrand:** meaning "iron, strong," derived from the Old French word "fer."
44. **Fontaine:** meaning "fountain," derived from the Old French word "fontaine."
45. **Fournier:** meaning "baker," derived from the Old French word "four."
46. **François:** meaning "free man," derived from the Germanic name "Frank."
47. **Gaillard:** meaning "gay, joyful," derived from the Old French word "gaillard."
48. **Garnier:** meaning "warrior," derived from the Germanic name "Garin."
49. **Gautier:** meaning "battle-watch," derived from the Germanic name "Walter."
50. **Geoffroy:** meaning "peace of God," derived from the Germanic name "Geoffrey."
51. **Gérard:** meaning "spear-warrior," derived from the Germanic name "Gerhard."
52. **Germain:** meaning "brother," derived from the Latin word "germanus."
53. **Gilbert:** meaning "bright hostage," derived from the Germanic name "Gilbert."
54. **Gilles:** meaning "pledge, hostage," derived from the Germanic name "Gilles."
55. **Girard:** meaning "spear-warrior," derived from the Germanic name "Gerhard."
56. **Godard:** meaning "divine power," derived from the Germanic name "Godhard."
57. **Godefroy:** meaning "peace of God," derived from the Germanic name "Geoffrey."
58. **Goujon:** meaning "pin, peg," derived from the Old French word "goujon."
59. **Guillaume:** meaning "protector, defender," derived from the Germanic name "William."
60. **Guillemot:** meaning "little William," derived from the Germanic name "William."
61. **Guy:** meaning "leader, chief," derived from the Germanic name "Guido."
62. **Hébert:** meaning "bright, shining," derived from the Germanic name "Herbert."
63. **Henri:** meaning "ruler of the home," derived from the Germanic name "Henry."
64. **Hubert:** meaning "bright, shining," derived from the Germanic name "Herbert."
65. **Jacques:** meaning "supplanter," derived from the Hebrew name "Jacob."
66. **Jean:** meaning "God is gracious," derived from the Hebrew name "John."
67. **Jérôme:** meaning "sacred name," derived from the Hebrew name "Jeremiah."
68. **Joseph:** meaning "God will increase," derived from the Hebrew name "Joseph."
69. **Joubert:** meaning "young boar," derived from the Old French word "joubert."
70. **Laurent:** meaning "laurel," derived from the Latin word "laurus."
71. **Leclerc:** meaning "clerk, scholar," derived from the Latin word "clericus."
72. **Lefèvre:** meaning "blacksmith," derived from the Old French word "fevre."
73. **Lemaire:** meaning "mayor," derived from the Old French word "maire."
74. **Léon:** meaning "lion," derived from the Greek name "Leon."
75. **Louis:** meaning "famous warrior," derived from the Germanic name "Ludwig."
76. **Lucien:** meaning "light," derived from the Latin name "Lucius."
77. **Maillard:** meaning "bad, evil," derived from the Old French word "mal."
78. **Marcel:** meaning "warlike," derived from the Latin name "Marcellus."
79. **Maréchal:** meaning "marshal," derived from the Old French word "maréchal."
80. **Martin:** meaning "warlike," derived from the Latin name "Martinus."
81. **Masson:** meaning "mason," derived from the Old French word "masson."
82. **Mathieu:** meaning "gift of Yahweh," derived from the Hebrew name "Matthew."
83. **Maurice:** meaning "dark-skinned," derived from the Latin name "Mauricius."
84. **Michel:** meaning "who is like God?" derived from the Hebrew name "Michael."
85. **Moreau:** meaning "dark-haired," derived from the Old French word "more."
86. **Moretti:** meaning "little Moor," derived from the Italian word "moro."
87. **Nicolas:** meaning "victory of the people," derived from the Greek name "Nicholas."
88. **Olivier:** meaning "olive tree," derived from the Latin name "oliva."
89. **Pascal:** meaning "Easter," derived from the Latin word "pascha."
90. **Paul:** meaning "small," derived from the Latin name "Paulus."
91. **Perrin:** meaning "Peter," derived from the Greek name "Petros."
92. **Philippe:** meaning "lover of horses," derived from the Greek name "Philippus."
93. **Pierre:** meaning "stone, rock," derived from the Greek name "Petros."
94. **Poirier:** meaning "pear tree," derived from the Old French word "poire."
95. **Poulain:** meaning "foal," derived from the Old French word "poulain."
96. **Rabelais:** meaning "from the rabelais (a musical instrument)," derived from the French word "rabelais."
97. **Raymond:** meaning "wise protector," derived from the Germanic name "Raymond."
98. **René:** meaning "reborn," derived from the French name "René."
99. **Richard:** meaning "powerful ruler," derived from the Germanic name "Richard."
100. **Robert:** meaning "bright fame," derived from the Germanic name "Robert."
101. **Roger:** meaning "famous spear," derived from the Germanic name "Roger."
102. **Roland:** meaning "fame in battle," derived from the Germanic name "Roland."
103. **Rousseau:** meaning "redhead," derived from the Old French word "rous."
104. **Roy:** meaning "king," derived from the Old French word "roi."
105. **Saint-Pierre:** meaning "Saint Peter," derived from the Greek name "Petros."
106. **Salomon:** meaning "peaceful," derived from the Hebrew name "Solomon."
107. **Simon:** meaning "hearing," derived from the Hebrew name "Simon."
108. **Stéphane:** meaning "crown, wreath," derived from the Greek name "Stephanos."
109. **Thibault:** meaning "bold, brave," derived from the Germanic name "Theobald."
110. **Thomas:** meaning "twin," derived from the Aramaic name "Thomas."
111. **Toussaint:** meaning "all saints," derived from the French word "tous."
112. **Valois:** meaning "valley," derived from the Old French word "val."
113. **Vincent:** meaning "conquering," derived from the Latin name "Vincentius."
114. **Violette:** meaning "violet," derived from the Latin word "viola."
115. **Virot:** meaning "green, verdant," derived from the Old French word "vert."
116. **Xavier:** meaning "new house," derived from the Basque name "Xabier."
117. **Yves:** meaning "yew tree," derived from the Welsh name "Iefan."