Royal French Last Names: A Comprehensive List of Historic Lineage

Are you researching your French ancestry and hoping to uncover a connection to royalty? Delve into the fascinating world of French royal last names. This comprehensive list explores some of the most prominent and historic surnames associated with the French monarchy, providing insight into their origins and meanings. Whether you're a genealogist, history enthusiast, or simply curious about the legacy of French royalty, this list offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of French history.
1. **Bourbon:** Derived from the town of Bourbon-l'Archambault, it signifies "fortress town" and represents the powerful Bourbon dynasty that ruled France for centuries.
2. **Valois:** Originating from the Valois region, this name reflects the dynasty that succeeded the Capetians and produced several notable kings, including Charles VII and Louis XI.
3. **Capet:** Meaning "cape" or "hood," this name symbolizes the first dynasty of French kings, known for their long reign and significant contributions to French history.
4. **Orléans:** Named after the city of Orléans, this surname represents a branch of the Valois dynasty and is linked to the Dukes of Orléans, who played important roles in French history.
5. **Angoulême:** Derived from the town of Angoulême, this name signifies "a place of the angels," evoking a sense of divine connection and prestige.
6. **Provence:** Meaning "Provence" or "Provençal," this name reflects the historical region of Provence in southeastern France, where the Counts of Provence once ruled.
7. **Anjou:** Originating from the Anjou region, this name symbolizes a historic county and duchy that later became part of the French crown.
8. **Blois:** Named after the town of Blois, this surname signifies "place of the blond" and is associated with the Counts of Blois, a powerful family in medieval France.
9. **Champagne:** Meaning "open country," this name reflects the historical region of Champagne in northeastern France, known for its vineyards and its powerful Counts of Champagne.
10. **Aumale:** Derived from the town of Aumale, this name signifies "place of the elm trees" and represents a historical county and duchy in northern France.
11. **Armagnac:** Originating from the Armagnac region, this name signifies "strong" and reflects the historic County of Armagnac, known for its fierce independence.
12. **Vendôme:** Named after the town of Vendôme, this surname signifies "windy valley" and represents the Counts of Vendôme, a prominent family in French history.
13. **Montpensier:** Derived from the town of Montpensier, this name signifies "mountain of a pen" and reflects the historic County of Montpensier, known for its strategic location.
14. **Nevers:** Named after the city of Nevers, this surname signifies "new city" and represents the Counts of Nevers, a family with a rich history in French history.
15. **Dunois:** Derived from the town of Dunois, this name signifies "from the fortress" and is linked to Jean Dunois, a renowned military leader in the Hundred Years' War.
16. **Clermont:** Meaning "mountain of the clear water," this name reflects the town of Clermont-Ferrand and its historic significance in the Auvergne region.
17. **Dauphin:** Derived from the "dauphin" fish, which was the emblem of the Dauphiné region, this name represents the heir apparent to the French throne.
18. **La Trémoille:** Meaning "three mills," this name reflects the town of La Trémoille in the Poitou region and is associated with a powerful and influential family in French history.
19. **Saint-Pol:** Meaning "Saint Paul," this name reflects the town of Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise and its historical significance in the Pas-de-Calais region.
20. **Chambord:** Named after the Château of Chambord, this surname signifies "place of the chamber" and represents a historic castle in the Loire Valley.
21. **Fontainebleau:** Meaning "beautiful fountain," this name reflects the town of Fontainebleau and its historic significance as a royal residence.
22. **Richelieu:** Originating from the town of Richelieu, this name signifies "rich place" and is associated with Cardinal Richelieu, a prominent figure in French history.
23. **Condé:** Derived from the town of Condé-sur-l'Escaut, this name signifies "place of the count" and represents the Prince of Condé, a powerful figure in French history.
24. **Rohan:** Meaning "rocky hill," this name reflects the town of Rohan in Brittany and is associated with the Dukes of Rohan, a powerful family with a rich history.
25. **Longueville:** Meaning "long valley," this name reflects the town of Longueville-sur-Scie and is associated with the Dukes of Longueville, a prominent family in French history.
26. **Montmorency:** Meaning "mountain of Morency," this name reflects the town of Montmorency and is associated with the Lords of Montmorency, a powerful and influential family.
27. **Noailles:** Originating from the town of Noailles, this name signifies "new house" and is associated with the Dukes of Noailles, a prominent family in French history.
28. **Villars:** Meaning "villages," this name reflects the town of Villars-lès-Dombes and is associated with Marshal Villars, a renowned military leader in the 18th century.
29. **Soubise:** Derived from the town of Soubise, this name signifies "under the forest" and is associated with the Princes of Soubise, a branch of the Rohan family.
30. **Rochefoucault:** Meaning "rocky stronghold," this name reflects the town of Rochefoucault and is associated with the Dukes of Rochefoucault, a powerful family with a rich history.
31. **Polignac:** Originating from the town of Polignac, this name signifies "place of the small field" and is associated with the Dukes of Polignac, a prominent family in French history.
32. **Talleyrand:** Meaning "valley of the oak tree," this name reflects the town of Talleyrand-Périgord and is associated with Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, a prominent diplomat and politician.
33. **Montespan:** Meaning "mountain of the shield," this name reflects the town of Montespan and is associated with Françoise Athénaïs de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Marquise de Montespan, a mistress of King Louis XIV.
34. **Maintenon:** Meaning "place of the manor," this name reflects the town of Maintenon and is associated with Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon, the second wife of King Louis XIV.
35. **Épernon:** Meaning "spur," this name reflects the town of Épernon and is associated with the Dukes of Épernon, a powerful family in French history.
36. **Chevreuse:** Meaning "goat meadow," this name reflects the town of Chevreuse and is associated with Marie de Rohan, Duchess of Chevreuse, a prominent figure in French history.
37. **Marillac:** Meaning "place of the marigolds," this name reflects the town of Marillac-le-Longe and is associated with Michel de Marillac, a French statesman in the 16th century.
38. **Sévigné:** Meaning "place of the wild boar," this name reflects the town of Sévigné and is associated with Marie de Rabutin Chantal, Marquise de Sévigné, a renowned letter writer.
39. **La Fayette:** Meaning "the forge," this name reflects the town of La Fayette and is associated with Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, a prominent figure in the American Revolution.
40. **De Broglie:** Meaning "the bridge," this name reflects the town of Broglie and is associated with the Dukes of Broglie, a prominent family in French history.
41. **De Choiseul:** Meaning "the choice," this name reflects the town of Choiseul and is associated with the Dukes of Choiseul, a prominent family in French history.
42. **De Castries:** Meaning "the castle," this name reflects the town of Castries and is associated with the Dukes of Castries, a prominent family in French history.
43. **De Gramont:** Meaning "the mountain," this name reflects the town of Gramont and is associated with the Dukes of Gramont, a prominent family in French history.
44. **De Luynes:** Meaning "the wolf," this name reflects the town of Luynes and is associated with the Dukes of Luynes, a prominent family in French history.
45. **De Villeroi:** Meaning "the village," this name reflects the town of Villeroi and is associated with the Dukes of Villeroi, a prominent family in French history.
46. **De La Rochefoucauld:** Meaning "the rocky stronghold," this name reflects the town of La Rochefoucauld and is associated with the Dukes of La Rochefoucauld, a prominent family in French history.
47. **De Mortemart:** Meaning "the death of Mars," this name reflects the town of Mortemart and is associated with the Counts of Mortemart, a prominent family in French history.
48. **De Saint-Simon:** Meaning "the holy Simon," this name reflects the town of Saint-Simon and is associated with the Dukes of Saint-Simon, a prominent family in French history.
49. **De Noirmoutier:** Meaning "the black monastery," this name reflects the island of Noirmoutier and is associated with the Counts of Noirmoutier, a prominent family in French history.
50. **De Beauvau:** Meaning "the beautiful valley," this name reflects the town of Beauvau and is associated with the Princes of Beauvau, a prominent family in French history.