33 Most Common French Last Names and Meaning

French is spoken in 51 countries around the world. It is estimated that about 35% of English words come from French. As such, I have hand-picked 33 most common French last names with meanings included.

Durand

Durand means enduring and is from the Latin name Durandus. French former footballer Alain Durand played as a midfielder for Troyes.

Martin

Martin means ”god of war” or ”dedicated to Mars.” In France Martin has its origins in Martin of Tours who is the patron saint of soldiers and conscientious objectors.

Lefebvre

Lefebvre comes from the Old French fevre that means ”craftsman.” The English Feaver has roots in Lefebvre.

Bernard

Bernard is from the West Germanic Bernhard that is symbolizing strong as a bear. About 1 in 400 Frenchmen is named Bernard.

Roux

Roux is from the Old French rous and means ”red” or ”red-haired.”

Dubois

Dubois means ”from the woods” and has origins in the French phrase du bois. Dubois is also spelled Du Bois or DuBois. Guillaume Dubois was a French cardinal and a minister in the administration of Philippe II.

Vincent

Vincent is the name of the French bishop, Vincent of Digne. Vincent comes from Latin vincere and means ”to conquer.”

Mathieu

Mathieu is linked to the Hebrew Mattithiah which is symbolizing ”gift of Yahweh.” It also originates in the Ancient Greek Matthaios.

Mercier

Mercier is an occupational name that means ”merchant.” Mercier comes from the Latin merciarius (”one who trades”). The English version is Mercer.

Michel

It is the French variant of Michael. Michel has Hebrew origins and is meaning ”one who is like God.” In the Bible Michael is the chief of the angels and archangels

Robert

Robert has its origins in the Old Germanic Hrodebert (shining with glory).

Bertrand

Bertrand means “a stately hero” and also has Germanic roots. French film director Bertrand Blier bore this name.

Facts about the French language

The French language has many words that don’t have an English translation.

French is the fifth most widely spoken language in the world. The majority of people speaking French do not live in France.

French is the official language of the United Nations.

French is an official language in 26 countries.

Richard

Richard is from Old High German ”Ricohard” and has a meaning that I like, “strong in rule.” Riccardo is the variant in Italian, Ricardo in Spanish and Portuguese and Rickard in Swedish. Richard I was the Count of Rouen.

Fournier

Fournier is a French occupational name for ”baker.” It comes from the Latin furnarius.

Rousseau

Rousseau means red-haired or red and is from the French word ”roux.”

Petit

Petit means little or small. It is pronounced “puh-TEE” and it was popular in the medieval era in France as a nickname.

READ MORE: 30 Chinese Boy Names

Blanc

Blanc is symbolizing ”fair” or ”white.” Laurent Blanc played 97 games for the French football national team.

Leroy

Leroy means “the king” and has Norman roots. Lee Roy and Leeroy are other forms.

Dumont

Dumont is a French topographical name and is from the Old French du mont that means “of the mount.” Dumont is in the top 50 most common last names in France.

Moreau

Moreau has its origins in the Old French word more (dark-skinned). Moreau was initially used as a nickname for someone with dark skin.

Gauthier

Gauthier is symbolizing “powerful warrior” or “ruler of the army.” Gauthier de Costes was a French novelist who wrote several long heroic romances.

Simon

Simon means listening or to hear. Simonne is a French feminine form of Simon.

How to pick a good French name for your baby

Ask family and friends for ideas.

Don’t forget to consider nicknames.

You may want to double-check the meaning of the French name.

Laurent

Laurent finds its origins in the French language and is Roman Laurentius which means “from Laurentum.” The feminine form of Laurent is Laurence.

Perrin

Perrin means stone or rock. Perrin is a diminutive of Pierre or Peter. Peter xcomed directly from the Greek Petros.

Morel

Morel means “dark” and fits well for Gothic parents ( I also wrote an article about Gothic names).

Fontaine

Fontaine is a topographic surname for someone who lived near a well or a spring. La Fontaine and de La Fontaine Fountain are all common variants.

Girard

Girard comes from Germanic elements ger (that means ”spear”) and hard (strong).

André

André is the French variation of the Greek Andreas and is meaning warrior or brave.

Lefèvre

Lefèvre is one of the most common surnames in France. It is an occupational name referring to “the ironworker.”

Guerin

Guerin has its origins in the Old French guarin and is symbolizing “to watch” or ”to guard.”

Dupont

Dupont means “of the bridge.”

Chevalier

Chevalier is from the Latin word caballarius (rider).

Lambert

Famous throughout the land.