French Surnames

French names are used in France and other French-speaking regions. See also about French names.
usage
Richelieu French
From the name of the town of Richelieu, derived from French riche "wealthy" and lieu "place". The historic figure Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642), born Armand du Plessis, was so-called because he became the first Duke of Richelieu. He appears in Alexander Dumas' novel The Three Musketeers (1844).
Rivière French
French cognate of Rivers.
Robert French, English
From the given name Robert.
Robin French
From the given name Robin.
Roche French
French cognate of Roach.
Roger French
From the given name Roger.
Rolland French
From the given name Roland.
Rome French, English
English and French form of Romano 2.
Romilly English, French
Originally denoted a person who came from any of the various places in northern France called Romilly or from Romiley in England.
Rose 1 English, French, German, Jewish
Means "rose" from Middle English, Old French and Middle High German rose, all from Latin rosa. All denote a person of a rosy complexion or a person who lived in an area abundant with roses. As a Jewish surname it is ornamental, from Yiddish רויז (roiz).
Rousseau French
Diminutive of Roux. A famous bearer was the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) whose ideas influenced the French Revolution.
Roussel French
French form of Russell.
Roux French
Derived from Old French ros meaning "red", from Latin russus, a nickname for a red-haired person.
Royer French
From French roue meaning "wheel", ultimately from Latin rota, an occupational name for a wheelwright.
Salmon English, French
Derived from the given name Solomon.
Salomon French, German, Jewish
Derived from the given name Salomon or Salomo.
Samson English, French
Derived from the given name Samson.
Samuel English, Welsh, French, Jewish
Derived from the given name Samuel.
Sartre French
French cognate of Sarto. A famous bearer was the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980).
Sault French
French cognate of Soto.
Sauvage French
French form of Savage.
Sauvageau French
French diminutive form of Savage.
Sauvageon French
French diminutive form of Savage.
Sauvageot French
French diminutive form of Savage.
Sauveterre French
From the name of various towns in France, derived from French sauve "safe" and terre "land".
Savatier French
From Old French savatier "shoemaker", derived from savate "shoe", of uncertain ultimate origin.
Segal 2 French
Occupational name for a grower or seller of rye, from Old French, from Latin secale "rye".
Sergeant English, French
Occupational name derived from Old French sergent meaning "servant", ultimately from Latin servire "to serve".
Séverin French
Derived from the given name Séverin.
Simon English, French, German, Dutch, Hungarian, Jewish
Derived from the given name Simon 1.
Soucy French
Originally denoted someone from French towns by this name in Aisne or Yonne, both derived from the Latin name Suciacum.
Sourd French
French cognate of Sordi.
St Martin French
From a place named for Saint Martin.
St Pierre French
From a French place named for Saint Peter.
Tailler French
Means "tailor" from Old French tailleur.
Tasse French
From Old French tasse "purse, bag", an occupational name for a maker or seller of purses.
Thayer French (Anglicized)
Americanized form of Tailler.
Thibault French
Derived from the given name Thibault.
Thomas English, Welsh, French, German
Derived from the given name Thomas.
Traver French
French variant of Travers.
Travere French
French variant of Travers.
Travers English, French
From an English and French place name that described a person who lived near a bridge or ford, or occasionally as an occupational name for the collector of tolls at such a location. The place name is derived from Old French traverser (which comes from Late Latin transversare), which means "to cross".
Traverse French
French variant of Travers.
Travert French
French variant of Travers.
Tremblay French
From French tremble meaning "aspen". It is especially widespread in Quebec, being the most common surname there.
Trudeau French (Quebec)
From a diminutive of the given name Thouroude, a medieval French form of the Norse name Torvald. This name has been borne by two Canadian prime ministers, Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1919-2000) and his son Justin Trudeau (1971-).
Victor French, English
Derived from the male given name Victor.
Vidal Spanish, Catalan, French
From the given name Vidal.
Villeneuve French
French cognate of Villanueva.
Vincent 1 English, French
From the given name Vincent.
Voclain French
From the Old French given name Vauquelin.
Wright 2 French (Anglicized)
Americanized form of Droit.