The Huguenots were French Protestants who faced intense persecution in Catholic France, especially following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Fleeing religious oppression, many Huguenots resettled in England, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, and colonial America. These refugees carried with them not only their beliefs and skills but also their family names. Today, many descendants around the world bear Huguenot surnames that trace back to this influential group. This topic presents a detailed overview and a complete list of Huguenot surnames to aid researchers, historians, and genealogists seeking Huguenot ancestry.
Origins of Huguenot Surnames
Huguenot surnames typically reflect their French origins. Many derive from occupations, geographic locations, personal traits, or family relationships. Over time, names were often anglicized, Germanized, or adapted to local languages in countries where the Huguenots resettled. However, many original French forms survive in family trees and historical records.
Types of Huguenot Names
- Occupational Names: Based on professions, such as Boucher (butcher) or Fournier (baker).
- Toponymic Names: Derived from places, such as Lemoine (from Maine) or de la Roche.
- Descriptive Names: Reflecting traits or characteristics, like LeBlanc (the white/fair one) or Petit (small).
- Patronymic Names: Based on ancestors’ names, such as Jean or Pierre.
Migration and Name Variants
As Huguenots migrated, their surnames were often modified to fit new linguistic contexts. In England, for example, names like Dubois became Wood, and LeJeune became Young. In Germany and the Netherlands, similar transformations occurred. Tracing these names through their many forms can provide key insights into Huguenot family history.
Common Adaptations
- French ‘de la Fontaine’ â English ‘Fountain’
- French ‘Chevalier’ â English ‘Knight’
- French ‘Noël’ â Dutch/German ‘Noel’ or ‘Nowell’
Complete List of Huguenot Surnames
Below is a comprehensive list of known Huguenot surnames, many of which appear in historic records, Huguenot church registries, and genealogical studies. This list includes both original and anglicized forms where available.
Alphabetical Huguenot Surname List
AC
- Abadie
- Allaire
- Amiel
- Audibert
- Barbier
- Beauchamp
- Bellanger
- Benoît
- Bernier
- Bertrand
- Boileau
- Bonnet
- Boucher
- Bourdon
- Brunet
- Buisson
- Caillard
- Carre
- Chamberlain
- Chapelain
- Chardin
- Chevalier
- Chollet
- Clément
- Collet
DF
- D’Aubigné
- Delaunay
- Delorme
- Denis
- Deschamps
- Desrosiers
- Drouin
- Dubois
- Dufour
- Dumont
- Durand
- Duval
- Favre
- Félix
- Fleury
- Fontaine
- Fournier
- Frémont
GJ
- Garnier
- Gautier
- Giraud
- Giroux
- Gouin
- Grégoire
- Guérin
- Guibert
- Jacques
- Janvier
- Jolivet
- Joubert
KM
- Lafleur
- Lafont
- Lamarre
- Lamy
- Langevin
- Laurent
- Lavigne
- Lemoine
- Lenoir
- Leroux
- Lévesque
- Loisel
- Marcoux
- Martel
- Martin
- Masson
- Mercier
- Monet
NR
- Navarre
- Neveu
- Noël
- Olivier
- Pain
- Paré
- Pélissier
- Perrault
- Petit
- Pichon
- Pineau
- Poitier
- Renaud
- Renou
- Richer
- Rousseau
- Roux
SZ
- Sabatier
- Savary
- Séguin
- Simon
- Soulié
- Talon
- Terrien
- Texier
- Thibault
- Valentin
- Varin
- Vasseur
- Vidal
- Villeroy
Using Surnames in Genealogical Research
Knowing that a surname is of Huguenot origin can provide valuable direction for genealogical research. Many countries, including England and South Africa, maintain extensive Huguenot records, including church registers, immigration lists, and marriage records.
Tips for Tracing Huguenot Ancestry
- Check Huguenot Society archives and databases.
- Search for Protestant church records in France, the Netherlands, or Switzerland.
- Look for migration or naturalization documents in countries of settlement.
- Investigate surname variants and regional spellings.
The complete list of Huguenot surnames is more than a catalog of names it is a living testament to a resilient people who endured persecution and shaped the modern world through their courage, skill, and heritage. Whether you’re exploring family roots or studying cultural history, Huguenot surnames offer a rich and fascinating window into the past. By preserving and studying these names, we honor the legacy of those who sought religious freedom and contributed significantly to the nations that welcomed them.