The 100 Most Popular French Last Names (Audio + Meanings)

History of French Last Names

Until the 12th century in France, individuals were only called by their first name. But because of the increase in population and the many homonyms that existed, it was decided to give each social group a family French name to distinguish them from their neighbors.

To do this, many French last names were formed from the first name of the head of the family, but also from physical characteristics (hair color, skin color, build, height…), place of residence (valley, bridge, forest, river…), profession (baker, blacksmith, merchant…) or even social status (clergy, nobility, bourgeoisie).

For example, the French nobility has the suffix “De” at the beginning of the last name to differentiate themself from the people.

French surnames also have their regional specificities. For example, the names of people from the South of France (of Occitan origin) often have the suffix -ier while the family names from the North (of Germanic origin) often end in -ber or -ard.

Table of Contents

History of French Last Names
French Last Names Nowadays
List of the Most Popular French Last Names

French Last Names Nowadays

Today, France is one of the countries in the world with the most different last names (more than 1.4 million!) with one out of two French people having a very rare family name. As a comparison, a country like China has only 3000 different last names, and this number falls around 200 for countries like Vietnam and Korea.

In France, as in many countries of the world, it is traditionally the father’s name that is transmitted to the children. However, this is less and less a universal rule. Indeed, since June 18, 2003 and the law relating to the devolution of the family name in France, a child can receive the name of the father as well as that of the mother, and even both names, joined by a dash.

For centuries, France has been known as a “country of immigration”, and this is naturally reflected in the mix of last names that can be found in the hexagon. Thus, among the most common French last names, we find names of Greek and Latin origin, but also Germanic, Hispanic, or even Hebrew.

I am pretty sure if you ask French people they will say that the most popular French last name is Dupont. I guess this is probably linked to the popular Bande dessinée Tintin with the characters, the twin brothers Dupond and Dupont (different spelling but same pronunciation).

List of the Most Popular French Last Names

The following list has been developed using a statistical file from INSEE (French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) listing nearly 66 million people born in France between 1891 and 1990. The number of French people with each name, although correct at a given time, is given as a reference to give you an idea of the popularity of each name.

Martin

Number of French people with this last name: 228 857

Pronunciation: \maʁ.tɛ̃\

Meaning: Name derived from Mars, God of War in Roman mythology.

Bernard

Number of French people with this last name: 120 573

Pronunciation: \bɛʁ.naʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “bern” (bear) and “hardt” (strong).

Thomas

Number of French people with this last name: 108 141

Pronunciation: \to.ma\

Meaning: Name of Aramaic origin which means “twin”.

Petit

Number of French people with this last name: 105 463

Pronunciation: \pə.ti\

Meaning: French patronymic designating a man of small size.

Robert

Number of French people with this last name: 102 950

Pronunciation: \ʁɔ.bɛʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “hrod” (glory) and “berht” (bright).

Richard

Number of French people with this last name: 99 920

Pronunciation: \ʁi.ʃaʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin derived from “ricohard” (powerful leader).

Durand

Number of French people with this last name: 99 614

Pronunciation: \dy.ʁɑ̃\

Meaning: French family name coming from the Latin verb “indurare” (to harden the body).

Dubois

Number of French people with this last name: 98 951

Pronunciation: \dy.bwa\

Meaning: French family name given to people living near a wood.

Moreau

Number of French people with this last name: 94 261

Pronunciation: \mɔ.ʁo\

Meaning: Family name from the North of France designating an individual with dark skin.

Laurent

Number of French people with this last name: 88 803

Pronunciation: \lo.ʁɑ̃\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin derived from “laurus” (laurel) given to those who wore the laurel crown.

Simon

Number of French people with this last name: 87 941

Pronunciation: \si.mɔ̃\

Meaning: Name of Hebrew origin derived from “shimeone” (God has heard).

Michel

Number of French people with this last name: 85 489

Pronunciation: \mi.ʃɛl\

Meaning: Name of Hebrew origin derived from “mikael” (who is like God).

Lefebvre

Number of French people with this last name: 82 522

Pronunciation: \lə.fɛvʁ\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin derived from “faber” designating a blacksmith or a goldsmith.

Leroy

Number of French people with this last name: 79 204

Pronunciation: \lə.ʁwa\

Meaning: Popular French last name from Northern France derived from the nickname that was given to the winner of the bow game.

Roux

Number of French people with this last name: 69 685

Pronunciation: \ʁu\

Meaning: French last name particularly popular in the South of France designating an individual with red hair.

David

Number of French people with this last name: 69 212

Pronunciation: \da.vid\

Meaning: Name of biblical origin meaning “beloved”.

Bertrand

Number of French people with this last name: 66 763

Pronunciation: \bɛʁ.tʁɑ̃\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “hramn” (raven) and “berht” (bright).

Morel

Number of French people with this last name: 66 417

Pronunciation: \mɔ.ʁɛl\

Meaning: French surname derived from “maure” designating an individual with dark skin.

Fournier

Number of French people with this last name: 65 758

Pronunciation: \fuʁ.nje\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin derived from “furnus” designating the baker (who takes care of the bread oven / four = oven).

Girard

Number of French people with this last name: 64 031

Pronunciation: \ʒi.ʁaʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “ger” (throw) and “hard” (strong) designating valiant and courageous warriors.

Bonnet

Number of French people with this last name: 63 085

Pronunciation: \bɔ.nɛ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin designating a good person.

Dupont

Number of French people with this last name: 63 035

Pronunciation: \dy.pɔ̃\

Meaning: French family name given to people living near a bridge.

Lambert

Number of French people with this last name: 63 026

Pronunciation: \lɑ̃.bɛʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “land” (country) and “berht” (bright).

Fontaine

Number of French people with this last name: 62 869

Pronunciation: \fɔ̃.tɛn\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin derived from “fontana” given to people living near a water source or a fountain.

Rousseau

Number of French people with this last name: 62 193

Pronunciation: \ʁu.so\

Meaning: French family name diminutive of “roux” designating an individual with red hair.

Vincent

Number of French people with this last name: 60 751

Pronunciation: \vɛ̃.sɑ̃\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin derived from “vincens” (the one who triumphs).

Muller

Number of French people with this last name: 58 811

Pronunciation: \my.lœʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin derived from “mülhe” (mill).

Lefèvre

Number of French people with this last name: 58 158

Pronunciation: \lə.fɛvʁ\

Meaning: Variant of Lefebvre, name of Latin origin derived from “faber” designating a blacksmith or a goldsmith.

Faure

Number of French people with this last name: 58 097

Pronunciation: \fɔʁ\

Meaning: Name of Occitan origin, from the Latin “faber”, designating a blacksmith.

André

Number of French people with this last name: 57 349

Pronunciation: \ˈæn.dɹeɪ\

Meaning: Name of Greek origin derived from “andros” (man) designating a manly person.

Mercier

Number of French people with this last name: 57 294

Pronunciation: \mɛʁ.sje\

Meaning: French family name, from the Latin “merx” (merchandise), designating a merchant.

Blanc

Number of French people with this last name: 57 127

Pronunciation: \blɑ̃\

Meaning: French family name popular in the South of France designating an individual with white hair.

Guerin

Number of French people with this last name: 56 839

Pronunciation: \ɡɛ.ʁɛ̃\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin derived from “warino” (protector).

Boyer

Number of French people with this last name: 56 246

Pronunciation: \bwa.je\

Meaning: French last name designating the herdsman (the one who keeps the oxen).

Garnier

Number of French people with this last name: 56 244

Pronunciation: \ɡaʁˈniːɐ̯\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “wara” (protection) and “hari” (army) given to tribal chiefs.

Chevalier

Number of French people with this last name: 54 468

Pronunciation: \ʃə.valje\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin derived from “caballus” designating the one who rides.

François

Number of French people with this last name: 54 107

Pronunciation: \fʁɑ̃.swa\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin derived from “franciscus”, relating to the francs, designating a free man.

Legrand

Number of French people with this last name: 53 523

Pronunciation: \lə.ɡʁɑ̃\

Meaning: French family name popular in the North designating a man of great height.

Gauthier

Number of French people with this last name: 53 168

Pronunciation: \ɡo.tje\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “waldan” (to govern) and “hari” (army) given to warlords.

Garcia

Number of French people with this last name: 52 739

Pronunciation: \ɡaʁ.sja\

Signification : Name of Basque origin derived from “gazte” which indicates someone young.

Perrin

Number of French people with this last name: 51 818

Pronunciation: \pɛ.ʁɛ̃\

Meaning: Variant of Pierre, French name, from the Latin “petrus”, designating a form of stone.

Robin

Number of French people with this last name: 51 038

Pronunciation: \ʁɔ.bɛ̃\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin, derived from Robert, composed of “hrod” (glory) and “berht” (bright).

Clément

Number of French people with this last name: 50 448

Pronunciation: \kle.mɑ̃\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin derived from “clementis” designating someone good and peaceful.

Morin

Number of French people with this last name: 49 974

Pronunciation: \mɔ.ʁɛ̃\

Meaning: French family name derived from “maure” designating an individual with dark skin.

Nicolas

Number of French people with this last name: 49 022

Pronunciation: \ni.kɔ.la\

Meaning: Name of Greek origin derived from “nikelaos” composed of “nike” (victory) and “laos” (people).

Henry

Number of French people with this last name: 48 972

Pronunciation: \ɑ̃.ʁi\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “haim” (house) and “ric” (powerful).

Roussel

Number of French people with this last name: 48 889

Pronunciation: \ʁu.sɛl\

Meaning: French last name diminutive of “roux” designating an individual with red hair.

Mathieu

Number of French people with this last name: 48 764

Pronunciation: \ma.tjø\

Meaning: Name of Hebrew origin composed of “matit” (gift) and “yah” (God), gift of God.

Gautier

Number of French people with this last name: 48 304

Pronunciation: \ɡo.tje\

Meaning: Variant of Gauthier, name of Germanic origin composed of “waldan” (to govern) and “hari” (army) given to the leaders of war.

Masson

Number of French people with this last name: 48 076

Pronunciation: \ma.sɔ̃\

Meaning: Name of Aramaic origin, affectionate diminutive of Thomas, meaning “twin”.

Marchand

Number of French people with this last name: 46 626

Pronunciation: \maʁ.ʃɑ̃\

Meaning: French last name popular in the North, from the Latin “mercatus” (market), designating a merchant.

Duval

Number of French people with this last name: 46 424

Pronunciation: \dy.val\

Meaning: French surname for someone living in a valley.

Denis

Number of French people with this last name: 45 022

Pronunciation: \də.ni\

Meaning: Name of Greek origin from Dionysus, god of celebration and wine.

Dumont

Number of French people with this last name: 44 623

Pronunciation: \dy.mɔ̃\

Meaning: French last name for someone living on a hill.

Marie

Number of French people with this last name: 44 490

Pronunciation: \ma.ʁi\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin from “maritus” (married) given to the young married couple.

Lemaire

Number of French people with this last name: 44 357

Pronunciation: \lə.mɛʁ\

Meaning: French last name for a municipal magistrate.

Noël

Number of French people with this last name: 44 245

Pronunciation: \nɔ.ɛl\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin from the expression “dies natalis” (the day of the birth) designating an individual born during the Christmas period.

Meyer

Number of French people with this last name: 43 485

Pronunciation: \maɪ̯ɐ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin derived from “maier” (major) designating a tenant farmer.

Dufour

Number of French people with this last name: 43 324

Pronunciation: \dy.fuʁ\

Meaning: French family name popular in the North designating the baker (who takes care of the bread oven).

Meunier

Number of French people with this last name: 43 171

Pronunciation: \mø.nje\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin from “molinarius” given to the operators of cereal mills.

Brun

Number of French people with this last name: 42 126

Pronunciation: \bʁœ̃\

Meaning: French last name popular in Provence and in the Rhône-Alpes region designating an individual with brown hair.

Blanchard

Number of French people with this last name: 42 062

Pronunciation: \blɑ̃.ʃaʁ\

Signification : Variant of Blanc, name of Germanic origin designating an individual with white hair.

Giraud

Number of French people with this last name: 41 518

Pronunciation: \ʒi.ʁo\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “ger” (spear) and “waldan” (to rule) given to warriors.

Joly

Number of French people with this last name: 41 250

Pronunciation: \ʒɔ.li\

Meaning: French last name from the old French “jolif” given to a cheerful, joyful, and pleasant individual.

Rivière

Number of French people with this last name: 41 202

Pronunciation: \ʁi.vjɛʁ\

Meaning: French family name for someone living near a river.

Lucas

Number of French people with this last name: 41 133

Pronunciation: \ly.ka\

Meaning: Name of Greek origin derived from “loukas” (light) given to someone pure and brilliant.

Brunet

Number of French people with this last name: 41 008

Pronunciation: \bʁy.nɛ\

Meaning: Variant of Brun, French family name designating an individual with brown hair.

Gaillard

Number of French people with this last name: 40 816

Pronunciation: \ga.jaʁ\

Meaning: Name of Celtic origin from “galia” (power) given to someone particularly strong.

Barbier

Number of French people with this last name: 40 258

Pronunciation: \baʁ.bje\

Meaning: French last name designating someone working as a barber.

Arnaud

Number of French people with this last name: 40 132

Pronunciation: \aʁ.no\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “am” (eagle) and “wald” (to rule) given to warlords.

Martinez

Number of French people with this last name: 40 086

Pronunciation: \maʁ.ti.nɛz\

Meaning: Name of Hispanic origin designating the son of the one called Martin. Martin coming from Mars, roman god of war.

Gérard

Number of French people with this last name: 39 969

Pronunciation: \ʒe.ʁaʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “ger” (lance) and “hard” (hard).

Roche

Number of French people with this last name: 39 242

Pronunciation: \ʁɔʃ\

Meaning: French family name popular in the Massif Central designating someone living in a castle built on rock.

Renard

Number of French people with this last name: 38 621

Pronunciation: \ʁə.naʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “ragin” (advice) and “hard” (hard).

Schmitt

Number of French people with this last name: 38 608

Pronunciation: \ʃmit\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin coming from “schmied” designating the person occupying the trade of blacksmith.

Number of French people with this last name: 38 246

Pronunciation: \ʁɔj\

Meaning: Variant of Leroy, French name derived from the nickname that was given to the winner of the bow game.

Leroux

Number of French people with this last name: 38 068

Pronunciation: \lə.ʁu\

Meaning: Variant of Roux, French family name designating an individual with red hair.

Colin

Number of French people with this last name: 37 704

Pronunciation: \kɔ.lɛ̃\

Meaning: Name of Greek origin derived from “nicolin” composed of “nike” (victory) and “laos” (people).

Vidal

Number of French people with this last name: 37 637

Pronunciation: \vi.dal\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin particularly widespread in Spain from “vitalis” (life) designating the one who is baptized.

Caron

Number of French people with this last name: 37 494

Pronunciation: \ka.ʁɔ̃\

Meaning: Name of Picardy origin designating the one who exercises the trade of cartwright (manufacturer of carts).

Picard

Number of French people with this last name: 37 404

Pronunciation: \pi.kaʁ\

Meaning: French family name which can designate the one who is native of Picardy or a worker using a pick.

Roger

Number of French people with this last name: 37 125

Pronunciation: \ʁɔ.ʒe\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “hlod” (glory) and “gari” (loan) given to the war leaders.

Fabre

Number of French people with this last name: 36 949

Pronunciation: \fɑbʁ\

Meaning: Variant of Faure, name of Occitan origin from the Latin “faber”, designating a blacksmith.

Aubert

Number of French people with this last name: 36 028

Pronunciation: \o.bɛʁ\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “adal” (noble) and “berht” (bright).

Lemoine

Number of French people with this last name: 35 486

Pronunciation: \lə.mwan\

Meaning: French last name popular in the North designating a monk in a pejorative way.

Renaud

Number of French people with this last name: 34 908

Pronunciation: \ʁə.no\

Meaning: Name of Germanic origin composed of “ragin” (council) and “waldan” (to govern) given to the warlords.

Dumas

Number of French people with this last name: 34 517

Pronunciation: \dy.ma\

Meaning: French family name popular in the South of France for someone living in a mas (isolated rural house).

Lacroix

Number of French people with this last name: 34 214

Pronunciation: \la.kʁwa\

Meaning: French surname for someone living near a cross or whose house has a cross.

Olivier

Number of French people with this last name: 33 975

Pronunciation: \ɔ.li.vje\

Meaning: Name of Occitan origin representing wisdom and peace.

Philippe

Number of French people with this last name: 33 410

Pronunciation: \fi.lip\

Meaning: Name of Greek origin composed of “philein” and “hippos” designating the one who loves horses.

Bourgeois

Number of French people with this last name: 33 394

Pronunciation: \buʁ.ʒwa\

Meaning: French family name for someone living in a town.

Pierre

Number of French people with this last name: 33 120

Pronunciation: \pjɛʁ\

Meaning: French name, from the Latin “petrus”, meaning someone living near a rock.

Benoît

Number of French people with this last name: 32 950

Pronunciation: \bə.nwa\

Meaning: Name of Latin origin from “benedictus” (blessed) given to someone blessed by the gods.

Number of French people with this last name: 32 831

Pronunciation: \rej\

Meaning: Variant of Roy, name of Occitan origin derived from the nickname that was given to the winner of the bow game.

Leclerc

Number of French people with this last name: 32 667

Pronunciation: \lə.klɛʁ\

Meaning: French family name popular in the North designating someone occupying a profession in the clergy.

Payet

Number of French people with this last name: 32 538

Pronunciation: \pa.jɛt\

Meaning: French last name common in Savoie and Reunion Island, designating the one who pays. The “t” is pronounced in Reunion Island but the French in continental France tend not to pronounce it.