These 100 French surnames are sure to intrigue. Some interested parties could be making a list of future baby or pet names, looking for a unique way to tie-in a French last name as either a first or middle name option. After all, whether you have visited France and fell in love with the experience, have French ancestry that you’d like to highlight, or have a soft-spot for all things French—music, film, culture, language, etc., there are many reasons why French surnames could make their way onto your own baby name or pet name list. Similarly, various artists may be interested in French surnames for the purpose of naming characters in upcoming novels or screenplays, using them in song lyrics, as inspiration for the titles of paintings, sculptures, or other artwork, and more. Reviewing a wide-ranging list of French surnames and their meanings (or the “claim to fame” of a specific individual) can spark a lot of creativity and encourage the imagination. Many French surnames have noticeable characteristics such as beginning with Des- or Ch-, containing the letters au or ain together, featuring double letters, ending with -er, etc. There are names that correspond with types of location, specific employment, character traits, patronymics (related to the first name of a father or ancestor), and so on. So, without further ado, say “bonjour” to this mix of common and unique French oh-la-last names that are sure to inspire!
100 French Last Names
1. Martin
This very common French last name is a patronymic from Mars, which is also the Roman god of fertility and war.
2. Petit
Unsurprisingly, this surname means “small.”
3. Garnier
While this name is well-known as a hair care and skin care brand, it’s extremely common as a French surname as well.
4. Tremblay
This location-based name refers to someone who lives near aspen trees.
5. Dumas
If this name sounds familiar, it’s likely thanks to famous French writer Alexandre Dumas.
6. Rochefort
Describing a rocky terrain, this surname also corresponds to individuals from various locations sharing the same name of “Rochefort.”
7. Bernard
A patronymic coming from the given name of Bernard.
8. Anouilh
Meaning “slow worm.”
9. Bardot
French singer, actress, and model, Brigitte Bardot, is, by far, one of the most famous individuals with this surname.
10. Matisse
A French surname derived from the first name of Matthew or Matias, meaning “gift of God.” It is an especially well-known name thanks to French artist Henri Matisse.
11. Lavigne
Someone with this last name was likely from a family who lived near a vineyard.
12. Beaufoy
This surname has a positive connotation, meaning “fair” or “good faith.”
13. Allard
Meaning “noble.”
14. Visage
This popular French surname means “face.”
15. Monet
It’s almost impossible to separate this last name from the infamous, influential French painter, Oscar-Claude Monet.
16. Barbier
An occupational surname for a barber.
17. Escoffier
Looking good—this surname means “to dress up.”
18. Thomas
This patronymic is one of the most common French surnames.
19. Descoteaux
Corresponding to someone who lived in a hilly place.
20. Tautou
French actress Audrey Tautou is especially well-known for her starring role in Amélie.
21. Cerf
Meaning “deer.”
22. Granger
An occupational name for a farm bailiff, it’s familiar in pop culture thanks to the Harry Potter character Hermoine Granger.
23. Ducasse
An individual might carry this name if their family lived in an area near an oak tree.
24. Picard
This last name would apply to a person from the Picardy, a region of France.
25. Truffaut
French film director François Truffaut was one of the founders of the French New Wave movement.
26. Couture
An occupational name for a tailor.
27. Faucher
Someone who worked in agriculture as a reaper or mower might have this surname.
28. Abadie
This location-based name typically corresponded to someone living near an abbey or chapel.
29. Chevrolet
Meaning “goat-herder.”
30. Tussaud
Marie Tussaud was a French artist known for her wax sculptures and now-infamous museum.
31. Blanchet
Derived from the French word “blanc,” which means “white.”
32. Chapelle
A surname used for someone who lived near a church or chapel.
33. Pelletier
An occupational name for a fur trader.
34. Legrand
Meaning “tall, large.”
35. Serrurier
This occupational name would generally apply to a locksmith.
36. Travers
An occupational name for someone who collected tolls from travelers.
37. Cotillard
You’re likely able to recognize French actress Marion Cotillard in films such as Inception, Midnight in Paris, and La Vie En Rose.
38. Paradis
French singer Vanessa Paradis shares children Lily-Rose Depp and Jack Depp with actor Johnny Depp.
39. Curie
A form of an Old French word meaning “stable.”
40. Bain
Meaning “bath.”
41. Gauthier
With a meaning of “forest,” this name typically applied to lumbermen.
42. Hugo
Victor Hugo is one of the most renowned French writers of all time, with works including Les Misérables, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
43. Chastain
Meaning “chestnut tree.”
44. Fontaine
This surname referred to someone who lived near a spring or well.
45. Darroze
With three Michelin stars, French chef Hélène Darroze is a force in the culinary world.
46. Boucher
An occupational name for a butcher.
47. Trottier
Talk about fit—this name means “to walk fast.”
48. LaRue
This last name corresponded to families who lived near a road or pathway.
49. Perrault
Derived from the common French first name Pierre.
50. Cadieux
One that originated in the Middle Ages, this surname holds the meaning “little fighter.”
51. Bastarache
This location-based name referred to a household living on the corner of the street or at the edge of a settlement.
52. Desjardins
A topographical surname meaning “from the garden.”
53. Archambeau
Meaning “bold, daring.”
54. Abreo
Intelligence must run in the family with a last name that means “wise counselor.”
55. Hardy
Popular French singer Françoise Hardy encompasses this surname meaning “bold, courageous.”
56. Savoy
A last name related to locational-proximity to the Western Alps.
57. Moulin
Meaning “mill.”
58. Descartes
René Descartes was a French philosopher who invented analytic geometry.
59. Marceau
French actor and mime artist Marcel Marceau was not only an influential entertainer, but part of the French Resistance during World War II as well.
60. Piaf
Meaning “sparrow,” this last name is very familiar thanks to French singer Édith Piaf.
61. Corbin
Relates to someone with dark hair, as it means “raven.”
62. Valley
This surname could apply to someone whose ancestors lived near a valley.
63. Chalamet
A local surname refers to someone who currently or once lived in the region of Lorraine in Northeastern France.
64. Pillet
Meaning “stake” or “pile.”
65. Lyon
This French surname means “fierce warrior.”
66. Bonnet
An occupational name for someone who made bonnets.
67. Badeaux
Meaning “to gape” or “to be gullible.”
68. Poirot
This job-related surname was connected to the grower and/or seller of pears.
69. Desrosiers
A topographical reference to a family who lived in an area with roses.
70. Lambert
Meaning “land.”
71. Chapdelaine
This French last name would likely refer to someone who either made or wore a particular hat or cape.
72. Barbeau
A surname connected to a family known for fishing.
73. Achard
This patronymic simply means “son of Achard.”
74. Léglise
Someone with this last name would have likely come from a family who lived near a church.
75. Richard
A very common French last name which means “powerful, brave.”
76. Debussy
Claude Debussy was an influential French composer.
77. Valjean
Jean Valjean is the protagonist of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.
78. Satre
An occupational surname for a tailor.
79. Castillon
Meaning “castle.”
80. D’aureville
This French surname holds the meaning “golden village.”
81. Dubois
Someone whose family lived or worked in the woods might have this last name.
82. Auclair
Meaning “clear.”
83. Vaux
This surname corresponded to people who were from various valley landscapes in France.
84. De la Cour
While it means “of the court,” some might be familiar with the name thanks to HarryPotter character Fleur Delacour.
85. Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg was a well-known French musician.
86. Cartier
This occupational surname originally referred to someone who worked as a carrier of goods.
87. Dupont
A topographical name corresponding to someone who lived near a bridge.
88. Pasteur
Meaning “pastor” or “shepherd.”
89. Alarie
Talk about a powerhouse family—this surname means “all-powerful.”
90. Montagne
Geographically referring to people living or working in the mountains.
91. Macron
Sound familiar? That’s likely thanks to the current president of France—Emmanuel Macron.
92. Toussaint
Meaning “all saints.”
93. Marseille
This would typically refer to someone who was from the village of Marseille.
94. Cellier
Meaning “storeroom,” similar to “cellar.”
95. Baudelaire
This French last name means “a short sword.”
96. Aguillard
A family with this surname would likely have needle-making in their occupational history.
97. Vachon
An occupational name corresponding with cow-herding.
98. D’aubert
This surname is typically linked to the first name Albert.
99. Rousseau
Meaning “red-haired.”
100. Durand
This family would likely be strong and determined, as their last name means “enduring.” Check out:- 150 funny dog names- Trendy names A-Z- 250 girl names that start with “S”- 100 boy names that start with “A”
