Surname Beau - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Beau: What does the surname Beau mean?
The last name Beau is believed to be of French origin, derived from an old French word “bos” meaning handsome, beautiful, or fair. It is also thought to have originated from the Latin word "bellus", meaning 'handsome' or 'beautiful'.
Given its French roots, some alternative spellings of "Beau" include Beauregard and Bellaire. It has also been adopted as a surname in other languages, such as Italian (Beauvoire) and Spanish (Beauvais).
In French, the surname Beau is often associated with nobility or royalty due to its traditional use for aristocratic families. As such, the nickname for one with the last name Beau is le Beau.
The name also has a religious significance. It is the name for Jesus in some parts of the world - an extension of the phrase, “Le Beau Dieu” (The Beautiful God).
The surname is popular in English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States. It is also commonly seen in French-speaking areas of Belgium, Switzerland, and Monaco. It is quite rare in other parts of Europe such as the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.
People with the last name Beau are believed to possess qualities of beauty, wisdom, strength, and good character. Whether someone is French, Spanish, Italian, or something else, the meaning of the name remains true - someone who is handsome and beautiful on the inside and out.
Order DNA origin analysisBeau: Where does the name Beau come from?
The last name Beau is most common in France, where it is derived from a French word meaning "handsome" or "beautiful". It can also be found throughout Europe, particularly in Belgium and Switzerland, as well as in North America, most notably in Quebec and the United States.
In the United States, the 2020 census reported the last name Beau to have over 5,000 bearers, primarily in the Southern regions of California, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Georgia. It is also present in the Mid-Atlantic states, like North Carolina, Maryland, and New Jersey, as well as in Washington, DC, and Florida, and less commonly in the other states.
In Canada, Beau can be found mainly in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, with fewer numbers in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
The name Beau is derived from the Latin/French word bellus, meaning beautiful. This is a common name given to attractive children, and it is also used as a given name in some cultures. In medieval Europe, families often bestowed it upon their sons, as a mark of respect or adoration. The French often use Beau as a surname to signify nobility, status, or wealth.
Overall, the last name Beau is quite common in many parts of the world, though its prevalence is higher in some countries compared to others.
Variations of the surname Beau
The surname Beau is a French origins name, derived from the Old French adjective “bel” which means “beautiful.” The original meanings of this surname refer to an attractive person, a charming individual, or a dashing young man.
The variants for the surname Beau can include Bo, Boa, Bow, Beaux, Bell, Belle, de Beau, Bose, Boes, Beal, Beals, Boulos, Boulay, Boulais, Bouillot, Bouley, Boulogne, Boville, and Bovin.
Because of its French origins, the spelling of the name Beau also has numerous variations. Some of these can include Boa, Bo, Bohm, Bohme, Bow, Boulais, Boulaire, Boley, Boulogne, Bourgeois, Boville, Boissiere, Beauffort, Beaudoin, Beauregard, Beaujeu.
Surnames of similar origins can include Beaulieu, Beauvais, Beauchamp, and Beaufort. They all derive from the French words Beaul, bel, beau, or bon meaning “beautiful” and “good.”
In the United States, there is also an extinct surname of the same origin. This is the LeBoeuf surname, spelling variations of which include Beauf, Beauffe, Beauffy, Beaufour, and Bufe.
The surname Beau is a popular and common one and is found in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Beau
- Jeff Bezos: American technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who is the founder and CEO of Amazon.
- Stedman Graham: American educator, author, businessman, and speaker. He is best known as the long-term partner of media mogul Oprah Winfrey.
- Beau Bridges: American actor and director. He is the son of actor Lloyd Bridges and brother of actor Jeff Bridges.
- Beau Linney: Award-winning television producer and executive, known for his work with the Fox Network in the U.S. and the Global Television Network in Canada.
- Beau Dunn: Canadian American music video director and visual artist.
- Beau de Boer: Dutch racing cyclist who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Beau Donahue: American professional baseball player.
- Beau Knapp: American actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in films such as The Signal and Southpaw.
- Beau Casper Smart: American actor, stunt performer, dancer, personal trainer, fashion designer, and model.
- Beau Willimon: American playwright, screenwriter, and television producer whose work is focused around his writing for American politics.