Surname Blou - Meaning and Origin
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Blou: What does the surname Blou mean?
The last name Blou is a French surname of noble origin. The name is derived from the Old French word “blou” meaning “blue”, indicating that the original bearer of this name were of noble descent and likely of higher rank. Alternatively, it may have been derived from the Middle English term “blaw”, meaning “mountain” or “hill”.
Regardless of its origin, however, the last name Blou has been in use in France since at least the 12th century. The name has been found in various regions of France, including the Paris Basin, Normandy, and Lorraine. It is believed that it is derived from the French “blouze” which was a type of cloak or cape worn by members of the medieval nobility.
The Blou family can trace its roots back to several French noble houses, including the Counts of Blou, one of the most revered families in all of French history with an illustrious history that includes the Order of the Holy Ghost, the Order of St. Michael, and the Order of St. Louis. After serving in the Crusades, the Blou family was granted lands and titles throughout France, including the Marquis de Blou.
Today, members of the Blou family can be found all over the world, often as distinguished members of various aristocratic circles. The name has also been anglicized to Blue, adding to its global influence and reach.
Order DNA origin analysisBlou: Where does the name Blou come from?
The last name Blou is still quite common today in a few countries. It originates from France and is primarily seen in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. The name is a variation of the French surname "Blondel," meaning "blond."
In France, the name Blou can be found in records dating back to at least the 13th century. Some prominent people with the name Blou include Italian writer Antonio Blou (1720-1783) and Louis-Antoine Blou (1834-1896), the mayor of Rochefort, New Caledonia.
In Belgium, the surname Blou is found primarily in the area of Wallonia, the French-speaking region.
In Switzerland, Blou is seen predominantly in the canton of Valais and has been found in Swiss records dating back to the 16th century.
The name can also be found in Luxembourg, spreading there from France around the end of the 18th century.
Today, Blou is still quite common in the areas mentioned above. However, the prevalence of the name worldwide is relatively small. Ultimately, the highest concentration of people with the last name Blou is still found in the aforementioned countries, with France being the country of origin.
Variations of the surname Blou
The surname Blou is of French origin and is derived from the French word blou which translates to “blue.” Generally, the surname is pronounced with two syllables (“Blu” and “o”) and is sometimes spelled as Blu.
The primary variant of the Blou surname is the Bleau spelling, and it is sometimes found spelled as Bleau in various records. The Bleau and Blou families are believed to share a common ancestor.
The Bleu surname is also sometimes seen, being pronounced exactly the same as the Blou or Bleau name. It is believed that Bleu is simply a variant spelling of Bleau or Blou.
To further complicate the situation, variants such as Blu, Blo, Bluh and Bluhu have also been found, as well as MacBlu and Bluette.
Families with Brun connections have the alternate spelling Blondeaux, which may have originated from Blou or Bleau.
Additionally, surnames such as Blouin, Blouinot, Blouneau, Blounet, Blouet, Blould, and Bloudeau may all be related to the Blou surname in some way.
The Blou surname is also related to names such as de Bleu, Bly, Bleuet, Bleury, Bleux, Bloyer, Leblou, Blouzard, and Blousel, making it a highly diverse surname.
It is worth noting that the variants of Blou are not all connected; each of the above have individual histories and should be researched accordingly.
Famous people with the name Blou
- Letitia Blou: South African-American actress, producer, and singer
- Felix Blou: Dutch athlete and club chairman
- Edward Blou: former British Royal Marine
- Luiz Blou: Brazilian actor and director
- Jan Blou: Dutch former footballer
- Geesje Blou: Dutch former speed skater
- Franck Blou: French composer and singer
- Bridgette Blou: American drag queen, producer, and costume artist
- Corné Blou: Dutch athlete, pole-vaulter
- Joop Blou: Dutch athlete, middle-distance runner