Surname Boulenger - Meaning and Origin

Boulenger: What does the surname Boulenger mean?

The last name Boulenger is a French surname derived from the Old French word "boulenjer". This root word is derived from the Latin verb "bullire," meaning "to boil" or "to bubble" and first appeared in French records in their modern form as early as 1275. It was probably used as an occupational name for someone who made boiled foods or beverages, or was a seller of such items.

In its more modern form, the surname Boulenger can be traced back to the late 17th century in France. During this time, the French surname began to show up not just with its original "Boulenjer" spelling but also with the more modern spelling of Boulenger. The spelling variations of the name have included Boulengier, Boulenjay, Boulanger, Boleanger, Bolanger, Boulenguer, BolProvider, and Buolenger, among others.

Today, the Boulenger family can be found in France, Canada, and the United States. For example, the historian and editor of the Oregon Settler newspaper, J.T. Boulenger (1884-1965), was the child of French immigrants who settled in the state of Oregon.

In short, the last name Boulenger is derived from the Latin verb "bullire", meaning "to boil" and likely refers to an ancestor who was involved in the preparation or sale of boiled foods and beverages. Its spelling has evolved over the centuries, and the Boulenger family can now be found in France, Canada, the U.S., and beyond.

Boulenger: Where does the name Boulenger come from?

The last name Boulenger is most commonly found in France today. According to research, the name is the 204th most common surname in the country. The name is believed to have originated in Normandy, in northern France, where the spelling Boulangere was first recorded in 1048.

Boulenger can also be found in Belgium, where it is the 281st most common surname, and there are even some living in Canada who have adopted the name.

The Boulengers of Normandy were recorded in the area as early as the 13th century. They owned much of the land located around what is now the village of Boullenger in the Seine-Maritime department. Many of the descendants of these Boullenger families have moved away, though the family line can still be traced in some places.

Today, the descendants of the Boulengers form a large and diverse group. From the fishermen who stayed in Normandy, to the descendants who emigrated around the world, the last name Boulenger is now linked to many different cultures and countries.

Variations of the surname Boulenger

The surname Boulenger is believed to be of French origin, and in its original spelling is commonly found as Boulanger. Though it has been seen in many different spellings throughout the world, the variations are usually derived from this original spelling.

Variants of this surname include Boolanger, Boulangerie, Boulangers, Boolenger, Booleenger, and Boolengere. Spellings in other languages may include Buolènger, Boulengier, Bolanger, Boulengier, Boulenberger, Boulinguer, and Boulenfre.

Today, Boulenger can also be seen as a surname with a variety of prefixes or suffixes when combined with other names, such as Beastboulenger, Boulenger-Lafitte, de Boulenger, Dechette-Boulenger, Boulenger-Luyt, Boulenger-Tisseaux, Boulenger-Vigouroux, Jardin-Boulenger, Lahay-Boulenger, and Many-Boulenger.

The variation in spelling in the surname Boulenger is due largely to the fact that between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries there was a lack of an standardized spelling system for the French language. As a result, surnames were often written as they were understood, resulting in even further variations.

As time has passed, families with the surname Boulenger have moved to other parts of the world, such as Belgium, the US, England, Canada, and Australia, as well as other countries, leading to a further spread in its variations and spellings.

Famous people with the name Boulenger

• Georges Boulenger (1858-1937): Belgian-British zoologist who specialized in the study of reptiles and amphibians. He was the first person to describe nearly 2,000 species of fish and amphibian, and he had extensive knowledge on African and Asian fauna.
• Paul Boulenger (1859-1905): French-English cryptographer and mystic. Boulenger is best known for his book “The Kabbalah Unveiled,” which outlines the teachings of the Jewish mystical tradition.
• Agnes Boulenger (1908-1995): Belgian humanitarin who devoted her life to helping refugees, especially children. She founded refugee camps in Europe and helped many of them to legally immigrate to the United States.
• Marcelin Boulenger (1844-1912): Belgian-French botanist who was a pioneering taxonomist who was responsible for discovering and classifying hundreds of plants from Asia, Africa and South America.
• Albert Boulenger (1837-1907): Belgian-American entomologist who studied and named thousands of species of insects. He also wrote The Songs of Insects, which is still considered a classic work in the field of entomology.
• George Lawrence Boulenger (1863-1933): English-American zoologist who wrote several books on fishes and reptiles. He also described dozens of new species of fish, reptiles and amphibians.
• Dan Boulenger (1930-2007): French-born director who directed films such as The Waiter, Wild Reeds, and Smile Pretty. He was known for his psychological dramas that dealt with themes such as memory, loss, and loneliness.

Other surnames

Boulengier