Surname Bourgeis - Meaning and Origin
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Bourgeis: What does the surname Bourgeis mean?
The last name "Bourgeois" is of French origin and has historically represented a member of the middle class. The term was first coined in medieval France, denoting residents of boroughs, which were self-governing walled towns. These people were neither serfs nor noblemen, but artisans, merchants, or professionals who could buy or inherit property. Over time, the definition evolved to refer to a certain socio-economic class. The term is often used disparagingly to describe those concerned with property values and conventional respectability. It's noteworthy that the name may convey different implications based on whether it's being used in a French or English context. Temporarily setting aside its class-based connotations, as a surname, it could also simply signal geographic or familial origin, like many surnames do.
Order DNA origin analysisBourgeis: Where does the name Bourgeis come from?
The surname Bourgeis is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French term "bourgeis" meaning a town dweller. In the Middle Ages, Bourgeis was commonly adopted by those who lived in the urban areas, particularly the merchants and craftsmen.
The first known recordings of the name date back to 13th century France but it has various spelling forms such as Bourgeois, Le Bourgeois, Lebourgeois, Bourgois, Lebourgois, Bourge, and Borges in France itself.
Today, it is quite common in France, particularly in the northern parts of the country including Normandy. Outside France, the name has traveled with French immigrants and can be found in places like Canada, particularly in French-speaking Quebec, as well as in the United States. In other countries, the name may have been changed slightly to match local phonetic patterns such as "Burgess" in English-speaking nations or "Burgos" in Spanish-speaking ones.
Variations of the surname Bourgeis
The surname Bourgeis is of French origin and has appearing in different variants and spellings throughout history due to regional differences and phonetic changes. Some of these alternative spellings include Bourgeois, Lebourgeois, Bourgois, Bourgeot, Bourgeon, Bourgelas, and Bourgeault.
The name Bourgeois also has a broad geographical presence in France and other parts of Europe, which led to the formation of different surname variants. Additionally, the name traveled to the Americas with early settlers and colonial powers, where it was often Anglicized; variants like Burgess or Burger, for instance, have the same origins.
The family name Bourgeois is also found in the form of Bourges or Borgey in some regions of France. A similar surname, Bourget, is believed to be a diminutive form of Bourgeois. The name Bourdin, which can mean "little bourgeois", is another potential variant.
It should be noted that while these surnames share a root, they may not all exactly correspond to the surname "Bourgeis" in a genealogical sense. Each could potentially represent a distinct lineage, depending on individual historical circumstances. To truly trace familial connections, more specific genealogical research would be needed.
Famous people with the name Bourgeis
- Jeffrey Bourgeious: Football player for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Léonce de Lavergne Bourgeious: French politician
- Pierre Bourgeious: French philosopher
- Mathilde Bourgeious: French actress
- Jamie Bourgeious: Canadian Olympian
- Georgette Bourgeious: French novelist
- Jacques Bourgeious: French scriptwriter
- Michel Bourgeious: French film director
- Jean-Marie Bourgeious: French painter
- Louis Bourgeious: Belgian historian