Surname Chevalier - Meaning and Origin
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read moreChevalier: What does the surname Chevalier mean?
The last name Chevalier (or Cavalier in English) is derived from the late Latin word caballarius, meaning “horseman” or “knight”. It is a very old and distinguished French surname, and is associated with goodness, courage, loyalty and justice.
In France, one of the most recognized characters who carries this last name is the ‘Chevalier de Saint-Georges’, the renowned 18th century African-French nobleman, violinist, composer, and the world’s first champion fencer. The example of his life has become a symbol of courage and resilience in the face of discrimination.
Chevalier is a family name that evokes a sense of honor and ancient nobility. This is why many families have continued to bear this name with pride throughout the generations. Chevalier is also the name of several streets, cities and towns across the world, as well as one of the more popular songs from the musical Les Misérables.
In English, Chevalier is sometimes translated as ‘Knight’, but in French this word carries a greater sense of dignity and respect that is the hallmark of the Chevalier family name.
Order DNA origin analysisChevalier: Where does the name Chevalier come from?
The last name Chevalier is most popular in France, where it is the 217th most common last name. It can be found all over France, but is particularly common in Brittany and Pays de Loire. Many people with this last name spread out to other parts of the French-speaking world such as Canada, the United States, Switzerland, and Belgium.
Chevalier is a French-language word that means "knight" or "horseman." This likely explains why the name is most common in France, as it is a surname that originated among the French nobility during the Middle Ages. Several notable individuals also bore the surname, including senators, officers in the French armed forces, and well-known figures from the spell-checking, aviation, and automobile industries.
Outside of France, Canada is home to the second largest concentration of people with the name Chevalier, making up 0.2% of its population in 2016. In the United States, the name is the 7,963rd most common, accounting for 0.003% of the population. About 0.04% of people living in Belgium have the last name, while only 0.02% of people living in Switzerland do.
In short, the last name Chevalier is today most common in France, with smaller pockets of people bearing the name scattered across other French-speaking countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Chevalier
The surname Chevalier is thought to have originated in France and has long been one of the most common French surnames. Variants of this surname include Chevalier, Chevallereaux, Chevalley, and Chevaler.
Chevalier is the most commonly used spelling of this surname, derived from the Old French word, "chevaler," meaning horseman or knight. This spelling is still popular in France, Canada, and the United States, as well as many other countries.
Chevallereaux is another variant of the Chevalier surname. Its origin is derived from the old French phrase "chevalerie," meaning "a knight or a gentleman in a manor court.”
Chevalley is a variant spelling of Chevalier. It is derived from the French phrase “cheveau ley,” meaning “a knight with a horse.” This spelling is popular in Switzerland, France, and Canada.
Chevaler, another variant spelling of Chevalier, is derived from the French phrase "chevereau le,” which means “horseman.” This is one of the oldest versions of the surname, found in records dating all the way back to 1180.
In addition to these variations, there are also several surnames with the same origin as Chevalier. These include Chevallier, Chevaliers, Chevrieux, Chevrier,Chevalleau, and Cavalier. Regardless of the variant or spelling, these surnames all share a common origin, derived from the Old French for "knight."
Famous people with the name Chevalier
- Maurice Chevalier: French actor, cabaret singer, and entertainer
- Jean-Pierre Chevalier: French theoretical physicist
- Michel Chevalier: French engineer, statesman and economist
- André Chevalier: French painter and theatre set designer
- Philippe Chevalier: French sailor
- Pierre Chevalier: French cognitive scientist
- Charles Chevalier: French ophthalmologist
- Olivier Chevalier: French extreme skier
- Edmond de Chevalier: French soldier, agronomist and politician
- Jacques de Chevalier: French soldier and landowner
- Pierre-Adam de Chevalier: French lawyer and politician
- Philippe Chevalier: French archaeologist
- Princesse de Grâce-Chevalier: French author
- Léon Chevalier: French historian