Surname Cornu - Meaning and Origin
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V. Cornu
read moreCornu: What does the surname Cornu mean?
The last name Cornu is from the Latin word for 'horn.' It is of French origin, most likely referring to one of two different things.
The first is derived from the French word for “cornet,” which is a type of horn used in musical ensembles and military bands. People with this surname could have been descended from a professional horn player or someone associated with a musical group.
The second explanation is linked to heraldry and coats of arms, as the cornu was used as a decorative item in these symbols. people with this surname could have belonged to a noble family that used the symbol in their coat of arms.
In some cases, the name could also be derived from the Provençal word “cornu” meaning “corner”, suggesting someone who lived near a corner. This could refer to either a geographical corner or a metaphorical corner as in a type of business or trade.
No matter the origin, the last name Cornu is a unique identifier for the people who carry it. It is a source of pride and a reminder of one’s roots. It is the legacy of the people with the last name Cornu, and is a piece of history that will continue to live on.
Order DNA origin analysisCornu: Where does the name Cornu come from?
The last name Cornu is most commonly found in France today, where it is primarily located in the French-speaking region of Brittany. This surname is associated with the village of Cornu, located near the commune of Landeleau in the Finistère department. This area is known for its rural landscapes, rolling hills, and stunning coastline, which was once the seat of the legendary Cornouaille tribe.
In France, Cornu is recognized as a regional variant of the word cornille, a French term for a place where grain was milled during the Middle Ages. Today, the last name Cornu is primarily concentrated in western France, with the most common occurrence being Brittany. It is also found in some parts of Normandy and other parts of France, as well as a handful of foreign countries like Belgium and Canada.
As with many other French surnames, the Cornu name is usually based on family affiliation and can describe relationships between families that were living in the same area. This could help explain why the surname is so common in Brittany, which is an area deeply rooted in family and cultural heritage.
The Cornu surname is still well-known in France today and continues to flourish. While the most significant concentration is in Brittany, the name is now spreading across the world and can be seen in parts of North America, Australia, New Zealand, and other areas.
Variations of the surname Cornu
The surname Cornu can have different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Most of the variations derive from regional linguistic differences and the ancestral location of the surname's origin.
Variants of the surname Cornu include Cornue, Cornuau, Cornuet, Cornues, Cornus, Cornuel, Cornul and Cornulla.
The French variant Cornuau is a combination of the Latin "cornu" meaning “horn” and "-el" meaning “of”, making Cornuau a type of patronymic name. Similarly, Cornue is another patronymic name derived from the Latin “cornu”.
In Germany, the avarition of the surname is Cornues, when it refers to a particular breed of hunting dog. It can also derive from the cpmbination of the Latin term “cornu” and the French “-el” meaning “of”.
In Spain and Portugal, the variations Cornus and Cornuel are more commonly seen. Cornus is a combination of the Latin “cornu” and Spanish “-es” meaning “son of”, making it another popular patronymic name. The Portuguese variant Cornuel is derived from the Latin “cornu”, meaning “horn” and the Portuguese “-el” denoting “son of”.
The Italian variants Cornul and Cornulla both derive the Latin “cornu” and Italian “-ul” meaning “son of”.
The original surname Cornu is still the most common in France, especially in the regions of Loire and Charente.
In conclusion, Cornu is a widespread surname with regional linguistic differences giving way to different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Cornu
- Clara Cornu: French actress and theatre director
- Sarah Cornu: French actress
- Nathalie Cornu: French Paralympic athletics competitor
- Nathalie Cornu-Gaud: French historian
- Gérard Cornu: French physicist and former president-in-office of the European Physical Society
- Fernand Cornu: Belgian lawyer and politician
- Alphonse Cornu: French mathematician and developer of telephony
- Pierre Cornu: French architect
- Sylvia Cornu: French pianist
- Jean-Baptiste Cornu: French journalist and politician