Surname Dauphinee - Meaning and Origin

Dauphinee: What does the surname Dauphinee mean?

The last name Dauphinee is of French origin and is believed to have originated from the Old French word dauphin meaning “dolphin” or “prince.” As a result, the name can indicate either a princely heritage or imply a person’s good looks or grand manner. The name could also be derived from a regional term associated with the Dauphiné region of southeastern France, which, in modern French, is called Isère. The province’s name originated in its role as the domain of the Dauphin, a title held by the eldest son of the French King until the French Revolution.

Dauphinee is the French spelling of the surname, but other variations include Delphin, Dauphin, and Dauphines. It first appears in records in 17th century France, where the name was associated with nobility. In Canadian history, prominent Dauphinees include Elisabeth Dauphinee (1827-1920), a Nova Scotia schoolteacher who was one of the first women to publicly advocate for women’s rights; and Henry Dauphinée (1783-1852), who served as a lieutenant-colonel in the British army during the War of 1812.

The surname Dauphinee is widely found in Canada and the United States, and in seemingly lesser numbers in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. It has come to signify differently within various cultural contexts, making it an interesting example of how surnames can both reflect and shape the course of different nationalries.

Dauphinee: Where does the name Dauphinee come from?

The surname Dauphinee has its roots in France, but it is now commonly found in many parts of the world. It is most commonly found in Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick where many families with this surname have settled. It can also be found in the United States, particularly in the states of New England, Pennsylvania, and New York.

The Dauphinees are believed to have originated in Savoy, France, and the earliest records of the surname date back to the 11th century. The original spelling of the Dauphinee surname was Dauphinois. As the bearer of this name moved to different parts of the world, the spelling of the name evolved over time.

In addition to Canada and the United States, the Dauphinee surname can also be found in other parts of the world, particularly the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. It has become particularly popular in Canada due to the large number of French-speaking settlers who have migrated there. In fact, the Province of Nova Scotia even has a town named Dauphinée!

The surname Dauphinee is a unique one, and as the number of descendants of the original Dauphinois family grows, the surname will continue to spread around the world. It is a reminder of the rich history of the ancestral French family, and it stands as a testament to the power of migration and the connection between the old and the new worlds.

Variations of the surname Dauphinee

Dauphinee is a French surname derived from the former province of Dauphiné in southeastern France. The region was historically ruled by the Dauphin, the son of the French king. As a result, this surname is most commonly found among families of French descent, although some have adopted the surname for other reasons.

The most common spelling of Dauphinee is Dauphinée. There are, however, several other variants which may be encountered, including: Daphinee, Daophinee, Daophiny, Daufin, Dauphina, Dauphine, Dauphinée, Dauphinet, Dauphinot, Delphine, Duplin, and Dupline.

Surnames derived from Dauphinee include Delphin, Delphine, Duplin, Dupline, and Duplon. These are all derived from the same French region but with one syllable added or removed.

The spelling of Dauphinee may also be found in other languages, such as Italian (Dauphinati), Spanish (Daufino), and Portuguese (Dauphiné). However, regardless of the language, the origin of the surname remains the same.

Overall, Dauphinee and its variants are relatively rare surnames. Those who share a common ancestor likely descend from the Dauphiné province of France.

Famous people with the name Dauphinee

• Paul Dauphinee: Canadian singer/songwriter from Toronto who has released a series of albums and singles since the mid-1990s.
• Nathalie Dauphinée: Quebec forensic anthropologist and biological anthropologist. She also acted as the primary author for a 2020 audit of the Quebec provincial police's laboratory services.
• George Dauphinee: Canadian racecar driver and founder of the Dauphinee racing team. He achieved his greatest success in 1965 when he won the Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport.
• Andrew Dauphinée: Canadian legal practitioner specializing in corporate and commercial law. He has been listed as a "Rising Star" by Benchmark Canada in 2020.
• Simon Dauphinée: Canadian actor, director and screenwriter, best known for his role in the popular Canadian television series “Les Boys”.
• Jacqueline Dauphinee: an award-winning Canadian playwright and ex-nun. Her plays have been produced in theatres across Canada.
• J. Albert Dauphinée: an optometrist and former Mayor of St. Johns, Newfoundland. He served multiple terms from 1992 until 2003.
• Kelly Dauphinée: Canadian professional golfer who has competed in the Symetra Tour.
• J. Claude Dauphinée: former president of the Judge’s Council in Quebec from 1979 to 1989. He also served as the first president of the new Provincial College of Judges from 1989 to 1990.
• Isaac Dauphinée: Chief of the Mi'kmaq Nation in Nova Scotia from 1750 to 1765. He was a key figure in the struggles between the French and the English for dominance in the region.

Other surnames

DauphinDauphine