Surname Dubois - Meaning and Origin

Exploring the Intriguing Historical and Cultural Journey of the Dubois Lineage through DNA

The iGENEA DNA test findings unveiled fascinating insights into my lineage through my surname, Dubois. Spanning generations, from the verdant forests of medieval Normandy to the Viking invasions, and across the Atlantic to the Americas, my roots intertwine with crucial historical eras and events.

U. Dubois

Dubois: What does the surname Dubois mean?

Dubois is a French surname which translates to "of the wood" or "from the wood" in English. It is derived from two French words, "du," meaning “from” and "bois," meaning “wood.” This name suggests that the earliest bearers of the surname likely resided near a forest or woodland. The name became popular due to its frequent use in various regions across France. Over time, it has been anglicized to forms such as Duboise, DuBois, DuBoise, among others. It's also important to note that Dubois is a fairly common surname in France and among French-speaking populations worldwide. Well-known individuals bear this surname: for instance, W. E. B. DuBois, an American sociologist and civil rights activist, and Alison Dubois, an American author and purported medium. Despite the different spelling variations, and geographical and historical backgrounds, the Dubois surname remains connected to its French woodland roots.

Dubois: Where does the name Dubois come from?

The surname Dubois is of French origin, literally translating to "of the woods" or "from the woods". It comes from a topographic name for someone living near a wood or a forest. This surname first appeared in Flanders, where the family held a family seat from ancient times.

Today, Dubois is quite a common surname in France, Belgium, and Canada, particularly in Quebec due to its French-speaking population. It's also found in the United States and other countries with francophone populations or communities. However, the surname can vary in terms of pronunciation and sometimes spelling, depending on the country and the language spoken. Despite its variations, it remains one of the widely recognized French surnames across the globe.

Variations of the surname Dubois

The surname Dubois is of French origin and it means "from the forest." The name is often spelled as DuBois or du Bois, with the capital B and space commonly used to preserve the original French meaning.

Variations of the name due to misspellings, regional accents, transcription errors, or personal preference emerged over time, resulting in several related surnames. Some of these Dubois variants include Duboys, Duboy, Duboix, Duboisot, Duboissot, Dubos, Dau Bois, de Bois, and Debois.

A common occurrence across many cultures is the translation of a name’s meaning into the local language. Therefore, surnames such as "Woods" or "Forrest" may have evolved as English variants of the French surname "Dubois."

Moreover, a number of families, perhaps for reasons of immigration or naturalization, may have changed their surname from Dubois to its Dutch equivalent of "Van Der Bos", or the German equivalent of "Vom Wald."

All of these versions are considered to have the same origin, preserving the integral meaning of someone living by or coming from a forested region.

Famous people with the name Dubois

• W. E. B. Du Bois: Renowned American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist.
• Marcel Dubois: Famed French folklorist and professor.
• Dominique DuBois: Known American author.
• Paul Dubois: Noted 19th-century French sculptor.
• Toussaint Louverture Dubois: U.S. Senator from Indiana in the early 19th Century.
• Roland Dubois: A former professional ice hockey player from Canada.
• Jesse K. Dubois: American politician who served as the Auditor of Public Accounts of Illinois during the American Civil War.
• Louis DuBois: French Huguenot who co-founded New Paltz, New York.
• Louis-Paul Dubois: Acclaimed French agricultural scientist and politician.
• C. Léopold Dubois: French landscape painter of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Alison Dubois: American author and medium whose life inspired the television series ‘Medium’.
• Guy Dubois: French writer known for detective fiction.
• Eugene Dubois: Dutch paleoanthropologist and geologist.
• Blanche Dubois: Although a fictional character from the play "A Streetcar Named Desire," she is widely recognized.
• Pierre DuBois: In addition to being a fictional character from X-Men, there are multiple less-known individuals with this name.
• Guillaume Dubois: A French cardinal and statesman in the 18th century.

Other surnames

DuboiceDuboise