Surname Duvall - Meaning and Origin

Duvall: What does the surname Duvall mean?

The last name Duvall is of French origin and it means "from the valley". It is derived from the Old French 'du val', with 'du' meaning 'of' and 'val' meaning 'valley'. During the Middle Ages, it was a common practice in France to refer to people by their place of residence or origin, hence the surname Duvall was likely given to someone who lived in or near a valley. This surname is common in the northern and north-western regions of France. The name was brought to England and eventually to America by French settlers and Huguenot refugees.

Duvall: Where does the name Duvall come from?

The last name Duvall is of French origin. It is derived from the elements "Du", which means "from", and "Val", which means "valley". Therefore, the surname Duvall essentially translates to "from the valley". The name is believed to have evolved from the geographical information of the original bearers' residence or birthplace, essentially suggesting they dwelled or came from a valley.

This surname gained prominence in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, when the Normans brought it from France. Over time, due to emigration and the passage of time, the surname has spread to various parts of the world.

Today, the last name Duvall is common in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it achieves its highest density in the states of Maryland and Delaware, likely due to early settlers hailing from Norman ancestry. However, it is also prevalent in several English-speaking countries, including Australia and Canada. Despite being of French origin, its prevalence in contemporary France is relatively moderate.

Variations of the surname Duvall

The surname Duvall has quite a few variations, largely due to localization and different pronunciations resulting from the migration of families. These variants include Duval, DeVall, Devall, Duvales, and Duvaul among others.

The name is originally French and was first recorded in the northern region of Normandy. Its Norman pronunciation is Du Vahl and it is spelled as du Val in modern French. In some cases, it may also be spelled as du Vall, Duvalle, or Duvale, especially in English-speaking countries. De Val and De Vall are especially used in Spanish-speaking regions.

Additionally, D'Uval can be used as a prefix-type surname indicating possession or occupancy of a valley, which is the root-word's literal translation.

Also, the surname Duval has been transformed into other surnames such as Wall in some regions. This is a result of the phonetic similarities between the "val" portion of the name and the English word "wall". The surname Wall can commonly be found in countries like England and Ireland, which have been influenced by the Norman French.

It is also important to remember these variations can differ significantly based on geographic region and cultural influences.

Famous people with the name Duvall

• Robert Duvall: An acclaimed American actor and filmmaker known for roles in "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," and "Tender Mercies."
• Shelley Duvall: An American actress famous for her roles in "The Shining" and "Popeye." She is also a producer, writer and singer.
• Clea Duvall: An American actress, writer, producer, and director. She is known for her roles in "Argo" and "Girl, Interrupted."
• William Duvall: A Grammy-nominated musician, best known as the co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Alice in Chains.
• Jean-Paul Duvall: A French actor, known for "Two Orphans" and "Le Petit Pâtissier."
• Dominique Duvall: A Canadian model and actress, known for her appearances in Playboy.
• Dan Duvall: Known as the "Lazerdoth" comedian, he is famous for his wacky sense of humor and comedic writing.
• Jessica Duvall: An American actress known for her work in "A Better Place" and "Red State."
• John Duvall: A film actor best known for his work in "Lonesome Dove" and "Broken Trail."
• Alan Duvall: A prominent British film producer during the 1960s and 1970s.

Other surnames

Duval