Surname Le Roux - Meaning and Origin

Exploring My French Roots: A Journey Through the History of Le Roux with iGENEA DNA Test

Following an iGENEA DNA test, I delved into the origins and history of my surname Le Roux, discovering its roots in France, dating back to medieval times. This journey took me across vast historical events, from the Middle Ages to two World Wars, connecting me deeply to my French heritage.

D. Le Roux

Le Roux: What does the surname Le Roux mean?

The last name Le Roux is a French surname derived from the word “roux,” meaning red-haired or a person who has reddish-brown colored hair and/or a ruddy complexion. It is also derived from the Middle French word “lorel” meaning fox.

The Le Roux surname was popular among French nobility. It was common for people in this social circle to receive noble titles such as Lord, Viscount, Baron or Duke. It is believed that a family with the Le Roux surname could trace its origins to the Middle Ages with some references to this surname in the 11th century.

The Le Roux family name can be encountered in different parts of the world with strong heritage in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. Its old French and Dutch spelling variations are Delaroux, LeRoi and Leroux.

Today, the Le Roux surname is common throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania. There are several notable individuals with this surname including French actor Thierry Le Roux, South African journalist Pierre Le Roux, and Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Le Roux.

Overall, the Le Roux surname is a French-influenced family name rooted in the Middle Ages. It is also a popular surname in many countries. With its various spelling variations, it can be found all around the world.

Le Roux: Where does the name Le Roux come from?

The last name Le Roux is common today in several countries, primarily throughout Europe. It is most prevalent in Belgium, where it originated, but is still found as far as South Africa, Australia, and the United States. Historically, the name is a French surname derived from the Old French name le Roux, meaning “the Red”.

In Belgium, the surname Le Roux is most popular in the provinces of Hainaut, Anvers, and Liege. This is due to the early settlers of Belgium, many of whom were of French descent. The family is also one of the most common of the French surnames living in Belgium today.

In the United States, the surname Le Roux is found in Louisiana, Texas, California, and New York, due to French-speaking immigrants that began to move to the United States in the 19th century. The surname is common in Louisiana because of its historic French-speaking region.

The surname also exists in Australia and in New Zealand, where it is most common in areas with large French-speaking populations, such as Sydney and Auckland.

In South Africa, the surname Le Roux is popular due to the French Huguenots, French Protestants, who moved to the country during the 18th century. The Le Roux family moved there to escape religious persecution in France. The surname is now found throughout the eastern coast, in the Free State, in the North West Province, and in the Western Cape.

Variations of the surname Le Roux

The surname Le Roux is of French origin and is derived from the Old French ‘le Rous’ meaning ‘the red’. The most common variants include LeRoux, le Roux, LeRouz, Leroux, Loroux and several others. Variations of the spelling include le Roux, leRoux, Le Roux, LeRouz, Leroux, and Leroi. It can be found in other languages such as German (Leroux), Dutch (De Roux), Italian (DeRosso) and Spanish (DeRojas).

The variations in spelling may be due to language conventions, dialects or even geographical locations. As Le Roux is a relatively common name, there are multiple surnames that share its origin, such as Roux, Zuercher, Roos, Leroi, Rossouw, de Roux, Rojas, and de Rosso. These names may be due to the French Huguenot immigrants who settled in the United States and other countries during the early 1700s.

The variations and spellings of Le Roux can help trace family history and link individuals together through shared ancestry. By searching for various combinations of the name and its variants, one can find records of local or foreign French immigrants from long ago, and uncover the origins of a family’s heritage. Knowing the variants of the name is vital in tracing ancestral roots.

Famous people with the name Le Roux

• Jean-Pierre Le Roux: Jean-Pierre Le Roux was an acclaimed French actor, director, and writer. He was best known for his theater performances and film roles in the 1980s and 90s.
• Philippe Le Roux: Philippe Le Roux is a French Olympic sailor and four-time world champion in the Open Match Racing class. He has competed in several Olympics and has won a bronze medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
• François Le Roux: François Le Roux is a classical mezzo-soprano who has performed in operas, oratorios, and concert recitals in venues all over the world.
• Alain Le Roux: Alain Le Roux is a former French football goalkeeper who made over 100 appearances for the French national team.
• Sophie Le Roux: Sophie Le Roux is a French actress and singer who has starred in French films and television shows. She is known for her unique style and singing voice.
• Thierry Le Roux: Thierry Le Roux is a French artist and painter who is best known for his abstract art.
• David Le Roux: David Le Roux is a French entrepreneur and co-founder of hosting company OVH.
• Martin Le Roux: Martin Le Roux is a French biologist and environmentalist who researches marine ecology and conservation.
• Jean-Yves Le Roux: Jean-Yves Le Roux is a former French professional tennis player who won numerous tournaments in singles and doubles during his career.
• Laurent Le Roux: Laurent Le Roux is a chef and restaurateur who is known for his modern style of cooking and his passion for French food.

Other surnames

Le RoiLe Roy