Surname Leprévost - Meaning and Origin

Leprévost: What does the surname Leprévost mean?

The last name Leprévost is a French surname derived from the Old French le and preu meaning “the price”. This is generally thought to mean “valuable” or “expensive” and likely originated as a nickname for someone who was well-off or a valuable asset in their community. It can also be a variation of the name Preust, which is derived from Latin præstare, meaning “to surpass, to exceed”.

The original name with which Leprévost is associated was le Pruvost, meaning “the Brave”, which is a common French name used to designate a brave person. This could very well be the origin of the Leprévost surname, as it relates to being brave and surpassing the expectations of one's peers.

The Leprévost surname is common throughout France, and has been in France since at least the 15th century. It has since spread throughout the world, with many variant forms, as Luxembourg, Canada, and the United States all contain substantial populations of Leprévosts. Today, the surname is a reminder of a family’s legacy as a brave and valuable asset, standing the test of time.

Leprévost: Where does the name Leprévost come from?

The last name Leprévost is typically found throughout France, Belgium, Luxembourg and parts of North America. The most common country where Leprévost is located today is France. This is likely due to a combination of France's long history and its large population size. According to one source from 2015, close to 22,000 individuals living in France currently share this last name.

In Belgium, the last name is less common, but approximately 4,000 individuals living in the country still use Leprévost. In Luxembourg, the last name Leprévost is also relatively rare. However, records indicate that over one hundred people in the small country still bear this unique surname.

In North America, the last name is especially prominent in the United States. The most popular U.S. state for those bearing this name is Massachusetts, with an estimated 300 residents using it in 2015. The last name Leprévost is also found in smaller numbers throughout other parts of Canada and the United States.

To sum up, Leprévost is most common in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and parts of North America. Those living in France represent the largest population of people who bear this last name. Of those in North America, the majority live in Massachusetts and other parts of the U.S. and Canada.

Variations of the surname Leprévost

Leprévost is a French surname that is thought to have originated in Normandy around the 13th century. It has many cousins and variants, including Le Prevost, Leprevost, Le Prévost, Le Prevault, Prévost, Prevost, Prévault, Prevault, Puévost, Puévarre, Puevost, Puevaux, Puevarre, Puevar, and Puevarre. It is likely derived from the Old French word "preeves" (meaning bailiff).

The variants of Leprévost are generally distinguished by spelling in different regions, as well as patronymic surnames derived from the father's name. For example, Le Prevost originated in the west of France, while Leprevost and Le Prévost are more common in eastern parts. Prévost, Prevost and Prevault are also derivatives of the original Leprévost.

The patronymic variants, such as Puévost, Puévarre, Puevost, Puevaux, Puevarre, Puevar, and Puevarre, are usually localized to one region. They are derived from the father's name, thus it is not uncommon to find multiple surnames with the same origin within one region. For instance, Leprevost and Prévost may both be found in northern parts of France, but are usually distinct from each other.

In summary, Leprévost is a French surname that has a myriad of variants and derivatives throughout different regions. It is likely derived from the Old French word "preeves" which means bailiff. Common derivatives include the localized patronymic surnames, while other more widely distributed variants such as Le Prevost, Leprevost, and Le Prévost are also distinguished by local spellings.

Famous people with the name Leprévost

• Nicolas Leprêvost: Professional show jumping rider from France
• Eugénie Leprévost: French novelist and playwright
• Agathe Leprévost: French journalist, editor and science writer
• Charles Leprêvost: French sculptor
• Octave Leprévost: French Romantic painter
• Pascal Leprévost: French politician
• Nicolas Leprévost: French actor
• Upload Leprévost: French artist
• Odilon Leprévost: French artist and illustrator
• Clement Leprêvost: French footballer

Other surnames

Leprévôt