Surname Peau - Meaning and Origin
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Peau: What does the surname Peau mean?
The last name Peau is of French origin and it literally translates to "skin" in English. It is derived from the Old French "pel", which means 'skin' or 'hide'. This surname could have possibly been used as a nickname for someone who was a skinner or tanner, or even someone with a peculiar skin. Like many surnames, occupational or descriptive origins are not uncommon. It is also possible that this name is derived from a geographical location related to the word for skin or hide, such as a tanning mill or butcher's shop. Like many other surnames, the exact origins and meanings can vary and might not be known with certainty. It should also be noted that the pronunciation and interpretations of surnames can change over time and across regions. Outside of France, this surname may also be found in other French-speaking regions or countries around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisPeau: Where does the name Peau come from?
The last name Peau is quite uncommon today; however, the origins of the name Peau are most commonly traced to France. It first appeared in the area of Picardy in the Middle Ages and is believed to have derived from the Latin word “pelle,” in reference to being a skin. Populations with the surname Peau were present in the 16th century in both the Picardy and Champagne regions.
Today, the surname Peau is not limited to France, but is found in various other countries. There is a strong presence in Belgium, the United States, Canada, and Switzerland. Within the United States, Peau is most common in Louisiana and Mississippi. Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the surname is most prevalent in those two states with Louisiana having 890 occurrences in the years 2000-2010.
In France today, the surname Peau is quite rare. Unless a family has maintained continuity through the centuries, there is most likely a very low percentage of individuals with the Peau surname. Researchers suggest that the surname may have once been more widespread during the Middle Ages, but that since that time, there has been a decline in the prevalence of the surname.
Today, individuals with the surname Peau are found in various parts of the world. Some are still connected to their French ancestry, while others may not even be aware of the French origins of the name. However, all of them ultimately are connected by the origin of their surname.
Variations of the surname Peau
The surname Peau is derived from the Old French word "peu", meaning "little" or "small". The surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of this surname include: Pau, Paule, Pou, Poule, Peault, Peaulx, Peaulme, Peaux, Peautre, Peauxdre, Poau, and Pauge. The spelling of the surname may also come to be seen as Peau, Pau, Power, and Powe.
The surname is also related to the French surnames Pou, Poule, Poulet, and Peu. Poulet and Poule are derived from the Latin “pullus”, meaning “a young animal”. Similarly, Peu is also derived from the Latin “pilosus” meaning “hairy”, and is also related to the English names Pyle and Pyles.
In parts of France, where the original spelling is still in existence, the name can be found spelt as Poe, in Brittany it’ s spelt as Peauce and in Gascony it’s spelt as Peua.
The various spellings of the surname may have come to be through immigration patterns within Europe. For example, the spelling Power could be derived from an Anglo-Norman variation used in England or Ireland, and the spelling Pauge could be derived from a Spanovariant used in Spain or Portugal.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Peau have come to be through a combination of immigration patterns, variations of the original Old French word, and connections to the Latin language.
Famous people with the name Peau
- Jonathan Pitre (known as “the Butterfly Boy”);
- Dousmangue Peau (Haitian abolitionist and poet);
- Margaret Peau (featherwork artist from Hawaii);
- Basile-Edouard Peau (Haitian politician);
- Matthieu Peau (French politician and former Minister of Education);
- Jean-Joseph Peau (Haitian lawyer and former judge);
- Jean-Michel Peau (French scientist and geologist);
- Martial Peau (French writer and poet);
- Pierre-Antoine Peau (French mathematician and professor);
- Gregoire-Charles Peau (18th-century French stage actor);
- Charles Louis Peau (19th-century French violinist);
- Gary-Guy Peau (20th-century Haitian painter);
- Joseph Louis Peau (French writer, playwright, and philosopher);
- Jérome-Marie Peau (18th-century French astronomer);
- Antoine Peau (20th-century French historian).