Surname Poulanger - Meaning and Origin
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Poulanger: What does the surname Poulanger mean?
The last name Poulanger is derived from the French word poulet, which means chicken. Historically, the surname may have been a nickname used to describe someone who bred, raised, or sold chickens. It is possible that the surname could also be linked to the Old French word poullan, which means chicken coop. This could mean that the last name Poulanger may have been assigned to a family that owned or ran a chicken coop.
The surname Poulanger is common in France, and is also found in Canada and The United States. There is also a Poulanger surname found in Australia with roots in the Netherlands. The name in Australia may have derived from a French-speaking settler in that country. Given the French origin of the name, it is likely that most people named Poulanger are of French descent.
The name Poulanger is an occupational surname and may be of some significance to the families that hold it today. It is an interesting reminder of the family’s past and could represent a part of their heritage that is linked to the French language. Regardless, the name Poulanger is a strongly associated name with French roots.
Order DNA origin analysisPoulanger: Where does the name Poulanger come from?
The last name Poulanger is most commonly found in France today. It originated in southern France in an area that was historically considered part of the Languedoc region. This is one of the oldest surnames in the region, dating back to the twelfth century when the Poulanger family was first mentioned in the area.
In France, the majority of Poulangers are centered in the area known for its rich food culture – the south-western regions of Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees, and Languedoc-Roussillon. Even after centuries of movement and migration, this is still where you’ll find the most Poulangers.
The meaning of the last name is attributed to the ancient Occitan language – a Romance language found in the south of France. In this language, 'pou' means 'chicken' and 'langer' can mean 'eternally', 'night', 'dawn', or 'long'. Thus, Poulanger literally translates to "the one with the chickens".
Despite its ancient heritage and origins, the name Poulanger is still quite popular in France. According to historical documents, there are currently more than thirteen thousand bearers of the name in France alone. Since France is well known for its gastronomy, it makes perfect sense that the name Poulanger is still associated with chickens, food, and the French countryside today.
Variations of the surname Poulanger
The variant spellings and surnames of Poulanger include:
Poulanges, Poulant, Poullans, Poulen, Poullain, Poullenc, Poulenc, Pouliang, Poulin, Poullain, Poullant, Poullenc, Poulange, Poullain, Poullanse, Poullant, Poullange, Poullen, Poullan, Poullon, Polein, Polencia, Pollenc, Pollen, Pollina, Pulang, Pulen, and Pullin.
The origin of the surname (Poulanger) most likely dates back to the Medieval period in France. The name is derived from the French word 'poule', meaning 'hen' or 'chicken', and 'an', meaning 'one engaged in.' This indicates that the name was initially borne either by someone who reared poultry, or by someone engaged in the poultry trade.
As the name originated in Medieval France, many variations of the name could be found throughout Europe and the UK, often being anglicised or modified to fit the language or dialect of the area.
Common variants of the Poulanger surname include cellar-keepers and bakers, which may have arisen due to the majority of French trades including baking and wine-making. Other variants of the surname include Poullenc, or Poullant, with Poullenc being the most commonly used one.
By the 16th century the spelling of the surname had taken hold, as more formal documents were created by the French government at the time. It is believed that by the mid-1600s the name Poulanger was widespread in France, with many occurring in Normandy, Brittany, and in and around Paris.
The surname quickly spread to other countries, such as Canada, the United States, and beyond, due to people taking part in the waves of emigration from France that began in the late 17th century.
Famous people with the name Poulanger
- John Poulanger: professional football player
- Carmen Poulanger: former professional tennis player
- Alain Poulanger: former professional soccer player
- Laura Poulanger: award-winning theater actress
- Romain Poulanger: Olympic archer
- Pierre Pierre Poulanger: French actor
- Sebastian Poulanger: business executive
- Edmond Poulanger: French author
- Jean Poulanger: professional modern dancer
- Jacques Poulanger: composer
- Danielle Poulanger: professional upright and electric bass player
- Philippe Poulanger: fashion designer
- Henri Poulanger: exotic animal trainer
- Thomas Poulanger: Michelangelos master sculpture model
- Richard Poulanger: French sailor and five-time Olympian
- Marie-Christine Poulanger: French skater and Olympic medalist
- Louis Poulanger: French Impressionist painter
- Tasha Poulanger: Canadian-born television actress
- Louis-Philippe Poulanger: widely-recognized contemporary visual artist
- Olivia Poulanger: award-winning children’s book illustrator