Surname Provo - Meaning and Origin

Provo: What does the surname Provo mean?

The surname Provo is believed to have originated from either France or Italy. In the Italian context, this surname is derived from the word "prova" which means "test" or "trial". It was probably initially given as a nickname to individuals who were seen as testers or who needed to pass certain tests or trials. As a French surname, Provo might be locational, referring to a person from any of several locations in France named Prove or Prouve. Surnames were often used during the Middle Ages to describe a person's occupation, place of residence, or character traits. Hence, the surname Provo could indicate the family's geographic origin or their ancestor's occupation or characteristic. However, the precise origin of the surname Provo can only be speculated, as its meaning could have varied with regions and over time. As with any surname, tracing back a specific lineage can shed more light on its personal historical significance.

Provo: Where does the name Provo come from?

The last name Provo is most commonly found throughout the United States and Canada. In the US, Provo is most frequently located in metropolitan areas like Boston, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Tampa, and Salt Lake City. Specifically, Provo is a fairly common surname in the states of Utah and Wyoming, where it ranks in the top 200 surnames. In Canada, Provo is most commonly found in Quebec and Alberta. In Quebec, it ranks as the 431st most common surname, while in Alberta, it ranks as the 592nd most common name.

Analysis of public census records from England and Wales show that Provo is not as commonly found there as it is in the US and Canada. Nonetheless, the name does appear in the top 5,000 most common surnames, mostly concentrated in the Midlands and South West England. Similarly, public records in Scotland also show a small presence of the surname.

While the origins of the name are unclear, it is most likely derived from a French-Canadian place name. It is a very popular last name among French-Canadians, particularly in Quebec where it is common as a given name. Many of Provo’s in the US come from immigrants from countries around the world, making it one of the most diverse surnames in the United States.

Variations of the surname Provo

The surname Provo is derived from Provost, a French word meaning a head or leader of a group or a judicial official. Variant spellings and surnames with the same origin include:

• Provost

• Prévost

• Prevost

• Preavost

• Preavo

• Preveau

• Prevo

• Proveau

• Provoost

• Provoste

• Provest

• Provst

• Praevost

• Prevoost

• Proveste

• Provosty

• Preveaux

• Provosti

• Prevoir

• Provoate

• Proves

• Prevoo

• Provoost

• Provantle

• Provan

• Pravost

• Provot

Variants of the surname Provo can also be found in other countries. For example, in Italy, Prano, Pranovi, or Provano are all variations of the surname Provo. In Spain, the surname is also found as Provo or Provoa and in Portugal, Prova is a variant spelling.

Alternate surnames with the same origin include Prévosteau, Provostaux, Provosty, Provostin, Provotel, Provoster, Provoille, Provouillon and Provosteau. All of these surnames are derived from the word Provost which, as previously mentioned, is a French word meaning the head or leader of a group or a judicial official.

Famous people with the name Provo

• Billy Provo: musician and songwriter from the UK who has released albums such as Welcome to the Club and Flowing.
• Tayleur Provo: Canadian country singer-songwriter who released the EP Her Voice in 2020.
• Joe Provo: former sporting director for Major League Soccer, previously an executive with Seattle Sounders FC.
• Pat Provo: Australian radio presenter and actor who is best known as the voice of Foxtel's Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels.
• Paden Provo: former Salvadoran international football player, who had a career in Sweden and the United States.
• June Provo: New Zealand film producer and actress who has starred in films such as A Christmas Story.
• Ken Provo: former Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Winnipeg Monarchs of the Central Hockey League in the early 1950s.
• Richard Provo: former NFL running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1972 to 1975.
• Daniel Provo: American professional wrestler who has competed in numerous independent promotions throughout the country.
• Brandon Provo: American YouTuber and musician who has released several singles and is known for his electronic and EDM music.

Other surnames

ProvanceProvenceProvinceProvinsProvostProvôt