Surname Sauveur - Meaning and Origin

Sauveur: What does the surname Sauveur mean?

The last name Sauveur is of French origin and translates to "savior" or "deliverer" in English. This surname was likely used as a nickname before it evolved into a surname, perhaps for people who were seen as rescuers or providers of help. It's important to note that surnames, in their beginnings, were often derived from a person’s occupation or attributes. Also, many last names have religious origins, and considering the strong history of Christianity in France, it is possible that Sauveur is one of such names. Also, it may refer to someone who lived or worked in a house or in a settlement called Le Sauveur. Variations of the last name include Le Sauveur, Sauvage, Sauvin, and others. It's quite rare, so people with this surname might be related in some way.

Sauveur: Where does the name Sauveur come from?

The surname Sauveur is most commonly found in France, particularly in the regions of Basse Normandie, Poitou-Charentes, Haute Normandie, and Aquitaine. It can also be found in Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, and the United States.

In France, the French surname Sauveur was likely taken from its Latin root, salvator, meaning savior. However, some believe it to be derived from the Latin word salvus, meaning safe and sound.

In Canada, the surname Sauveur is primarily associated with French-speaking Quebec. According to Quebec's 2001 Census, Sauveur was the 8th most common unique last name reported, with 7,663 people who reported it.

In the United States, there were 5,013 people who reported Sauveur as their surname in the 2020 American Community Survey. The largest concentration of the Sauveur surname can be found in the states of Massachusetts, Maine, Louisiana, and Ohio.

No matter where it is found, the shared history and traditions among those who share the surname Sauveur often help strengthen the ties of families, friends, and neighbors. Whether used to distinguish power or to carry on ancestral lines, the name is a reminder of our shared ancestry and a shared humanity.

Variations of the surname Sauveur

The surname Sauveur, sometimes spelled Sauvèr or Sauver, is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word sauveur, meaning savior or saver. This surname refers to someone who saves or rescues others, and was often given to people honoring a saint or biblical figure associated with protection, such as St. Christopher or St. Gabriel.

The various forms of the surname Sauveur include Saver, Sauvoir, Sauvr, Sauveer, de Sauveur, Sauve, Sauva, Sauverot, Sauvel, Sauvelet, Sauvelier, Sauvelot, Sauvisson, de Savoir, Savo, Savoir, Savoirs, Savois, Savoy, Savoyer, Sauvey, and Savys.

The patronymic surnames of Sauveur, meaning "son of Sauveur," and its variants include Sauveur-Desloges, Sauveur-Haulteau, Sauveur-Pelletier, Sauveur-Sylvestre, Sauveur-Taché, Saver-Lavergne, Sauvel-Bouchard, Sauvel-Leduc, Sauvelle-Cambon, Sauvelon-Parent, Sauverlot-Trudel, Sauveur-Carbonneau, Savoir-Raymond, and Savoie-Forget.

The common diminutive of Sauveur is Sauvé, and this name is sometimes used as a given name. In the United States, the surname Savo is an Americanized spelling of Savoir, one of the variants of the surname Sauveur. When spelled Savoie, the name usually refers to the region in France.

Special patronymic surnames are formed by adding a suffix such as –y, -ot, -in, -on, -et, -el, -er, or –ard to the name Sauveur. Popular examples include Sauveur-Rouy, Sauveur-Lamouchard, Sauveur-Breton, Sauveur-Pelletier, Sauveur-Mercier, Sauveur-Levasseur, Sauveur-Gamache, Sauveur-Dubois, Sauveur-Nolet, Sauvetard-Champagne, Sauvétre-Laigle, Sauvelot-Duverger, Sauverin-Verger, Sauverard-Boucher, and Sauveler-Dupré.

Famous people with the name Sauveur

• Rachel Sauveur: French musical theatre actress and soprano best known for playing the role of Lili in the US tour of "Cats"
• Pierre Sauveur: French diplomat and politician who was appointed as the first ambassador of the French Republic to the United States
• Paul Sauveur: 19th-century French philosopher and theorist
• Donatien-Victor-Joseph Sauveur: 19th-century French mathematician who specialized in mathematical analysis
• Lucien Sauveur: French surgeon who served as the personal physician of King Louis XV of France
• Roland Sauveur: French comedian, actor, and director
• Michel Sauveur: French politician who was a member of the Assembly of Notables
• Élise Sauveur: French singer, actress, and television host
• Christiane Sauveur-Rivard: Canadian composer and concert harpsichordist
• Jean-Paul Sauveur: French sculptor and founder of the first art school in Algeria

Other surnames

Sauver