Surname Sylvestre - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Origins and History of my Surname Sylvestre with iGENEA DNA Test

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery with iGENEA DNA test was profoundly informative and exhilarating. Building an understanding of my familial roots and narrating the epic story of my surname "Sylvestre" was an insightful experience that painted a vivid picture of my ancestry and me.

K. Sylvestre

Sylvestre: What does the surname Sylvestre mean?

The surname Sylvestre is of French origin and derives from the Latin name "Silvester," which translates to "wild" or "of the woods." This name was traditionally given in the Medieval period to people who lived in or near a wood, or who worked as a woodcutter or forester. Subsequently, it became a popular personal name before getting transferred to being a surname. Hence, Sylvestre can be seen as referring to someone who has a connection with the woods or nature. It's worth noting that different variations of this surname exist in multiple cultures due to the migrations and influence of French culture across different regions.

Sylvestre: Where does the name Sylvestre come from?

The last name Sylvestre is most commonly found today in France. According to Geneanet.org, the last name Sylvestre can be found in various seperate areas of metropolitan France, including Puy de Dome and Nievre. Despite the presence of the last name in France, it is also popular in other countries such as Haiti, Canada, United States, and even some parts of Africa.

The Haitian variants of the last name are generally slightly altered but are recognizable as a variation of the original last name. In Canada, the variations for the last name Sylvestre can be found in both English and French-speaking regions, with spellings such as Silverster, Selvester, Selvister, and Selvestre.

In the United States, the last name Sylvestre can be found mainly in the East Coast states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, with rare cases spotted in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Africa also has its version of the last name Sylvestre. In Guinea and Senegal, one can find the last name in the form of Sylvester, meaning those who migrated from France to Africa may have changed the spelling.

All in all, the last name Sylvestre can be found in many places throughout Europe, Canada, United States, Africa, and elsewhere. Although the spelling may vary slightly in different regions, its origin is unmistakable.

Variations of the surname Sylvestre

The surname Sylvestre is a French patronymic surname, which is derived from the given name Sylvain or Silvanus. The name is derived from the Latin, silva, meaning “wood”, “forest” or “tree”, and is metaphorically connected with the characteristics of strength and vitality.

Variants of the surname Sylvestre include: Sylvester, Silvestri, Silvestre, Silvester, Silvain, Sylvester, Sylvestri, and Sylvestarian.

It can also be spelled phonetically in different languages, such as: Silvêtre (Portuguese & French), Silvestro (Italian), Sylwestr (Polish), Sylvestar (Slovene), Silvestru (Romanian), Zilvētrs (Latvian), Sîlvestru (Romanian), Szilveszter (Hungarian), and Silvestr (Czech).

In addition, there are other surnames which originate from the same root and may be variants of Sylvestre, such as Sylfeste (English), Sylvester (English), Sylvest (German), Silvéstio (Portuguese & Spanish), Silveste (Basque), Jeleszynski (Polish), Vilostrøm (Danish), Savastru (Romanian), and Selvestro (Italian).

Famous people with the name Sylvestre

• Mathieu Sylvestre: Mathieu Sylvestre is a Canadian actor, writer, director and producer. He is known for his roles in feature films such as The Whistleblower and On The Farm. He also creates his own short films and web series.
• Joélle Sylvestre: Joélle Sylvestre is a French couture and ready-to-wear designer. She designs a range of garments, from casual to formal, all inspired by a romantic mood.
• Maurice Sylvestre: Maurice Sylvestre is a French retired football player and current coach who played as a goalkeeper. He started his career with US Nîmes, before moving to Toulouse FC and then Rennes FC.
• Marilou Sylvestre: Marilou Sylvestre is a French singer and actress. She is best known for her acclaimed role in the musical theater version of A Streetcar Named Desire.
• Paul Sylvestre: Paul Sylvestre is a Canadian actor best known for his roles in the series, Being Human, Murdoch Mysteries and Anne.
• Charles Sylvestre: Charles Sylvestre is a Canadian sculptor and public art curator. He has created several sculptures for parks, universities and private commissions.
• Jacques Sylvestre: Jacques Sylvestre is a French actor. He is best known for his roles in films such as Mais, qui est la belette and The Whistleblower.
• André Sylvestre: André Sylvestre is a French alpine skier and Olympic medalist. He won a bronze medal in the slalom event at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

Other surnames

Sylvester