Surname Toups - Meaning and Origin

Toups: What does the surname Toups mean?

The surname Toups is of French origin. The name is most commonly found in the region of Brittany in northwestern France, often associated with French Breton families. The term "Toups" is said to have derived from the Old French word "toup", which can be translated to "top" or "summit". This could suggest that the original bearers of this surname possibly lived in a high or elevated area. However, its exact origins are blurred over centuries of cultural blending. The surname is also prevalent in Louisiana, USA, where many French and French-Canadian families migrated. Some bearers of the name could have change its form upon migration, like adapting to "Dupuis". As with many surnames, the exact meaning of Toups can vary based on historical and familial contexts.

Toups: Where does the name Toups come from?

The last name Toups is a surname with French origins. Historically, it has been most common in France and in French-speaking regions. Today, it can also be seen in French Canadian populations in Canada, as well as Louisiana in the United States. It is a relatively uncommon last name, as records from the US Census Bureau show that in 2012 it was ranked 9,139 out of all last names in the United States.

In France, the last name is most common in the Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrenees regions, and is especially popular in the Gironde department. According to the the official INSEE list of surnames, Toups was ranked the 10,373rd most popular name in 2019.

In Quebec, the name Toups is particularly prevalent in the Montreal area in the province. It is also quite common in Québec City, as well as in rural parts of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.

Though it may be considered a relatively uncommon name, it is still relatively evenly spread out across the French-speaking world. If you or your family carry the surname Toups, you can be proudly be part of a legacy with a long and distinguished history.

Variations of the surname Toups

The Toups surname is derived from the French word "toup" meaning "flagpole". It is an occupational surname for someone who made flagpoles. The variants of this surname include Toupet, Toupets, Toupin, Toupine, Toupard, Toupette, and Pelt.

The spelling Toups is most common in the United States, while in Canada the variant spelling Toupets is more prevalent. The surname is found in France, Dominica, Martinique, Louisiana, and other French regions, such as Louisiana, as well as throughout the French diaspora.

The Toupet variation of Toups is a particularly common spelling found in France. Other spellings may be found in Spain and Austria. In some southern US states, the Toups surname may be spelled Toupard, though it is pronounced with the same vowel sound as Toups.

Common misspellings of Toups include Twups, Tup, Toops, and Tops. The Toups surname is also sometimes spelled Toupet or Toupets as this spelling is more common in France.

Variants are not limited to spelling changes, and other surnames may be a variant of Toups. For example, Toups may be a variant of Toulouse, or vice versa. Similarly, Toupine may be a variant of Toupin, which is also a French variant of Toups.

Finally, Pelt may be a variant of or alteration of Toups. This is seen in the name Peltier, which is a variant of the French surname Pillier. Pillier is itself an alteration of Toupin, which is a common French variant of Toups.

Famous people with the name Toups

• Ronnie Toups: a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1975 to 1977
• William Toups: a former bayou country accordionist
• Lance Toups: A professional vocalist and lead singer of the Toups family Zydeco/Lady Band
• T-Ray Toups: A multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter based out of southern Louisiana
• ShellyToups: An independent singer and songwriter who blends elements of soul and gospel music
• Rocky Toups: Muskrat drummer and fiddler from Cajun Louisiana
• Gloria Toups: Cajun singer and accordionist who performs a mix of traditional and modern Cajun music
• Wilfred Toups: A guitarist, singer and fiddler best known for his interpretations of old-time Cajun tunes
• David Toups: Member of the "nouveau zydeco" trio Toups-A-Mighty
• Matt Toups: A professional percussionist and drummer

Other surnames

Toupin