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Surname Bourgeois - Meaning and Origin

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How iGENEA DNA Test Unraveled the Rich Tapestry of my Bourgeois Lineage

As an individual seeking insight on my Bourgeois lineage, I embarked on a DNA journey with iGENEA. The findings brought to light unexpected threads tying me to a broader European ancestry, ancient civilizations, powerful matriarchs and a global migrant narrative that enhanced my self-understanding.

A. Bourgeois

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Bourgeois: What does the surname Bourgeois mean?

The last name "Bourgeois" is of French origin and it directly translates to "townsman" or "burgess" in English. Traditionally, it was used to describe inhabitants of a borough, or an emerging middle-class group composed of craftsmen, merchants, and others who were above the rank of peasants but below the nobility. Over time, in socio-political contexts, the term came to signify the capitalist middle and upper classes who own most of society's wealth and means of production — in this case, it's often used pejoratively. The term "Bourgeoisie" is derived from "bourgeois" and is extensively used in Marxist philosophy to describe a social class that is fraught with perceived materialistic values and conventional attitudes. As a surname, "Bourgeois" is widespread in France and is also found in regions with historical French influence such as Canada, Belgium, and parts of the United States. People with this surname might trace their ancestry back to these areas.

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Bourgeois: Where does the name Bourgeois come from?

The surname Bourgeois originates from the French term used to denote a free man living in a town or borough. In the Middle Ages, this term distinguished those individuals who were neither nobility nor peasants, but typically middle or merchant class. Its use as a surname indicates that the original holder likely held this social status.

In terms of geographical spread, Bourgeois is very common in France, particularly in regions of Paris, Normandy, and Picardy. The name also spread to other French-speaking regions such as parts of Belgium and Canada, especially in the province of Québec, due to French exploration and colonization. Additionally, it can be found in the United States, primarily among families with French-Canadian roots.

Due to historical influences and immigration, today the surname Bourgeois is common in French-speaking countries (particularly France, Belgium, and Canada) and in regions with significant populations of people with French ancestry, such as Louisiana in the United States. However, its highest prevalence remains in France.

Variations of the surname Bourgeois

The surname Bourgeois is typically of French origin and it means "townsman" or "freeman". It is one of the several occupational names that have been a rich source of surnames. Due to linguistic and regional differences, the name Bourgeois has several spelling variations that include: Bourgois, Bourgeais, Bourgeau, Bourgeot, Bourges, Bourgeon, Bourgeoisie, Bourgeault, and Bourgelas. The surname may have also been Anglicized in various forms, such as Burge, Burgess, Burgis, and Burgers, more so when French descendants moved to English-speaking countries.

There are several other surnames that come from the same root such as Lebourgeois, Debourgeois, and Dubourgeois. Surnames that derive from Bourgeois may have also developed through a combination of geographical and personal identifiers meant to distinguish between two or more people with same first names, such as Jean Bourgeois of one region being differentiated from Jean Bourgeois of another region.

The name's phonetic equivalents due to different languages and regional dialects may also lead to several variations of the surname. For example, Burger in German, Burgess in England, or Burgher in Dutch, basically referring to a inhabitant of a town or city.

Famous people with the name Bourgeois

  • Charles Bourgeois: French linguist and academic
  • Fernand Bourgeois: French comic book artist and writer
  • Henry Bourgeois: French painter and engraver
  • Jean-Baptiste Bourgeois: French sculptor
  • Jo Bourgeois: French mathematician
  • Joseph Bourgeois: French dramatist
  • Monsignor François Bourgeois: French composer
  • Pierre Bourgeois: French printer and engraver
  • Pierre-Paul Bourgeois: French painter
  • Pierre-Joseph Bourgeois: French soldier
  • Rainier Bourgeois: French playwright
  • Robert Bourgeois: French aircraft designer and engineer
  • Carlos Bourgeois: Spanish journalist and diplomat
  • Antonio Bourgeois: Mexican footballer for Monarcas Morelia
  • Rowan Bourgeois: South African singer, songwriter and producer
  • Leïla Bourgeois: French actress
  • Pierre-Dominique Bourgeois: French ice hockey player
  • Denise Bourgeois: Canadian voice actor
  • Franz Bourgeois: Swiss cinematographer and film director
  • Jacques Bourgeois: Canadian politician

Other surnames

Ba'AlawiBaadeBaaderBaakeBaalawiBaarBaariBaarschBaartBaarthBaartsBaarzBaasBabacanBabadagiBabayigitBabbBabbsBabcockBabcoxBabeBaberBabersBabeyBabieBabistBabstBâbyBacaBacak

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