Surname Dillenou - Meaning and Origin
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Dillenou: What does the surname Dillenou mean?
The last name Dillenou is an anglicized form of the French name De Luneau or Delenou. The name is thought to have roots in Normandy, as many French surnames originating from this region have an animal-related root. The term 'luneau' translates to 'little hare' in French, and the surname Dillenou is likely derived from this term.
This suggests a possible occupational surname, as it is likely this last name was adopted by individuals who worked in the fur or leather industries in medieval France. Those who had this surname would have been involved in hunting or trapping hares for their fur and/or skin.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dillenou was in 1588, when a Rwise Delenou was recorded as an inhabitant of the town of Pleudaniel in Brittany. The surname is quite rare and can be found most commonly in France, although some variants of the name have been passed down in Canada and the United States as well.
Despite the fact the name Dillenou is quite rare, it has a significant history with its French origins. Those who have this family name are likely related to a long line of individuals who had successful careers in the fur and leather trades hundreds of years ago.
Order DNA origin analysisDillenou: Where does the name Dillenou come from?
The last name Dillenou is most common in Delaware, USA, with the greatest concentration found in the New Castle and Sussex counties. According to Name Distribution, a website that maps and charts the distribution of surnames throughout the United States, the name Dillenou is least common in the Midwest and Southeast United States.
The surname Dillenou is also common in the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. It is believed to have originated in Europe as a habitation name, a type of surname derived from a place-name. The Dillenou surname could have first been used to refer to a geographic location, such as a town, village, or other settlement.
Dillenou is believed to have derived from the Dutch phrase 'te dillen', which translates to 'to speak intensively'. This phrase could have been used by early ancestors of the Dillenou family to indicate that they are a people of intelligence, resourcefulness, or creativity.
The surname Dillenou is most commonly found in the United States and Europe, suggesting that it is an old and established surname, likely with roots in the countries in which it is most common. As with many other surnames, the exact origin of the name is impossible to trace, however, the current distribution history of the name suggests that its roots are likely European in nature.
Variations of the surname Dillenou
The surname Dillenou has a variety of spellings, variants and surnames which all have the same origin. Some of these variations include Dillinou, Dillinoe, Dilenou and Dillanoe. Other similar sounding surnames which all stem from the same origin include Dillin, Dillen, Dillon and Dilly.
Dillenou is believed to originate from Ireland and Scotland, especially Scotland’s Northern Isles, meaning a topographic name or habitational name for a place. It can be assumed that the base form of the name originates from the Middle English word ‘dillen’ which means ‘valley’.
The surname is also present in many other countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. These variants, spellings and surnames of Dillenou are derived from or influenced by the French language, which is the root of the surname variant “Dillinoe”.
The surname’s presence in Ireland is less than that of its presence in Scotland, with only a small number of individuals bearing the Dillenou name in Ireland. Variations in the spelling of the surname have been established through the years as a way of distinguishing individuals who shared the same name but were not related. Other surnames derived from Dillenou include Dillin, Dillen, Dillon and Dilly.
These variations and spellings allow us to have knowledge on how the surname has evolved and changed over the years. This information is helpful for understanding the origin and history of the family name.
Famous people with the name Dillenou
- Walter Dillenou: Belgian Olympic gold medal swimmer
- Paul Dillenou: French actor and director
- Ellen Dillenou: Belgian rower
- Emile Dillenou: French painter
- Telmo Dillenou: Portuguese water polo player
- Henry Dillenou: French sculptor
- René Dillenou: Belgian cyclist
- Josy Dillenou: French actor and comedian
- Marjolaine Dillenou: French painter
- Philip Dillenou: French World War II veteran
- Hubert Dillenou: French mathematician
- Loredana Dillenou: Italian singer and songwriter