Surname LaFonte - Meaning and Origin
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LaFonte: What does the surname LaFonte mean?
The last name LaFonte comes from an old French word, "La Font," meaning "the fountain," and suggests that the original family may have had some association with a particular fountain. This could mean that either they lived near one, owned one, or perhaps were named for a family member who had a particularly fond love for a particular fountain.
The term "fountain" has also been associated with religious symbolism throughout the ages. It could be that the original LaFonte family bore a strong faith or had a spiritual importance in their culture. The name could be signifying that this family was the source, or fountain, of spiritual and religious knowledge and guidance for their neighbors.
In some cultures, the term "fountain" can also signify the source of life and energy, and this could have been particularly meaningful to the original LaFonte family. It could be that they lived in a place filled with abundant natural resources or had some other means of creating life.
Regardless of the original meaning of the name, it is a strong and powerful reminder of the past and a symbol of something unique and special. The name LaFonte could mean something different to every individual who bears it, and as such, each individual has the opportunity to create a legacy and meaning to the name that is meaningful to them.
Order DNA origin analysisLaFonte: Where does the name LaFonte come from?
The last name LaFonte is most commonly found in France today. Historically, families bearing the name LaFonte were likely descended from the French region of Brittany. The name was likely taken from a coastal village of La Fosse, which is an old French word for moat. It first appeared in the 12th century, when a priest named Laurent de Fons was recorded as being from the village.
The LaFonte surname spread throughout France and is found in a variety of variations including LaFonte, Laffonte, Fonte, and Fon. It is particularly popular in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées in the region of Occitaine, where it is the 11th most common last name. Jean Laffont, an author from the region, is the best-known bearer of the name.
Additionally, the LaFonte surname has made its way to other countries, including the United States. Early immigrants bearing the name included Jean de LaFonte, who came to North America from France in 1654, and Thomas LaFonzio, who appears in records in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1797. Today, most of the Americans with the LaFonte name can trace their ancestry back to France and the Occitaine region.
Variations of the surname LaFonte
The surname LaFonte has various spelling and variants, as well as different surnames of the same origin. Alternate spellings and variants for LaFonte include: Lafont, Lafonde, La Font, La Fontaine, Fontaine, Lefonte, Lefond, Lefont and LaFond.
Lafont is the most common variant, while La Font and La Fontaine are similar to French forms of the surname. Spelling variants such as La Fond, Lefonte and Lefond are also found in Quebec, Canada.
The meaning of the surname LaFonte is derived from the Old French terms "la," meaning "the," and "font," meaning "spring," "fountain," or "source," thereby denoting "the fountain," as used to indicate that at least one early ancestor of the surname's namesake likely hailed from a place where such a feature existed.
Surnames of a similar origin include: LeFeuvre, which means "the smith;" LaFleur, meaning "the flower;" LaFlamme, which can mean either "the torch" or "the flame;" LaFleche, meaning "the arrow," or "the dart," and LaTouche, which is derived from the Old French word, "tosche," indicating that the original bearer was a collector of taxes.
As with many family names, the spelling of LaFonte can vary greatly over time. Variations of the name may also be used in other languages, such as French and Italian.
Famous people with the name LaFonte
- Harry LaFontaine: American actor and director
- Tarell Alvin McCraney: American playwright, director and actor
- Eliza Carthy: British singer and songwriter
- Lupe Fiasco: American rapper
- Tyson LaFonte: Former NFL wide receiver
- Joe LaFontaine: Former MLB player
- Yannick LaFonte: French singer
- Montecito LaFontaine: American boxer
- Robin LaFontaine: British TV personality
- Marco Lockett: Retired NBA player