Surname Laporte - Meaning and Origin
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Unravelling Heritage & Identity: The Revelations of my iGENEA DNA Test & Surname Laporte
After taking an iGENEA DNA test, I have a renewed perspective and profound understanding of my personal identity and heritage. Specifically, learning about the meaning and history encapsulated in my French surname, Laporte, has reshaped how I view my familial lineage, individuality, and place in society.
J. Laporte
read moreLaporte: What does the surname Laporte mean?
The last name Laporte is of French origin and means "the gate" or "the door." It was often given to individuals who lived near a prominent gate or door of a city, town, or significant establishment such as a castle. In some cases, it might have been assigned to a doorkeeper or gatekeeper. It's a topographic surname, which is a type of hereditary surname that was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. They were ubiquitous in France even before the Norman Conquest in the 11th century and have greatly shaped the French naming tradition. Today, Laporte is a common surname in France and among French-speaking populations worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisLaporte: Where does the name Laporte come from?
The last name Laporte is mostly associated with France, where it originated. Laporte first appeared in French records in the 12th and 13th centuries, making it one of the most historical last names in France. It has since spread throughout the world, though people bearing this last name are still mostly concentrated in France.
In terms of distribution within France, it is most common in the northeastern and northwestern regions, though there are also a significant number of French citizens bearing the name in the global community. For example, Laporte is especially common in Canada, especially in the provinces of Québec and Ontario, where it is among the top 200 most common last names. It is also found in other French-speaking areas such as Switzerland, Belgium, and Algeria, as well as in the United States, where it ranks among the top 1,000 last names.
Today, the Laporte name is alive and well in the worldwide French community. In France, the Laporte are traditionally known as a family of warriors, and their influence can still be seen in various regions of the country. They are known for being courageous, fearless, and hard working, characteristics that their descendants share to this day.
Variations of the surname Laporte
The surname Laporte is of French origin, deriving from the Old French word 'la porte', meaning ‘gate’ or ‘door’. It was originally used as a nickname for a large, formidable-looking doorkeeper or guard. Over the centuries, variants of the name have evolved in different countries.
In France, the surname is spelt LaPorte, and is also sometimes spelled De LaPorte. Common variants include LaPort, Laport and Laporte. In Belgium, the name is often seen as Laporte, as well as LeiPorte and LaPort. In Spain, popular variants include LePoarte, Lapuorte, and Laportes.
In the United States, the name has become Anglicized to Laporte with a range of spelling variations including LaPort, Laport, LaPorte, Laporte, Laporta, Laportea, Laperte, Leporte, Porte and Portte. The variants Leporte and Leport are also common among French-Canadians.
In the United Kingdom the name is often seen as LaPorte with other variations such as LaPort, Laport, LaPorte, Laporte, Laporta, Laportea, Porte and Portte. The surname is also sometimes seen as Leporte or Porte.
Finally, there are a number of surnames of similar origin, which are thought to be related to Laporte, including LaPorta, Laporta, Leportua, LaPortua, LaPortus, Lamarque and L’amour.
Famous people with the name Laporte
- Craig Laporte: Canadian comedian & host of the late-night talk show, The Late Show
- Steve Laporte: Former professional footballer, who played for teams like the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions
- Guillaume Laporte: French actor, known for roles in films such as Poltergeist and Flight Of The Navigator
- Thierry Laporte: French entrepreneur and founding member of the Lapostolle Group
- Jean-François Laporte: French Paralympic alpine skier, who represented France at the 2002-2006 Winter Paralympics
- Patrick Laporte: Canadian actor, best known for recurring roles in Canadian TV series Da Vinci’s Inquest and Living in Your Car
- Denise Laporte: Canadian tennis player and a former WTA tour player
- Marie Laporte: French film director, best known for her acclaimed films such as Black Symphony and Correspondence
- Andre Laporte: Belgian composer & pianist of classical music, pieces of his work can be heard in many films
- Charles Laporte: French impressionist painter, notable works include "The Boats Of The Marne" and “The Lovers”