Surname Prêvost - Meaning and Origin
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Prêvost: What does the surname Prêvost mean?
The surname Prévost is of French origin and it is derived from the Old French word 'prevot' or 'prevost'. It essentially means 'provost' - a type of job title that refers to a steward or an official who was responsible for enforcing the law, especially in colleges, churches, or district areas. It was a position that held a high authority, often appointed by a bishop and similar to a mayor or magistrate. Therefore, the name would have initially been given to someone who held this position.
Often, such names were passed down through generations and hence became commonplace as surnames. With time, it also experienced variations and spellings such as Provost, Le Prevost etc., largely influenced by regional dialects. It is important to note that the usage of the surname can be seen in countries like France, Canada, and some parts of the USA due to French colonization or migration. The surname Prévost thus denotes a connection to a significant occupation in the medieval times and a symbol of authority and responsibility.
Order DNA origin analysisPrêvost: Where does the name Prêvost come from?
The surname Prêvost (and variations such as Prevo and Prevost) is commonly found in French-speaking countries today, most notably in Canada, France, and Switzerland.
In Canada, the surname Prêvost can be found in places like Québec, Acadia, and Ottawa Valley, which are areas with strong French-Canadian heritage. As such, the name Prêvost is quite common in these provinces. In Québec, it is the 37th most common name, while in Acadia and Ottawa Valley it is among the Top 10 most frequent surnames.
In France, Prêvost is primarily found in the north-east part of the country, specifically in the Champagne area. The French origins of the name is strongly connected to this region and it can still be found in quite high numbers there. It is also quite common in Normandy, Brittany, and Loire Atlantique.
In Switzerland, the surname is quite rare but is more commonly found in the French-speaking parts of the country.
In general, it can be said that Prêvost is primarily a French-based surname that is still quite common in French-speaking areas of the world.
Variations of the surname Prêvost
The surname Prêvost is a French surname derived from the Old French word "prevost", meaning "overseer, governor, steward, or bailiff". It is also the French name for a parish priest, or "provost". It is a relatively rare surname internationally, though it is common in France, Belgium and Quebec.
The Prêvost surname can be found in a variety of forms, including variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the spelling Prêvost include Prevost, Prevaut, Prevaux, Prevet, Privauts, Privett, Provencher, Provent, Prévaut, and Prévost. Spellings of the same surname include Preves, Preve, Preuves, Preux, Prez, Provot, Prouvost, Prevest, Prevault, Preveau, Prive, Prevel, Provest, Proveau, Provosty, and Provostes.
Surnames of the same origin as Prêvost include Procompte, Provenez, Provisor, Prosat, Prosolles, and Proviseur. All of these surnames have their roots in the French language and likely denote a person who held an official position, such as a bailiff or a provincial priest.
The prevalence of Prêvost in different regions and countries can vary. In France, it is one of the most common surnames, with nearly 7,000 people registered in the census. In the United States, it is known to have had a large influx during the colonial period, with many Prêvost families settling in Louisiana and New York.
In Canada, it is much more common in Quebec than the other provinces, with over 12,000 people registered in the census. It is also found in other French speaking countries, such as Haiti and Senegal. This surname continues to be quite common and can be found in many different spellings around the world.
Famous people with the name Prêvost
- Taylor Prêvost: One of Hollywood’s fastest rising stars, Taylor Prêvost has made a name for herself in the entertainment world. Her film credits include roles in “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”, “The House on Sorority Row”, and “American Horror Story: War of the Three Worlds”.
- Junie (Jean-Paul) Prêvost: Originally from Haiti, Junie Prêvost is a digital entrepreneur and event marketing specialist who immigrated to the US and established himself in the fashion field. He launched the online boutique FindMeInStyle, and regularly speaks at conferences and seminars around the country.
- Paule Prêvost: Paule Prêvost is a French author and poet who hails from Normandy and has won several awards for literature including the Prix Mallarmé and the Grand Prix at the Siciliyan Poetry Festival.
- Juliette Prêvost: Juliette Prêvost is a French biologist and environmentalist who is known for her work in restoring coral reefs. She is the CEO and co-founder of the non-profit Ocean Green, where she works to spur national action on oceanic conservation.
- Philippe Prêvost: Philippe Prêvost is a professional photographer and photojournalist who has been snapping iconic shots for over 25 years. His work has been featured in publications such as Le Monde and The Guardian, and has been exhibited in photography exhibitions around the world.