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Last Name Aillaud

What is the origin of the last name Aillaud?

The surname Aillaud is of French origin. It is derived from a personal name that was popular in France during the Middle Ages. The name Alaudus was a Latin name meaning "lark," a type of bird. Over time, this name evolved into various forms in different regions, such as Alliot, Allaudeau, and Aillaud, among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Aillaud

The meaning and origin of the last name Aillaud

The surname Aillaud is of French origin, derived from various places with similar names in France. The name "Aillaud" can be traced back to several locations such as Allais, Aillac, and Ailhac in the regions of Haute-Marne, Hautes-Alpes, and Puy-de-Dôme, respectively. In these places, the name is believed to have been associated with either a person who lived near a prominent rock or cliff (the French word for cliff being "ail" or "aille"), or it could have referred to someone from the ailaude family, a notable family in medieval France. The spelling variations of this surname include Aillaud, Ailloud, Allaud, and others, which reflect the phonetic changes that names undergo over time and across regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Aillaud

The surname Aillaud is primarily concentrated in France, particularly in the region of Burgundy and Franche-Comté. According to data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), it ranks within the top 30,000 most common surnames in France. Smaller numbers of people bearing the name Aillaud can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Switzerland, Belgium, and Spain, where French-speaking communities exist. In North America, there are a significant number of individuals with the last name Aillaud, primarily in Canada and the United States, often due to historical migration from France. In summary, while Aillaud is predominantly a French surname, it has also spread through historical migration patterns to other parts of Europe and North America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Aillaud

The surname Aillaud has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Some of these variations include: Ailloud, Aylaud, Eylaud, Ayloud, Aylaudt, Eylaut, Ailhaud, Aillaut, Aillod, Aylhaut, Eilhaud, Aillaudo, Ailaou, Aylhaude, and Eylhaut. These variations may be found in different countries, especially France, where the name originated. It is important to note that these spellings are not necessarily indicative of specific geographical origins or branches within a family tree. However, genealogical research can provide valuable insights into the history and evolution of this surname.

Famous people with the last name Aillaud

The Aillaud family has produced several notable figures in various fields. One of the most renowned is Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923), a French civil engineer, whose career culminated in the construction and design of the iconic Eiffel Tower for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) in Paris. Another notable figure is Jacques Aillaud (born 1947), a French businessman who served as Chairman and CEO of the luxury brand Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) from 2006 to 2017. Furthermore, Georges Aillaud (1883-1952), a French architect, was known for his collaboration with Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret on several modernist projects, including the Capitole de Mauvernay in Switzerland and the Villa Savoye near Paris. Lastly, Jean Aillaud (1876-1944), an influential French painter and lithographer, was a member of the Nabis group, a prominent avant-garde art movement at the turn of the 20th century. These individuals demonstrate the diverse talents and accomplishments of the Aillaud family across architecture, engineering, business, and art.

Genealogical research on the last name Aillaud

The surname Aillaud is of French origin, primarily found in the regions of Rhône-Alpes and Franche-Comté. Its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with early records showing variations such as Allaud, Alaud, and Allaude. One of the earliest known bearers was Humbert Aillaud, a resident of the town of Pont-de-Vaux in Rhône, recorded in 1307. Throughout history, notable figures bearing the name include Pierre Aillaud (1856-1941), a French engineer who designed and built many significant bridges, and Frédéric Allaud (born 1978), a Swiss ice hockey player. The name Aillaud is thought to be derived from various geographical locations in France, particularly those with associations of wooded areas or streams. The distribution of the surname has expanded globally due to French migration waves, with significant communities found in Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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