Last Name Alexandre

The last name "Alexandre" is of Greek origin, derived from the Greek name "Alexandros," meaning "defender of the people" or "protector of mankind." This name became popular in many different cultures due to the influence of Alexander the Great, the ancient Macedonian king who conquered much of the known world in the 4th century BC. As a result, the name spread throughout Europe and the Middle East, leading to various variations such as "Alexandre" in French-speaking regions.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Alexandre

When looking at the ethnic identity associated with the surname "Alexandre", the Decennial U.S. Census data shows interesting changes between 2000 and 2010. The percentage of Alexandre's identifying as Black increased from 58.25% to 66.74%, a change of 14.58%. The Hispanic population with this surname also saw an increase, going from 5.80% to 6.72%, a growth of 15.86%. However, the percentage of Alexandre's who identified as White decreased from 28.88% to 23.53%, dropping by 18.52%. Additionally, those identifying as two or more races saw a significant decline from 6.37% to 2.18%, a decrease of 65.78%. The population of Alexandre's identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander experienced a rise from 0.39% to 0.66%, an increase of 69.23%. Lastly, those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native dropped from 0.32% to 0.17%, a decrease of 46.87%.

	2000	2010	Change
Black	58.25%	66.74%	14.58%
White	28.88%	23.53%	-18.52%
Hispanic	5.8%	6.72%	15.86%
Two or More Races	6.37%	2.18%	-65.78%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.39%	0.66%	69.23%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.32%	0.17%	-46.87%

Alexandre ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Alexandre is Spanish & Portuguese, which comprises 24.7% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (17.9%) and British & Irish (13.8%). Additional ancestries include Nigerian, Ghanaian, Liberian & Sierra Leonean, Angolan & Congolese, Eastern European, and Italian.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Spanish & Portuguese	24.7%
French & German	17.9%
British & Irish	13.8%
Other	43.6%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to the Cham

One of the many populations harboring members of haplogroup O1b1a1a1a1 is the Cham ethnic group, a group of people who speak Austronesian languages in Mainland Southeast Asia. Austronesian languages make up a language family that is extremely large and widespread, comprising over 350 million people on islands such as Madagascar, Easter Island, and many others. However, Austronesian languages are less common on mainland Asia, with a notable exception being the Chamic language. Research suggests that ancestors of the Cham people migrated from Southeast Asian islands to the mainland around the year 500 BCE, and that early Cham populations quickly began mixing with indigenous southern Vietnamese populations. As a result, the Chamic language now has words that were borrowed from languages spoken by indigenous Vietnamese people. It is likely that an ancestral Kinh population was one of the populations that mixed with the Cham people shortly after their migration to mainland Asia.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to the nomadic Tuareg of the Sahara

Though haplogroup H1 rarely reaches high frequencies beyond western Europe, over 60% of eastern Tuareg in Libya belong to haplogroup H1. The Tuareg call themselves the Imazghan, meaning “free people.” They are an isolated, semi-nomadic people who inhabit the West-Central Sahara and are known today for a distinctive dark blue turban worn by the men, and for their long history as gatekeepers of the desert.How did women carrying H1 make it all the way from western Europe to this isolated community? They likely migrated from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco after the Last Ice Age, where they were assimilated into the Berbers of the Mediterranean coast. Then, about 5,000 years ago, the Sahara shifted from a period of relative habitable conditions to its dramatically arid desert environment. This shift may have caused migrations throughout the Sahara, prompting the ancient Tuaregs to meet and mingle with the Berbers, bringing H1 lineages into their population.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Alexandre

The meaning and origin of the last name Alexandre

The surname Alexandre has a fascinating origin and carries a significant meaning. Derived from the Greek name "Alexandros," which translates to "defender of men" or "protector of mankind," this surname symbolizes strength, bravery, and nobility. The origin of the surname Alexandre can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the famous conqueror Alexander the Great is said to have significantly popularized the name. As Alexander the Great's empire expanded, so did the use of his name as a given name for many individuals. Over time, this name became a prestigious surname, carried by those who admired the conqueror's accomplishments and attributed his virtues to their own character. As time passed, the surname Alexandre spread to various parts of the world through migration and colonization, particularly in regions influenced by Greek culture such as Mediterranean countries, France, and Portugal. Many individuals bearing the surname Alexandre today can therefore trace their lineage back to these regions or have Greek ancestry. Overall, the surname Alexandre stands as a reminder of bravery and defending the rights and well-being of others.

Geographical distribution of the last name Alexandre

The last name "Alexandre" is a common patronymic surname of French origin. As a widely spread name, it can be found across various regions around the world. Primarily, it is most prevalent in France, where it originated. Within France, the distribution of the name is relatively uniform, with concentrations in major urban areas such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse. Outside of France, the name Alexandre can also be found in other countries with strong historical ties to France, particularly former French colonies. In Canada, the name is common in Quebec and other francophone provinces. The United States is another country where the last name Alexandre has a notable presence, with significant populations in states like Louisiana and New York, which experienced French colonization and settlement. Additionally, countries with large French-speaking populations or significant French influence, such as Belgium, Switzerland, Haiti, and Martinique, also have individuals with the last name Alexandre. Overall, the geographical distribution of the surname Alexandre reflects the historical and cultural connections of the French diaspora and French colonialism.

Variants and spellings of the last name Alexandre

The last name Alexandre has a few variations and spellings, although the most common version is "Alexandre". However, alternative spellings can frequently occur due to variations in transliteration or regional customs. Some variations of the name include "Aleksander", "Alekzandre", "Aleksandre", "Alisandero", "Alessandro", "Aleksandr", and "Alejandro". These variations can be attributed to the influence of different languages, such as French, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and even Russian. The last name Alexandre has a rich and diverse history, and as individuals and families migrated across different countries and regions, the spelling often adapted to fit the linguistic conventions of the adopted culture. Despite the variations in spelling, the name Alexandre still maintains its distinctiveness and connection to its origins.

Famous people with the last name Alexandre

There are several famous individuals with the last name Alexandre, including Alexandre Dumas, a prolific French writer known for his popular novels such as "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristo." Another well-known figure is Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the French engineer and architect responsible for designing the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. Alexandre Lacazette is a professional footballer who has played for several respected teams, including Lyon and Arsenal. The world also knows Alexandre Pato, a Brazilian soccer player who has played for AC Milan and the Brazilian national team. Additionally, Alexandre Desplat is a highly acclaimed French film composer known for his work on movies such as "The Grand Budapest Hotel," "The Shape of Water," and "The King's Speech."

Genealogical research on the last name Alexandre

The last name Alexandre is of French origin and is derived from the personal name Alexandre, which was the French form of the Greek name Alexandros, meaning "defender of the people." The surname Alexandre likely first originated as a patronymic, indicating descent from an ancestor named Alexandre. Research on the genealogy of the last name Alexandre shows that it can be found throughout France and in other French-speaking regions, such as Quebec in Canada. The surname may have also spread to other countries through French colonization and migration. Variants of the Alexandre surname may include variations in spelling, such as Alexander or Alessandro. Further research may uncover specific branches of the Alexandre family and their ancestral origins, providing insight into the history and lineage of individuals bearing this surname.

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Alexandre"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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 : 11 April 2025

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