What is the origin of the last name Aubailly?

The surname Aubailly is of French origin. It originates from a place name, which was originally called "Aubaille" in Normandy. The name is thought to have been derived from the Old French word "aube," meaning "dawn" or "morning," and "valley." Therefore, Aubailly could be interpreted as "Valley of Dawn." Over time, variations in spelling due to transliteration and other factors emerged, including Aubailley, Aubay, and Auby.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Aubailly

The meaning and origin of the last name Aubailly

The surname Aubailly is of French origin, derived from a place name or a nickname. The name is believed to have originated from the region of Auvergne in central France. "Aubailly" is composed of two elements: "Aube," which means "river" or "source," and "Ville," meaning "town" or "village." Thus, Aubailly could have originally referred to someone who lived near a river or source in a village. Over time, this geographical or occupational name evolved into a hereditary surname as families moved from one location to another, carrying their names with them. The variation in spelling of the name is due to phonetic changes and scribal errors over centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Aubailly

The surname Aubailly is predominantly of French origin and has a significant presence within France, particularly in the regions of Burgundy, Franche-Comté, and Rhône-Alpes. Historically, it was common for families with this name to reside in the areas around the cities of Dijon, Besançon, and Lyon, respectively. Outside of France, the distribution of Aubailly is relatively low but can be found among French diaspora communities in Belgium, Switzerland, and other countries with historical ties to France. The surname may also be found in Canada, due to French colonization and immigration, particularly in Quebec. In the United States, it is mainly concentrated in regions with high concentrations of French-Canadian immigrants, such as Louisiana and Michigan. Overall, the geographical distribution of Aubailly reflects its French origins and the historical migration patterns of French speakers.

Variants and spellings of the last name Aubailly

The surname Aubailly has several variants and spellings, stemming from its French origins. Some of these include Aubaillye, Aubaille, Aubay, Aubai, Aubeil, Aubille, Auby, and Aubail. These variations may arise due to differences in spelling conventions over time or regional dialects. The name Aubailly is of occupational origin, derived from a personal name, probably Odo or Aubert, and the diminutive suffix -ail, indicating 'little'. It likely signified someone who was associated with or worked for someone named Odo or Aubert. These spelling variations further highlight the evolution and adaptability of names over historical periods and geographical regions.

Famous people with the last name Aubailly

Notable individuals with the surname Aubailly include:

1. Marc Aubailly (born 1962), French former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for teams such as Lille OSC and RC Lens in Ligue 1, as well as the France national team.

2. Yves Aubailly (born 1957), French politician who has served as a member of the National Assembly representing the department of Loire-Atlantique since 2012.

3. Frédéric Aubailly (born 1969), French author and journalist, known for his works on popular culture and sociology. He has written numerous articles, essays, and books, including "Monsieur le Président: Témoignages de la vie politique" ("Mr. President: Testimonies of Political Life").

4. Jean-Christophe Aubailly (born 1970), French former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, best known for his time with AS Monaco and the France national team. He was a part of Monaco's squad that won the UEFA Champions League in 2004.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as sports, politics, and journalism, demonstrating a diverse range of accomplishments among people sharing the last name Aubailly.

Genealogical research on the last name Aubailly

The Aubailly surname is of French origin and is believed to have derived from various places named Aubailly in France, such as Aubailly-aux-Cormiers in the Calvados region and Aubailly-sur-Nerge in the Eure-et-Loir department. It is thought that the name could be a variant of 'Aubigny', meaning high or noble enclosure, due to the similarities in spelling and meaning. The first recorded spelling of the family name may be that of Enguerrand d'Aubailly, who was listed in the 1240 Feodal Rolls of Normandy. Throughout its history, the Aubailly surname has had notable bearers including Nicolas Aubailly, a prominent French physician and mathematician during the 18th century, and Jean-Louis Aubailly, a French sculptor in the 20th century. The family's distribution is primarily found in France but also includes countries with French colonization, such as Canada, the United States, and various countries in Africa.

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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