NomOrigine Background

Last Name Bec

What is the origin of the last name Bec?

The surname "Bec" is of French origin and is derived from the Old French word "becc" which means "beak" or "nose". This surname likely originated as a nickname for someone with a prominent or distinctive nose. It is believed to be of toponymic origin, meaning it may have been derived from a place name.

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bec

The meaning and origin of the last name Bec

The surname Bec is believed to have English origins, derived from the Old English word "bece," meaning a stream or brook. It is thought to have been a topographic surname, originally given to someone who lived near a stream or a small body of water. The name may also have been used to denote someone who had a gentle or calm disposition, similar to the peaceful nature of a flowing stream. Over time, the surname Bec likely evolved from its original spelling to the shortened form "Bec." Today, individuals with the surname Bec can be found in various parts of the world, though its English origins suggest a concentration of bearers in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bec

The last name "Bec" is predominantly found in France, with the highest concentration in the regions of Normandy, Brittany, and Loire Valley. It is also present in other French-speaking countries such as Belgium and Canada. Additionally, small pockets of individuals with the surname "Bec" can be found in countries with historical connections to France, such as England and Spain. The origins of the name "Bec" can be traced back to the Old French word for "beak" or "bill," suggesting a possible association with a bird-related occupation or physical characteristic. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name "Bec" reflects its French origins and historical migration patterns within the French-speaking world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bec

The last name Bec can have several variations and spellings, including Beck, Bek, Bick, Bickie, Bech, and Bake. These variations may have originated from different regions or family branches over time. The spelling of the name may have been altered due to migration, translation, or simply personal preference. The last name Bec is not as common as others, which may have led to the creation of different forms to distinguish between individuals with the same surname. Regardless of the spelling, the name Bec likely has the same meaning and history, with each variation representing a unique lineage of the family. Overall, the variations and spellings of the last name Bec highlight the diversity and evolution of surnames throughout generations.

Famous people with the last name Bec

Some famous individuals with the last name Bec include English actress Juliette Binoche, known for her performances in films such as "The English Patient" and "Chocolat." French actor and filmmaker Jean Reno, known for his roles in "Leon: The Professional" and "The Da Vinci Code." Italian politician and economist Luigi Beccali, who won a gold medal in the 1932 Summer Olympics. French mathematician and physicist Henri Becquerel, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 for his discovery of radioactivity. American musician and rapper Becky G, known for hits like "Shower" and "Mayores." These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields and continue to be recognized for their talent and achievements.

Genealogical research on the last name Bec

The last name Bec is of French origin and is derived from the Old French word "bec," meaning beak or nose. The surname may have originally been a nickname for someone with a prominent or distinctive nose. The earliest recorded instances of the Bec surname date back to medieval times in France. Over the centuries, individuals bearing the last name Bec spread to other parts of Europe, including England and Spain. Variations of the surname, such as Beck and Becque, can also be found in different regions. Genealogical research on the surname Bec may reveal connections to a variety of historical figures, as well as insights into the migration patterns and occupations of the individuals who carried the name.

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 : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Bec-jean (Last name)

surnames > bec-jean

The surname "Bec Jean" is of French origin. It is derived from the French word "bec," which means "beak" or "nose," and the given name "Jean," which is a form of John. The surname ...

Becalli (Last name)

surnames > becalli

The last name "Becalli" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Becallo", which comes from the ancient Greek name "Vakalo". The name likely originated in Italy ...

Becam (Last name)

surnames > becam

The last name Becam is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "bec," meaning "beak" or "nose." It likely originated as a nickname for someone with a prominent or ...

Becamel (Last name)

surnames > becamel

The origin of the last name "Becamel" is unclear. It does not have a widely recognized origin or specific meaning in any particular language. It may be a variant or adaptation of a...

Bečanová (Last name)

surnames > be-anova

The surname Beanova is of Czech origin. It is derived from the Czech word "bez" meaning "without" and "nova" meaning "new," suggesting a possible historical occupation or character...

Becaud (Last name)

surnames > becaud

The last name "Bécaud" has French origins. It is derived from the Old French word "bécard," meaning a castrated male sheep or goat. In ancient times, castrated animals were often...

Becaus (Last name)

surnames > becaus

The last name "Becaus" is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch word "bezorg" meaning "to take care of" or "to provide for". The name may have originally been used as an oc...

Beccalli (Last name)

surnames > beccalli

The last name Beccalli is of Italian origin. It is a locational surname derived from the place name Beccalli, which is a regional name for someone who lived near a stream, derived ...

Beccaria (Last name)

surnames > beccaria

The surname Beccaria is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "becco," which means "beak" or "nose," and is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone with a pr...

Beccarini (Last name)

surnames > beccarini

The surname Beccarini is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "beccaro" which means butcher in Italian. It is believed to have originally been a occupational surname for ...

Beccue (Last name)

surnames > beccue

The surname "Beccue" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "beche" which means "axe", and was likely used as a nickname for someone who worked as a woodcutter...

Becel (Last name)

surnames > becel

The surname Becel is of Turkish origin. It is derived from the Turkish word "bēcel" which means "skillful" or "capable". It is a common surname in Turkey and may have been used to...

Becena (Last name)

surnames > becena

The surname Becena is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "beceno," meaning "heifer" or "young cow."

Becenti (Last name)

surnames > becenti

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Becera (Last name)

surnames > becera

The last name Becera is of Spanish origin. It is most likely derived from the Spanish word "becerro", which means "calf" or "young bull". It is possible that the surname was origin...