NomOrigine Background

Last Name Beraud

What is the origin of the last name Beraud?

The surname Beraud is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "berau," which means "bear." This surname was often given to individuals who lived near a place where bears were found or to someone who had a characteristic resemblance to a bear, such as strength or ferocity. The name Beraud can also be found in other European countries due to historical migrations and the spread of the French language.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Beraud

The meaning and origin of the last name Beraud

The surname Beraud is of French origin, specifically from the region of Normandy, where it was originally spelled as Beraude, which means "strong, brave, or bold" in Old Norse. The Normans were descendants of Viking settlers who invaded France in the 9th century AD. Over time, the surname evolved to its modern form through various spellings such as Béraud, Beraudeau, and Berrault, reflecting the phonetic variations common during the Middle Ages. The name Beraud is relatively uncommon today but remains a testament to the Norse-French cultural fusion that took place in Normandy centuries ago.

Geographical distribution of the last name Beraud

The surname Beraud is predominantly found in France, particularly in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie, where it originated from medieval times. Historically, the name was associated with the town of Montbrison in the Loire department of Auvergne. The family name also has a presence in other regions of France such as Brittany, Normandy, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Outside of France, Beraud can be found sparsely across French-speaking countries like Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and parts of Africa where French is spoken. Additionally, due to emigration, there are also individuals with the surname Beraud in English-speaking nations such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variants and spellings of the last name Beraud

The surname Beraud has various spelling and pronunciation variations due to regional dialects, transcription errors, and individual preferences. Some of these variants include Berault, Beralde, Bérard, Bérau, Beraud, Berault, Berould, Berau, and Bearold. It is important to note that the correct spelling can depend on geographical location or cultural background, as well as historical periods. The name Beraud is of French origin, derived from the given name Bernard, meaning "brave as a bear" in Old High German. It was popularized during the Middle Ages and remains a common surname in France and its diaspora.

Famous people with the last name Beraud

Notable individuals sharing the last name Beraud include: 1. Paul Béraud (1842-1907): A French photographer who specialized in landscape and architectural photography, known for his detailed and realistic images. His works often depicted iconic sites of France, such as Mont Saint-Michel and the Loire Valley. 2. Émile Beraud (1853-1935): A French academic painter from the Barbizon School. He was a student of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and is known for his landscapes and genre scenes, often set in rural France. 3. Marie Béraud-Saunders (1862-1947): A French composer, pianist, and conductor who settled in the United States. She was one of the first women to become a professional composer in America. Her works included operas, symphonic compositions, and songs. 4. Bernard Béraud (born 1952): A French actor known for his roles in films such as "La guerre des boutons" (1964) and "The Long Good Friday" (1980). He also worked extensively on television, appearing in series like "Les Enfants du Loup" (1971-1989) and "Le juge est une femme" (2003-2014).

Genealogical research on the last name Beraud

The surname Beraud is primarily of French origin, believed to have derived from the Old French "bera", meaning "bear". Early records show that the name was present in Normandy during the Middle Ages and followed the conquering Normans into England after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The family's early history is associated with the regions of Basse-Normandie and Haute-Normandie, where many Berauds remained for centuries. Notable individuals bearing the name include Jean Bérault de Verneuil, a prominent figure during the Hundred Years War between England and France. In modern times, the Beraud family has been found in various parts of France as well as in other countries due to immigration and marital dispersal. Genealogical research indicates that branches of the Beraud family can be traced back to the 12th century, with significant growth and migration occurring from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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 : 12 June 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

Berabu (Last name)

surnames > berabu

The last name "Berabu" is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the Romanian word "berbec," which means "ram" or "sheep."

Beraha (Last name)

surnames > beraha

The last name Beraha is of Sephardic Jewish origin, deriving from the Hebrew word "berachah" which means blessing. It is commonly found among Sephardic Jewish communities in the Mi...

Berake (Last name)

surnames > berake

The last name Berake is of Ethiopian origin. It is derived from the Amharic word "berka," meaning "blessing" or "grace." Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian community often...

Beraldo (Last name)

surnames > beraldo

The surname Beraldo is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name Berardo, which is a variant of the name Bernardo. The name Bernardo is of Germanic origin, derived fr...

Berame (Last name)

surnames > berame

The last name Berame is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the word "birame," which means "difference" or "variation" in the Ilocano language.

Beran (Last name)

surnames > beran

The last name "Beran" is of Czech origin. It is a cognate of the surname "Bern," which means "bear" in Czech and is likely derived from a nickname or personal characteristic associ...

Berana (Last name)

surnames > berana

The surname "Berana" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "berenar," which means "to have a snack" or "to have a meal" in Catalan. This surname may have originated as ...

Berania (Last name)

surnames > berania

The last name Berania does not have a well-documented origin or meaning. It is a quite rare surname and does not appear to have a specific cultural or linguistic background. It is ...

Berardinelli (Last name)

surnames > berardinelli

The last name Berardinelli is of Italian origin. It is derived from the given name Berardo, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Bernhard, meaning "brave bear". The suffix...

Berawan (Last name)

surnames > berawan

The last name "Berawan" originates from the Lakota language, meaning "without horns" or "bald." The name is likely of Native American origin.

Beraza (Last name)

surnames > beraza

The surname Beraza is of Basque origin, which is a region located in the northern part of Spain and southwestern France. Basque surnames often have pre-Christian origins and are di...

Berbania (Last name)

surnames > berbania

The last name "Berbania" is of Italian origin. It likely derived from the place name Berbentia, a town in the Calabria region of southern Italy.

Berbari (Last name)

surnames > berbari

The last name "Berbari" is of Arabic origin. It is a common surname among people of Lebanese or Syrian descent. The meaning of the name is not entirely clear, but it may be derived...

Berbati (Last name)

surnames > berbati

The last name "Berbati" is of Greek origin. It is thought to be a locational surname derived from the village of Verbiti in Greece. The name may also have origins in the Turkish wo...

Berbegal (Last name)

surnames > berbegal

The surname Berbegal has its origins in Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it was originally used by someone who lived near or originated...