Last Name Boucher

The surname "Boucher" has French origins. It is derived from the Old French word "bouchier," which means "butcher." As a result, the name was historically associated with individuals engaged in the occupation of a butcher or someone who worked with meat. Over time, the surname "Boucher" became hereditary, passed down through generations. Therefore, individuals with the last name "Boucher" might have ancestors who were butchers or had some connection to the meat trade in France.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Boucher

The Decennial U.S. Census data also reveals shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the Boucher surname from 2000 to 2010. There was an increase in the percentage of people of Asian/Pacific Islander, Two or more races, Hispanic, Black, and American Indian and Alaskan Native ethnicities bearing this surname. The most significant growth was seen in the Asian/Pacific Islander group with a 48.94% increase, followed by the Black ethnicity with a 37.41% rise. Conversely, there was a minor dip in the White ethnicity, descending from 94.87% in 2000 to 93.21% in 2010, which represents a -1.75% change.

	2000	2010	Change
White	94.87%	93.21%	-1.75%
Black	1.47%	2.02%	37.41%
Hispanic	1.36%	1.86%	36.76%
Two or More Races	1.28%	1.6%	25%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.47%	0.7%	48.94%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.56%	0.61%	8.93%

Boucher 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 Boucher is British & Irish, which comprises 42.5% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (32.0%) and Eastern European (5.2%). Additional ancestries include Spanish & Portuguese, Italian, Scandinavian, Ashkenazi Jewish, and Chinese.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
British & Irish	42.5%
French & German	32.0%
Eastern European	5.2%
Other	20.4%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to Napolean Bonaparte

The French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte descended from the common ancestor of haplogroup E-M34. The male line of the Bonaparte family was from Tuscany, where Napoleon's earliest known male ancestors lived for at least six generations. Eleven generations before Napoleon, his ancestor, Giovanni, was the first to leave Tuscany for Corsica. The Bonaparte lineage lived in Corsica for ten generations before Napoleon's father, Charles-Marie Bonaparte. Charles-Marie (born in 1746) married Napoleon's mother, Letizia Ramolino, at the age of 18 in 1764.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Boucher

The meaning and origin of the last name Boucher

The surname Boucher is of French origin and derives from the Old French word "boucher," meaning a "butcher" or "meat cutter." It originated as an occupational name for a butcher, someone who prepared and sold meat in medieval France. This name was given to individuals who were engaged in the trade of butchery, either as an artisan or a shop owner. The occupation of a butcher was highly important in medieval times, as it involved handling and selling meat in the local community. The surname Boucher suggests that an ancestor of someone with this name was likely involved in this profession and may have been considered skillful in their trade. Over time, individuals with the name Boucher migrated to other countries, and the surname gained variations such as "Boucherat" or "Bouchard" in different regions. Today, descendants of those with the surname Boucher can be found throughout the world, carrying on the historical significance of this occupational name.

Geographical distribution of the last name Boucher

The last name Boucher is primarily of French origin, which suggests a concentrated geographical distribution in France and other French-speaking regions. In France, the name Boucher is fairly common and can be found across the country, with potential clusters in areas such as the Île-de-France region, where the capital city of Paris is located. Additionally, the name may be present in other French-speaking countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland due to historical and cultural ties with France. Outside of the Francophone world, the surname Boucher is also found across various English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This dispersion may be attributed to immigration patterns over the years, as individuals with the last name Boucher may have moved to seek new opportunities or to join existing communities of French descent. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Boucher indicates a significant presence in France and other Francophone regions, as well as a scattered occurrence in English-speaking countries with ties to France.

Variants and spellings of the last name Boucher

The last name Boucher, a variant of the French word "boucher" meaning "butcher" or "meat cutter," has several spellings and variations. In its original French form, it can be spelled as Boucher or Bouché. As the name migrated to English-speaking regions, different spellings emerged, including Butcher, Bouche, Bouchee, and Bushey. The name might also have undergone changes due to local dialects or the phonetic interpretation by immigration officials during the name registration process. Regional variations can be found as Böcher in German-speaking countries or even Bocci in Italy. Additionally, individuals with this last name might use different variations depending on personal preference or family tradition. Despite the variations in spelling, all these forms retain the same historical association with the profession of butchery, reflecting the ancestral occupation of those who carried the name.

Famous people with the last name Boucher

One of the most well-known figures with the last name Boucher is François Boucher (1703-1770), a prominent French Rococo painter. He was favored by King Louis XV and known for his delicate and playful portrayals of female figures, mythological scenes, and decorative arts. Boucher's art was characterized by its pastel colors, intricate details, and a sense of fantasy. He is considered one of the leading artists of his time, making a significant impact on the development of the Rococo style. Another notable figure is Bobby Boucher, a fictional character portrayed by Adam Sandler in the 1998 comedy film "The Waterboy." Bobby Boucher is a socially awkward but talented waterboy for a college football team who discovers his ability to tackle opponents. The film gained popularity for its humor and memorable quotes, and Sandler's performance as Bobby Boucher became widely recognized and celebrated. These individuals have contributed to the arts and entertainment industries, leaving a lasting legacy associated with the name Boucher.

Genealogical research on the last name Boucher

The last name Boucher has a rich and diverse genealogical history. It is a French occupational surname derived from the word "boucher," meaning butcher. The earliest known records of the Boucher name date back to the 12th century in France. The Boucher family spread throughout various regions in France, including Normandy, Brittany, and Provence. Over the centuries, some branches of the family migrated to different parts of the world, such as Canada, where the name became prominent during the French colonization of North America. Today, Boucher families can be found in many countries, with significant populations in France, Canada, the United States, and Belgium. Genealogical research on the Boucher name often reveals connections to individuals involved in the meat trade, butchers, as well as farmers and craftsmen. The Boucher family name remains an important part of familial heritage for many individuals worldwide.

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