Last Name Boullenger

Learn more about the origin of the last name Boullenger

The meaning and origin of the last name Boullenger

The surname Boullenger is of French origin, derived from a place name or a nickname. It can be traced back to the Old French "boulenc," which means "young bull" or "calf." This name could have been given as a metaphorical nickname to someone who was strong and sturdy, like a young bull. Alternatively, it might have originated from a place named Boulleng (now spelled Bouleng) in the Nord department of France. As people migrated from their homeland, they often took their place names as surnames with them, contributing to the widespread use of the name Boullenger across various regions. Over time, variations such as Bolinger, Bulinger, and Bullinger have emerged due to spelling changes influenced by local dialects and languages.

Geographical distribution of the last name Boullenger

The surname Boullenger is primarily found in France and its former colonies, with significant concentrations in Brittany, where it originated, and Quebec, Canada, due to French immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. Smaller populations can also be found in England, the United States, particularly Louisiana and New York, and Australia, as a result of historical migration patterns. In recent times, Boullenger diaspora has expanded globally, but these regions continue to have the highest frequencies of the name.

Variants and spellings of the last name Boullenger

The surname Boullenger can be found with various spellings and variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include Bullinger, Bollinger, Bulenger, and Bolinger. These variations may arise from regional dialects, changes in spelling conventions, or errors during data entry or documentation processes. It is also possible to find Boullenger with diacritics such as Boullenger' (with an acute accent on the 'e') and Boulanger (with a circumflex accent on the 'o'), which are more common in French-speaking regions, given that the name has origins in France. Ultimately, all these forms share the same root, making them essentially equivalent as far as family lineage is concerned.

Famous people with the last name Boullenger

One notable individual with the surname Boullenger is Sir Francis Henry Jackson Boullenger (1864-1937), a British zoologist and comparative anatomist who was appointed as a professor at University College London in 1898, where he served for over three decades. He contributed significantly to the study of fish morphology, publishing several influential works, including "Fishes with Skeletons of Hyomandibula" (1902) and "The Structure and Development of the Vertebrate Skeleton" (1915). Another prominent figure is Paul Boullenger (born 1963), a Canadian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who gained popularity in the 1980s as the lead vocalist for the new wave band Men Without Hats. His most famous work includes the hit single "The Safety Dance." These examples demonstrate the diverse accomplishments of individuals bearing the Boullenger surname across various fields such as academia and music.

Genealogical research on the last name Boullenger

The Boullenger surname originates from France and is derived from the Old French "boulanger," meaning baker. Early records show that this name was commonly found in Normandy, where many French families migrated to England during the reign of William the Conqueror in the 11th century. In England, the Boullenger family resided primarily in Devon and Cornwall. The family's migration to North America began in the late 17th century when several members settled in Virginia. By the 1800s, a significant number of Boullengers had moved westward, settling in states such as Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Some branches of the family also migrated to Canada, particularly in Quebec and Ontario. Notable individuals with the Boullenger surname include a Louis Boullenger, who served as a lieutenant during the American Revolutionary War, and a Daniel Boullenger, an early settler in Ohio who was involved in local politics and education.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "boullenger"
• 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 August 2025