Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Boullenger

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Boullenger?

The surname Boullenger is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French "bolenge" meaning "dweller by the mill." The surname likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a mill. Over time, the spelling evolved to Boullenger due to various factors such as scribal errors, regional dialects, and assimilation of names from other languages.

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

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Bou

Last name • surnames > bou

The surname "Bou" has several origins, depending on the region and country it is found. Here are some possible origins for this surname: 1. France: It may be a local name denoting...

#2 Bou ajram

Last name • surnames > bou-ajram

The last name Bou Ajram is of Arabic origin. Bou is a prefix meaning "son of" in Arabic, while Ajram is a common Lebanese surname. Bou Ajram likely indicates that the person is the...

#3 Bou akar

Last name • surnames > bou-akar

The last name Bou Akar is of Arabic origin. Bou is a common Arabic prefix meaning "son of", while Akar means "root" or "foundation" in Arabic. Therefore, Bou Akar likely signifies ...

#4 Bou ayache

Last name • surnames > bou-ayache

The last name "Bou Ayache" is of Arabic origin. It likely comes from the Arabic word "bou", meaning "son of", and the name "Ayache", which is a common Arabic surname.

#5 Bou chebel

Last name • surnames > bou-chebel

The last name Bou Chebel is of Arabic origin. Bou means "son of" and Chebel is a common Arabic surname.

#6 Bou dhief

Last name • surnames > bou-dhief

The last name "Bou Dhief" is of North African origin, specifically from Algeria. It is derived from the Arabic word "Bou" meaning "son of" and "Dhief" which is a common Arabic surn...

#7 Bou dib

Last name • surnames > bou-dib

The last name "Bou Dib" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "bou," meaning "father of," and the name Dib, which means "wolf" in Arabic.

#8 Bou hasson

Last name • surnames > bou-hasson

The last name "Bou Hasson" originates from North Africa, specifically from countries such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. It is commonly found among Arabic-speaking populations i...

#9 Bou moughlbay

Last name • surnames > bou-moughlbay

The last name "Bou Moughlbay" is of Arabic origin. It is a combination of "Bou," meaning "son of," and "Moughlbay," which may be a locational surname referring to a specific place ...

#10 Bou saleh

Last name • surnames > bou-saleh

The last name "Bou Saleh" is of Arabic origin. It is a common surname in North Africa, specifically in countries like Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. The name is believed to be deri...

#11 Bou soboh

Last name • surnames > bou-soboh

The last name "Bou Soboh" is of Arabic origin. It may refer to a specific geographic location, profession, or personal characteristic.

#12 Bou tyour

Last name • surnames > bou-tyour

The last name "Bou Tyour" is of Arabic origin. Bou is a common prefix meaning "son of" in Arabic, while Tyour is likely a variation of the Arabic word "Tayyib" meaning "good" or "p...

#13 Bou-assi

Last name • surnames > bou-assi

The last name "Bou Assi" is a Lebanese surname. In Arabic, "Bou" means "father of" and "Assi" could be derived from the Arabic word for "Myth" or "Nest". Therefore, "Bou Assi" coul...

#14 Bou-doumit

Last name • surnames > bou-doumit

The last name "Bou Doumit" is of Lebanese origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "Bou" which means "father of" or "son of", and "Doumit" which is a common Lebanese Christian su...

#15 Bou-eid

Last name • surnames > bou-eid

The surname Bou-Eid is of Arabic origin and is derived from a personal name. "Bou" is an honorific prefix that translates to "son of," while "Eid" means "celebration" or "festival....