Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Cayeux

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Cayeux?

The surname Cayeux is of French origin. It derives from a place name, specifically from various locations named "Cayeu" or "Cayé" found primarily in the northwestern region of France, such as in Normandy and Brittany. Toponyms formed the base for many European surnames, as people often took their names from the places where they lived or worked. In this case, the name Cayeux is likely a habitational name taken by someone who lived in one of the places named Cayeu or Cayé.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cayeux

The meaning and origin of the last name Cayeux

The surname Cayeux is a French name, rooted in Norman ancestry. It originates from the Old French word "cai(e)," meaning "goat" or "kid." In medieval times, it was common for surnames to be associated with an occupational or geographical reference, and Cayeux may have been a nickname given to someone who owned a goat or lived near a place where goats were kept. Over time, the name evolved from its original spelling of Caie, Kaie, Kai, or Kaye to the modern form of Cayeux. Today, it is most prevalent in France and regions inhabited by French settlers, such as Canada and Louisiana, USA.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cayeux

The surname Cayeux is predominantly found in French-speaking regions, particularly in France and Quebec, Canada. It originates from Normandy, a region in northern France, where it was originally a topographical name for someone who lived near a small river or stream known as "le Cai" in Old French. Over time, the name spread to other parts of France, including Picardy and Brittany. In Canada, it is most common in Quebec, especially in areas where French settlers from Normandy and elsewhere in France settled, such as Montreal and the surrounding region. Additionally, there are minor concentrations of individuals with the surname Cayeux in other parts of the world, including the United States, due to immigration from France and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cayeux

The surname Cayeux has several variations and spelling derivatives due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time. Some common variants include Caieux, Caioux, Kayeux, Cayeus, Kayeus, Kaiois, and Keious. These variations may originate from regional dialects, errors during census recordings, or individual preferences when emigrating to other countries. It is essential to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate different origins of the family but are rather phonetic adaptations to local pronunciation rules or scribal errors.

Famous people with the last name Cayeux

Notable individuals with the surname Cayeux include:

1. Paul Cayeux (1868-1943), a French sculptor known for his decorative arts, particularly his bronze and terracotta work. His designs were often used in public buildings and monuments.

2. Philippe Cayeux (born 1950), a French writer who has published several novels, including "Le Livre noir de l'Otan" (The Black Book of NATO) and "L'Empire de la terreur" (The Empire of Terror).

3. Jérôme Cayeux (born 1980), a French professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various teams, including Montpellier HSC, RC Lens, and Valenciennes FC. He also represented the France national team at the under-20 level.

4. Paul-Émile Cayeux (1876-1935), a French architect who was instrumental in the development of modernist architecture in Paris during the 1920s and 1930s. His designs emphasized functionality, simplicity, and a rejection of historical styles.

Genealogical research on the last name Cayeux

The surname Cayeux is believed to have originated from the region of Normandy, France. Historically, it's associated with the town of Vienne-en-Val, in the Calvados department. The name is thought to be derived from a topographic or occupational name, possibly meaning "a house by the willow," from Old French "chay," meaning "willow," and "eix," meaning "house" or "dwelling."

The Cayeux family migrated to Canada in the 17th century, with many settling in Quebec. Pierre Cayeux, a ship carpenter, arrived in Quebec City in 1634 as part of the Carignan-Salières regiment. The family continued to expand in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick.

In the United States, the surname Cayeux is most prevalent in Louisiana, with a significant number of descendants from Acadian exiles who were expelled from Nova Scotia in 1755 and resettled in Louisiana by the British. The surname remains common in both Canada and the United States to this day.

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 Cay

Last name • surnames > cay

The surname "Cay" is believed to have several possible origins. Here are a few: 1. English: A regional name from Yorkshire, from places named Kay or Key, which come from Old Norse...

#2 Caya

Last name • surnames > caya

The surname Caya has multiple possible origins, depending on the specific region and ethnicity. In Spain, it is a variation of the Basque surname Kortaia, which means "from the mea...

#3 Cayabyab vargas

Last name • surnames > cayabyab-vargas

The surname Cayabyab Vargas is of Filipino origin. Cayabyab is a common surname in the Philippines, believed to have originated from the Tagalog word "kayabyab," which means "beaut...

#4 Cayachoa cuadroz

Last name • surnames > cayachoa-cuadroz

The last name "Cayachoa Cuadroz" appears to be of Spanish origin. "Cayachoa" may be a variant or misspelling of the Spanish surname "Cayacho" or "Cayaco," which could have regional...

#5 Cayamba

Last name • surnames > cayamba

The last name "Cayamba" is of African origin. It is believed to be derived from a Bantu language, specifically from the Swahili word "kaya" meaning "home" or "village." The suffix ...

#6 Cayana

Last name • surnames > cayana

The last name "Cayana" is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "caña," which means "reed" or "cane." It is possible that the surname was originall...

#7 Cayanan navarro

Last name • surnames > cayanan-navarro

The last name "Cayanan Navarro" originates from the Philippines. "Cayanan" is a Filipino surname often found in the Ilocos Region, while "Navarro" is a Spanish surname that is comm...

#8 Cayang adnan

Last name • surnames > cayang-adnan

The last name "Cayang Adnan" is of Indonesian origin. The name "Cayang" means beloved or dear in Indonesian, while "Adnan" is commonly used as a male first name in Indonesia and ot...

#9 Cayankmamahpapah

Last name • surnames > cayankmamahpapah

The last name "cayankmamahpapah" does not appear to have a clear origin in English. It is possible that this last name is a made-up or unique surname.

#10 Cayapas

Last name • surnames > cayapas

The surname Cayapas is of indigenous origin, specifically from the Cayapa people of Ecuador.

#11 Cayari

Last name • surnames > cayari

The last name "Cayari" is of Peruvian origin, specifically from the Quechua language spoken by indigenous peoples in Peru. It is derived from the Quechua word "qayari," which means...

#12 Cayatte

Last name • surnames > cayatte

The last name "Cayatte" appears to have French origins. It is a variant spelling of the surname "Cayat," which is derived from the place name "Cayatte" or "Cayat" in the Burgundy r...

#13 Caye

Last name • surnames > caye

The surname "Caye" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "cayo," which means "small island" in Spanish. This surname likely originated in regions where small islands we...

#14 Cayetuna

Last name • surnames > cayetuna

The surname "Cayetuna" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the given name "Cayetano," which comes from the Latin name "Gaietanus," meaning "from Gaeta," a town in Italy. This ...

#15 Cayiroglu

Last name • surnames > cayiroglu

The surname Cayiroglu is of Turkish origin. The name typically consists of two parts: "Cayi," which means "coffee grove" or "spring of coffee," and "Oglu," which means "son of." Th...