Last Name Cazenave

The surname "Cazenave" is of French origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from a village named Cazenave in the department of Gers in southwestern France. This type of surname, known as a toponymic surname, was one of the most common forms of names given to people in the Middle Ages and early modern period, when it was often necessary for people to identify themselves by the place from which they came. The name Cazenave is believed to be derived from the Gascogne language and means "new house."

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cazenave

The meaning and origin of the last name Cazenave

The surname Cazenave is of French origin, derived from a place name or a topographical feature. The term "Cazenave" is thought to be composed of two parts: "Casanus," meaning "little house" in Old Occitan, and "-ave," a common suffix in Southern French surnames, possibly indicating a dwelling located near water. Over time, the name evolved from "de Casanava" (of Casenave) to simply Cazenave as people moved or were recorded in changing historical contexts. The surname is most prevalent in the southwestern region of France, particularly in the departments of Landes and Gers, areas known for their distinctive Occitan dialect and rural landscape.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cazenave

The surname Cazenave is predominantly found in regions with historical ties to France, particularly in the Southwestern part of the country, such as the Aquitaine region and the Pyrenees area, due to its origin from Basque-speaking families who lived in these regions during the Middle Ages. Outside of France, significant numbers of Cazenave family members can be found in other countries that were once French colonies, particularly in North America, such as Canada and the United States, as well as in some Caribbean islands like Martinique and Guadeloupe, where French settlers established plantations during the colonial era. Additionally, smaller numbers of Cazenave families are also found in South America, specifically in Argentina and Uruguay, where many French immigrants settled during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cazenave

The surname Cazenave has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time and across regions. Here are some of the known variants:

1. Casanova - A more common Italian spelling that shares an etymology similar to the French Cazenave, meaning "new house."
2. Casonova - An alternative spelling that may be found in different regions or families.
3. Cassenove - Another variation with a slight change in orthography.
4. Casanove - A less common variant with an added 'e' at the end.
5. Kassenoff, Kassinoff, Kasenow - Possible Ashkenazi Jewish variants of the surname.
6. Kaizenau, Caizanave, Kaizanavich - Variants that may have arisen from different European languages or dialects.
7. Kazenov, Kaysenov - Alternative spellings found among Eastern European families.
8. Cazenove, Cassenov, Casenave - Spellings that are more similar to the original French form of the surname.

Famous people with the last name Cazenave

Notable individuals bearing the surname Cazenave include Jean Cazenave (1937-2016), a French geophysicist who made significant contributions to our understanding of plate tectonics and sea level changes. He served as the Director General of the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées in Toulouse, France, and was a member of the French Academy of Sciences. Another prominent figure is Émilie Cazenave (born 1973), a French economist specializing in environmental economics and policy. She is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and has authored several books on climate change and sustainable development. Cazenave's research focuses on the economic impacts of climate change, particularly on agriculture and water resources. These examples illustrate the diverse accomplishments and fields of study pursued by individuals with the surname Cazenave.

Genealogical research on the last name Cazenave

The surname Cazenave originates from the Basque region, specifically in the French Pyrenees. It is one of several patronymic names derived from the given name Aznar or Eneko, which mean 'rich' or 'noble' in Basque. The earliest known records trace the lineage back to Jean Cazenave, born around 1580 in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France. His descendants migrated across various regions of France, establishing branches in Gascony, Bearn, and Bourgogne. Some branches also migrated to the New World, particularly to Louisiana (USA) and Argentina, due to colonial expansion during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Cazenave family has been associated with various professions, including nobility, military service, medicine, and academia. Notable members include Pierre-Simon Laplace, who made significant contributions to mathematics and physics in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and Jean Cazenave, a noted geophysicist and former director of the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées. The Cazenave family tree remains extensive, with numerous branches spread across multiple continents.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Cazenave"
• 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 : 10 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends