Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Defays

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Defays?

The surname Defays is believed to have French origins. It is derived from a number of possible sources. One possibility is that it comes from a nickname meaning "de feu" or "of fire," which could refer to someone with red hair or a fiery temperament. Another possibility is that it comes from the given name "Day," which was brought to France by the Normans and then later adopted as a surname. Additionally, it could also come from a place name in France, such as Défays in the Somme department.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Defays

The meaning and origin of the last name Defays

The surname Defays is of French origin, derived from various geographical locations or occupations within France. One possible source suggests that it could originate from the region of Défay in the department of Yonne, which may have provided a topographic name for someone who lived there. Another hypothesis associates the surname with an occupation, specifically a maker of defensive walls or fortifications, as "défaye" means 'fortification' in Old French. Over time, the spelling has evolved from De Fays to Defays, and it is now found among various French-speaking populations around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Defays

The surname Defays is predominantly of French origin, with the majority of its occurrences found within France. Specifically, it's most frequent in the Wallonia region, particularly in the provinces of Hainaut and Liège. Beyond France, the name also has a presence in countries with significant French-speaking populations, such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada. In these places, it can be found primarily among communities that originated from France or Wallonia. Additionally, small numbers of people bearing the surname Defays can be found in other parts of the world, particularly in countries where there are large expatriate French communities, like the United States, Australia, and various countries in Africa and Asia.

Variants and spellings of the last name Defays

The variant and spelling of the surname Defays can be found in several forms due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variations include De Fays, DeFays, De Faÿs, and DeFaÿs. These variations may stem from regional dialects or errors during data entry or record keeping. It's also possible that the name has been altered slightly through assimilation or anglicization in different countries. Regardless of spelling, the surname Defays is of French origin and can be traced back to nobility in Normandy, France.

Famous people with the last name Defays

Notable individuals with the surname DeFay include:

1. George DeFay (1839-1927), an American businessman who co-founded the firm DeFay, Schlosser & Co., which later became part of JPMorgan Chase.
2. Peter DeFazio (born 1947), an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 4th congressional district since 1987.
3. Raphaël de Fays (1733-1806), a French archaeologist and academic who was one of the founding members of the Société des Antiquaires de France.
4. Thomas DeFanti (born 1950), an American computer scientist known for his work in virtual reality, particularly in creating the first commercial VR system, the CAVE.
5. Tina Defay (born 1972), a Belgian actress who has appeared in numerous films and television series, including "The Broken Circle Breakdown" and "Flikken Marseille."

Genealogical research on the last name Defays

The surname Defays originates from France and is believed to have derived from the Old French "defi" meaning challenge or defense, and "fais," meaning maker or doer. It's thought that the name was originally given as an occupational name for a defender or someone who built fortifications.

The earliest recorded occurrence of the Defays surname in France dates back to the 13th century, specifically in the region of Picardy. Notable bearers of this name include the French physician Charles Defossez-Defays (1804-1859) and the French poet Maurice Defays (1872-1967).

Over time, family branches of the Defays lineage have migrated to various parts of Europe and the Americas, with a significant number settling in Belgium and Canada. In Quebec, Canada, the surname evolved into the variant "Défossez" or "Defossé."

Throughout history, genealogical records show that the Defays family has maintained a strong sense of community and pride in their heritage, with many generations passing down stories, traditions, and values within the extended family.

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 Defago

Last name • surnames > defago

The surname Defago is primarily of Swiss-Italian origin, specifically from the Canton of Graubünden (Grisons) in Switzerland, where Italian and Romansh are spoken alongside German...

#2 Defairi

Last name • surnames > defairi

I'm sorry, but I couldn't find any information on the origin or meaning of the surname "Defairi." It is possible that it is a rare or uncommon surname, which may make it more diffi...

#3 Defante

Last name • surnames > defante

The surname Defante is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Defante", which is a dialectal form of the Latin name "Defendens", meaning "defender" or "protector"...

#4 Defaru

Last name • surnames > defaru

The last name "Defaru" is of Ethiopian origin, specifically from the Oromo ethnic group.

#5 Deferrari

Last name • surnames > deferrari

The surname Deferrari originates from Italy and is derived from the medieval Latin term "de Ferraria," meaning "from the blacksmith's forge." This surname was often given to indivi...

#6 Defez

Last name • surnames > defez

The origin of the surname Defez can be traced back to Spain and France. It is derived from a variety of place names, most notably from the town "Deu-Ferrat" in the Pyrenees region ...

#7 Deffodil flower

Last name • surnames > deffodil-flower

The last name "Deffodil" is likely of English origin and may be derived from the word "daffodil," which is a type of flower. The name could have been given to someone who lived nea...

#8 Deffoun

Last name • surnames > deffoun

The last name "Deffoun" does not appear to have a commonly known origin or meaning. It is possible that the name has regional or family-specific origins that may not be widely docu...

#9 Defilippi

Last name • surnames > defilippi

The last name "Defilippi" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Filippo," which comes from the Greek name "Philippos," meaning "lover of horses." The prefix "...

#10 Defiya

Last name • surnames > defiya

The surname Defiya is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "defiar," meaning "to challenge" or "to defy." This surname may have originally been a nickname for som...

#11 Deflandre

Last name • surnames > deflandre

The surname Deflandre has French origins. It is a habitational name derived from places named Deflandres or Defflandres, found in Pas-de-Calais and Somme departments in Northern Fr...

#12 Defoe

Last name • surnames > defoe

The surname Defoe is of French origin, derived from the Old French name "Dufaux", meaning "of the falcon". It is likely that the name was originally used as a nickname for someone ...

#13 Defontaine

Last name • surnames > defontaine

The surname Defontaine is of French origin. It originates from the Old French words "de" (meaning "from") and "fontaine" (meaning "fountain"). This name was given to someone who li...

#14 Defoor

Last name • surnames > defoor

The surname "Defoor" is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "defois", meaning "after". It was often used to denote someone who lived on land that was acquired after ...

#15 Defosse

Last name • surnames > defosse

The surname Defosse is of French origin. It derives from the Old French word "defose" which means "deforestation." This surname was often given to people who lived near deforested ...