Last Name Doucoure

The surname Doucoure is of French origin. It's derived from the given name "Doucour" which was a medieval diminutive form of the name "Duc", meaning duke. This surname can also be found as Ducour, Doucourt, and variations thereof in various regions of France. The name likely originated among Normans, as it is more frequently found in northern regions such as Normandy and Brittany. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved due to phonetic changes, migration, and assimilation.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Doucoure

The meaning and origin of the last name Doucoure

The surname Doucoure is of French origin, specifically from Normandy, where it derives from the Old French word "doucure" or "douciure," which means "sweet water." This name was often given to individuals who lived near a sweet spring or a body of fresh water. Over time, as families migrated and settled in different regions, variations in the spelling of Doucoure emerged, such as Dauceur, Dauquier, Doucot, and others. Today, the surname Doucoure is most commonly found in France, Canada, and other French-speaking countries, particularly among descendants of Normans who participated in the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. As with many surnames, the specific origin of a particular Doucoure lineage may require further research to determine exact geographical or temporal origins.

Geographical distribution of the last name Doucoure

The surname Doucoure is predominantly found in West African countries, particularly in French-speaking regions such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Mali. It is also present in Guinea, Togo, and other French-influenced areas of West Africa. The name Doucoure or its variations (Doucouré, Dacouré, etc.) is a common African surname derived from the Mandinka word 'Dakuru', meaning 'to protect'. This suggests that families bearing this name may have held roles in protecting their communities historically. However, there are also instances of Doucoure families in Europe and the Americas, particularly France, Belgium, and Canada, as a result of migration from former French colonies.

Variants and spellings of the last name Doucoure

The surname Doucoure, or its variations, has multiple spellings and pronunciations. Some common variations include Doucouré, Douscoure, Doucure, Doukouré, and Dokoure, among others. These differences in spelling can be attributed to regional dialects, transcription errors, and assimilation into different linguistic systems over time. The name is of African origin, particularly from West Africa, where it is commonly found among the Malinké people in Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Mali. In these countries, the name is often pronounced with a silent "d" at the beginning, as in "coure." However, when written in Latin script, the initial letter is usually included for consistency with European naming conventions. The correct pronunciation and spelling can vary depending on individual preferences or regional dialects, making it an intriguing example of the diversity found within surnames worldwide.

Famous people with the last name Doucoure

Notable individuals with the surname Doucouré include:

1. Abdoulaye Doucouré, a professional footballer who plays for Watford FC and the Senegal national team. He was named Senegalese Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2019.

2. Idrissa Doumbia Doucouré, also known as Drissa Doumbia, a Malian professional footballer who plays for FC Köln and the Mali national team. He represented Mali at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

3. Cheick Doukouré, a French professional basketball player who currently plays for Valencia Basket Club in the Spanish ACB League. He was part of the French team that won the bronze medal at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

4. Oumar Doucouré, a Guinean film director known for his work on "Félicité" (2017), which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for a César Award.

5. Moustapha Koïta Doucouré, a Malian politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Mali since 2020. He is also a former diplomat, having served as Mali's Ambassador to France from 2014 to 2015.

Genealogical research on the last name Doucoure

The Doucoure surname is of French origin, derived from the Old Norman-French "D'Aucure," meaning "from Aucour," a place name in Normandy. The first recorded spelling of the name can be traced back to the early 13th century, with Jean D'Aucure appearing in Normandy church records around 1220 AD. As the Doucoure family migrated from France during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, various spellings emerged due to transliteration errors and regional dialects. Variants of the name include Deauville, Douvillier, Doucure, Ducoeur, and D'Aucour. Notable bearers of this name include Mathieu Doucoure, a French politician who served as a member of the National Assembly in the 18th century, and Pierre Doucouré, a renowned Senegalese poet and author. The Doucoure family has been widely dispersed across Europe and its colonies over the centuries, with significant populations found today in France, Senegal, Guinea, and various regions of North America.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Doucoure"
• 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 : 13 June 2025

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