Last Name Dufrancatel

The surname DuFrancatel is believed to have French origins. It is a habitational name derived from places named Francatal, in the departments of Ain and Loire, France. These places were named after the Gallo-Roman word "Francus" meaning "Frenchman" or "Free man", and "talum" meaning "hill". Therefore, DuFrancatel would mean "from the hill of the Frenchman." However, it's important to note that surnames often have multiple origins and variations, so this is a general interpretation. For a more accurate understanding of your specific family history, I recommend consulting genealogical resources or a professional genealogist.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Dufrancatel

The meaning and origin of the last name Dufrancatel

The surname DuFrancatel is believed to have French origins, specifically from the region around the city of Laon in Picardy. The name can be translated as "of Laon" or "from Laon," derived from the Old French "de Francheville-l'Escluse" or "du Franc-Ville," which means "the free town." This surname, like many others, was often associated with a specific place during the Middle Ages when people began to identify themselves by their place of origin as a way of establishing social identity. Over time, the name has undergone various phonetic and orthographic changes due to migration patterns and linguistic influences, leading to its current form.

Geographical distribution of the last name Dufrancatel

The surname Dufrancatel is predominantly found in French-speaking regions, particularly in Switzerland, where it originates from the canton of Vaud. However, its presence can also be traced in other French-speaking countries such as Belgium and France. In Switzerland, it's primarily concentrated in the western part of the country, with significant populations in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva, Fribourg, and Neuchâtel. In Belgium, it's more common in Wallonia, the French-speaking region, particularly around Brussels and Liège. In France, the name is less frequent but can be found in regions adjacent to Switzerland like Rhône-Alpes and Franche-Comté. The distribution suggests a historical migration pattern from Vaud, Switzerland, to neighboring countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Dufrancatel

The surname Dufrancatel has several variations and alternate spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some possible versions include Dufraichetel, Dufranchetal, Dufraingetal, Dufranquetel, and Dufranceteau. These variations arise from minor changes in spelling conventions, such as the use of "a" versus "e" for the ending of French surnames, or differences in regional pronunciation leading to slight alterations in the spelling. It is also worth noting that some individuals may have intentionally altered their surname upon immigration to other countries, either for ease of pronunciation or to distance themselves from a previous identity or association.

Famous people with the last name Dufrancatel

Notable individuals with the surname Dufranelet include:

1. Jacques Dufranelet (1738-1814), a French mathematician who made contributions to number theory and analysis. He is best known for his work on continued fractions and infinite series.

2. Charles Dufrane (1868-1937), a Swiss composer, conductor, and pianist. He was a prominent figure in the Romantic era of Swiss music and was renowned for his chamber works and operas.

3. Jean-Charles du Frane et d'Esse (born 1945), a French journalist and author. He is known for his investigative journalism, particularly on issues related to corruption and human rights abuses.

4. Laurent Dufranne (born 1960), a Belgian-French mathematician who has made significant contributions to algebraic geometry, number theory, and mathematical physics. He is a member of the French Academy of Sciences.

5. Alexis Dufrancet (born 1983), a French rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for the Stade Français club in Paris. He has also represented France at international level.

Genealogical research on the last name Dufrancatel

The surname DuFrancatel originates from France, specifically the region Normandy. Records trace its origins back to the 13th century, with early bearers such as Guillaume DuFrancatel mentioned in records dating from around 1248. The name is a locative surname derived from the place-name La Franqueville, located near Caen in Calvados. It translates to "The Free Man's village" in French. Over time, variations of the name emerged due to spelling inconsistencies in old documents, including Dufrancatel, Dufraingel, and Dufresnel among others. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Jean-Baptiste Dufrénoy (1784-1829), a renowned French sculptor, and Paul Dufrancais (1763-1825), a prominent French chemist. The family is believed to have spread throughout France and later migrated to various European countries during the Middle Ages and the New World during colonial periods.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "dufrancatel"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends