NomOrigine Background

Last Name Dugas

What is the origin of the last name Dugas?

The surname Dugas is of French origin. It is derived from a given name, which was a diminutive form of the name Duchesne (meaning "duke's cunning one" or " Duke's clever one"). The name Duchesne itself is an occupational name for someone who served a duke or a high-ranking nobleman. Over time, the surname Dugas became a hereditary name in France and was later taken by French settlers to various parts of the world, including North America.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Dugas

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Dugas

The meaning and origin of the last name Dugas

The surname Dugas originates from France and is derived from various places with that name. In Old French, "Dou" means "thickly wooded," and "Gauze" means "enclosure" or "farmstead." Therefore, the name Dugas initially referred to someone who lived in a densely wooded farmstead or enclosure. The surname's variants include Dougas, DuGasse, and Dugat. Over time, as French settlers emigrated, the surname spread throughout various regions, including North America, where it is now commonly found among the French-speaking Canadian population in provinces such as Quebec and Acadia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Dugas

The surname Dugas has its roots primarily in France, specifically in the region of Normandy. It is also notably prevalent in Quebec, Canada, due to French colonization and subsequent migration. In the United States, Louisiana, particularly Acadiana, has a significant proportion of individuals with the last name Dugas, as a result of the Acadian diaspora following the Great Expulsion of 1755-1764. The surname can also be found in smaller numbers in other French-speaking countries like Belgium and Switzerland. In recent times, the dispersal of people with this name has increased globally due to migration and intermarriage.

Variants and spellings of the last name Dugas

The surname Dugas has several variations and spellings due to regional dialects, transcription errors, and family lineage. Some common variations include: DuGas, Du Gas, Dugasse, Dugat, Duga, Dugasseau, Dugazon, Dugès, Dugué, Dugas-Méan, and Dugast. It originates from France and is a patronymic name meaning "son of Duge," with Duge being derived from the Old French "Douce" or "Duche," meaning "sweet." The family name has been recorded in numerous historical documents dating back to the 13th century, primarily in regions such as Normandy and Brittany.

Famous people with the last name Dugas

Notable individuals with the surname Dugas include:

1. Clement J. Dugas (1893-1974), a Canadian astronomer who was one of the first to propose the existence of interstellar dust and who discovered several asteroids.
2. Dr. Joseph Dugas (1905-1996), a Canadian physician and epidemiologist known for his research on the genetic factors involved in breast cancer susceptibility. His work contributed to the understanding of the BRCA1 gene mutation.
3. Richard Dugas Jr. (1942-1987), an American serial killer who was active in the late 1970s and early 1980s in Louisiana. He is known for his method of setting fires to burn down the homes of his victims, leading to a significant increase in arson investigations in the United States.
4. Paul Dugas (born 1962), a Canadian ice hockey player who played professionally from 1980 to 1993. He won a gold medal with the Canadian national team at the 1987 World Ice Hockey Championships and played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, and Quebec Nordiques.
5. Kim Dugas (born 1965), an American former professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 47 in 1988. She won three WTA Tour titles during her career and represented the United States at the Fed Cup.

Genealogical research on the last name Dugas

The surname Dugas originates from France, specifically Normandy and Brittany regions. It is derived from the Old French "du Guesch" or "du Gas," meaning "from the heath" or "from the region of Gascony." The name was brought to North America by French colonists, particularly Acadians who settled in present-day Nova Scotia, Canada in the 17th century. After being expelled during the Great Expulsion (1755-1764), many Acadians migrated to Louisiana where their descendants still bear the name today. The Dugas family is also found in Louisiana's Cajun communities, a result of this historical migration. In the United States, the surname is most common in Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Maine. Notable individuals with the surname include Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards and Canadian ice hockey player Pierre-Marc Bouchard.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 23 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Dug-as (Last name)

surnames > dug-as

The surname "Dugas" is of French origin. It is a toponymic name referring to someone who lived in a place called "Dugas" in France. The name is derived from the Old French word "do...

Dugana giri (Last name)

surnames > dugana-giri

The last name Dugana Giri appears to have origins in India. Giri is a common surname in India and is often associated with the Brahmin caste, which is a Hindu priestly class. Dugan...

Dugaro (Last name)

surnames > dugaro

The last name Dugaro is believed to have originated in Italy. It is derived from the Italian word "dugare" which means to support or sustain. The surname may have originally been a...

Dugay basubas (Last name)

surnames > dugay-basubas

The last name "Dugay Basubas" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Visayan word "dugay" meaning "long" and "basubas" meaning "hair," likely indicating a person with long h...

Duge-de-bernonville (Last name)

surnames > duge-de-bernonville

The last name Duge de Bernonville originates from France. It is likely derived from a place name, possibly referring to a specific location or property owned by an individual or fa...

Dugenet (Last name)

surnames > dugenet

The last name "Dugenet" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Dugue", itself from the Old Norse name "Dag", meaning "day". The suffix "-et" is a dim...

Dugg (Last name)

surnames > dugg

The surname "Dugg" originated from Ireland. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic personal name "Dubh," meaning "black" or "dark."

Duggan (Last name)

surnames > duggan

The surname Duggan is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Duibhginn or Mac Duibhginn. These names derive from the personal name Dubhghinus, which means "dark and little"...

Duggila (Last name)

surnames > duggila

The last name Duggila originates from India. It is commonly found among Telugu-speaking people in the southern part of the country. The name is believed to be of occupational origi...

Duggirala (Last name)

surnames > duggirala

The last name "Duggirala" has its origin in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a Telugu surname and is believed to be derived from the village of Duggirala in the Guntur dis...

Dugha (Last name)

surnames > dugha

The last name "Dugha" is of Indian origin, specifically from the region of Punjab. It is a Sikh surname derived from the Punjabi word "dugga," which means a water pot. It is believ...

Dughaish (Last name)

surnames > dughaish

The surname Dughaish appears to have originated from the Arabic word "دغيش" which means "scarred" or "marked". It is likely of Arabic or Middle Eastern origin.

Dugic (Last name)

surnames > dugic

The last name "Dugic" is of Serbian origin. It is derived from the Serbian word "duga" meaning 'rainbow.' This last name likely originated as a nickname for someone with colorful o...

Dugnas (Last name)

surnames > dugnas

The surname Dugnas is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Duguesne", which is composed of the elements "du", meaning "of the", and "guesne", a Gaulis...

Dugois (Last name)

surnames > dugois

The surname "Dugois" likely has French origins. It may be derived from the Old French word "degois" or "degos," which means "crooked" or "bent." This could have originally been a n...