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.

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 The family name has been recorded in numerous historical documents dating back to the 13th century, primarily in regions such as Normandy and Brittany.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

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Dugas"
• 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 : 27 July 2025

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