NomOrigine Background

Last Name Dupeyrat

What is the origin of the last name Dupeyrat?

Dupeyrat is a French surname, derived from a place name. The name originates from the region of Auvergne, specifically the commune of Dupy, located near Clermont-Ferrand. The name "Dupy" itself comes from the Gallo-Romance term "domus pipia", meaning "house of storks". Over time, the spelling evolved into Dupeyrat as a result of regional dialect and scribal variations.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Dupeyrat

The meaning and origin of the last name Dupeyrat

The surname Dupeyrat is of French origin, derived from a place name or a nickname. "Du Peirier" or "Du Peyrat," both meaning "from the pear tree grove" in Old Occitan, likely formed the basis for this surname. Over time, it evolved into Dupeyrat due to various phonetic and orthographic changes. The name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a pear orchard, or it could have been used as a nickname for a person with a round face or full cheeks, reminiscent of a ripe pear. The Dupeyrat family is particularly well-known in France and has produced notable figures such as the French author Maurice Dupeyrat.

Geographical distribution of the last name Dupeyrat

The surname Dupeyrat has its origins in France and is most commonly found in regions such as Normandy, Brittany, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Historically, it was associated with the town of Saint-Malo in Brittany, although it also appears in other parts of the country. Today, a significant number of people with the surname Dupeyrat reside in France, reflecting its historical roots. However, due to migration and diaspora, individuals with the name can also be found in various countries, including Canada, the United States, and Brazil, where French immigrants settled. In these places, the concentration of the name is generally lower than in France, but it remains a recognizable surname within French-speaking communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Dupeyrat

The surname Dupeyrat has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time. Some common variants include Dupéyrat, Dupeyrat, Dupairat, Dupetrat, and Dupéart. These variations may arise from regional dialects, incorrect spelling, or even intentional alterations. In French, the name is derived from the words "du" meaning "of," "peyre" meaning "stone," and "rat" which can mean both "pie" and "rats" in old French, though in modern usage it usually refers to "rat" as a term for a village or settlement. The name thus signifies someone from a place named "Peiras" or "Du Peiras."

Famous people with the last name Dupeyrat

The Dupeyrat family has produced several notable individuals. Marcel Dupeyrat (1902-1967), a French author and playwright, is perhaps the most renowned. His work includes "L'affaire du courrier de Lyon" and "Le Clan des siciliens." Another well-known figure is Jean Dupeyrat (born 1930), a French politician who served as Minister of Agriculture from 1986 to 1988 under President François Mitterrand. In the realm of academia, Pierre Dupeyrat (1924-2017) was a distinguished historian known for his works on ancient civilizations. Lastly, Martine Dupeyrat (born 1953), a French actress, has had an extensive career in theatre and cinema. These individuals have contributed significantly to various fields, reflecting the intellectual and artistic diversity within the Dupeyrat family.

Genealogical research on the last name Dupeyrat

The Dupeyrat surname originates from France and is believed to be derived from a place name. The name is thought to have come from Du Peu Riot, meaning "from the pebble clearing," referring to a specific location. The Dupeyrats were primarily found in Normandy and Brittany regions of France. Notable figures with this surname include Jean du Peyrat, a French writer and ethnographer, and Marcel Duperat, a French mathematician. The Dupeyrats also immigrated to other countries, such as the United States and Canada, during the 17th and 18th centuries, where they continued to establish themselves in various professions. Today, the Dupeyrat family is found throughout the world, with significant populations in France, Canada, the United States, and other European countries.

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 : 30 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

Dupalan (Last name)

surnames > dupalan

The origin of the last name "Dupalan" is not clear or well-known. It does not appear to have a specific geographic or cultural origin associated with it. Last names can have variou...

Dupas (Last name)

surnames > dupas

The last name "Dupas" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "du pas" which means "of the step" or "by the step". It is believed to have originally been a topo...

Dupasquier (Last name)

surnames > dupasquier

The surname Dupasquier has its roots in French language and originates from the Old French word "passer" which means 'to pass', and the suffix "-ier", used to denote a profession o...

Dupattawala (Last name)

surnames > dupattawala

The last name Dupattawala is of Indian origin. It is derived from the Gujarati word "dupatta," which means a long scarf or shawl worn by women in South Asia. The suffix "-wala" is ...

Dupchu norbu (Last name)

surnames > dupchu-norbu

The last name Dupchu Norbu is of Tibetan origin. "Dupchu" means "auspicious" or "fortunate" and "Norbu" means "jewel" or "precious."

Dupe (Last name)

surnames > dupe

The last name "Dupe" has a French origin. It is derived from the medieval French word "duppe," meaning "hidden" or "obscure." This surname likely originated as a nickname for someo...

Duperray (Last name)

surnames > duperray

The surname Duperré, originates from France. It is derived from a place name, specifically "Du Perre," which was located in the Anjou region. The name means "from the rock" or "fo...

Dupessey (Last name)

surnames > dupessey

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Duphek (Last name)

surnames > duphek

The last name "Duphek" has its origin in France. It is derived from the Old French word "du" meaning "of" and "phek" which likely comes from a personal name. Over time, this surnam...

Dupin (Last name)

surnames > dupin

The surname Dupin is of French origin, derived from the Old French "du Pin," which means "of the pine tree." It was often given to someone who lived near a pine tree or whose occup...

Dupire (Last name)

surnames > dupire

The surname Dupire has French origins. It is derived from a place name, meaning "house by the pear tree" (du péir). In France, many surnames were originally toponyms, or names der...

Duplan (Last name)

surnames > duplan

The surname "duPlan" is of French origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically locations called "du Plain," which mean "of the plain" in French. This type of surname was o...

Duplantis (Last name)

surnames > duplantis

The surname Duplantis is of French origin. It translates to "of the planty field" in Old French, where "Du" means "of" and "Plantis" comes from the word "plantee," which refers to ...

Duplaquet (Last name)

surnames > duplaquet

The last name Duplaquet is of French origin. It is a surname derived from the Old French word "dubluquet," meaning "doublet," which was a type of clothing worn in medieval times. T...

Duplat (Last name)

surnames > duplat

The last name Duplat is of French origin. It is a habitational surname derived from the word "du plat," meaning "of the flat" or "from the flat land." This surname may have origina...