NomOrigine Background

Last Name Felemou

What is the origin of the last name Felemou?

The surname Felemou is of French origin. It is derived from various regional place names found in France, particularly in Brittany and Normandy, where it was common for people to take their surnames from the location where they lived or held lands. One possible source of the name Felemou could be a village named "Felhomme" in the Calvados department of Normandy, which means "home of the little stallion" in Old French. Over time and due to phonetic changes, this surname has evolved into various forms such as Felomou, Felmou, Felemou, etc., found in France and other parts of the world, especially among French-speaking populations.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Felemou

The meaning and origin of the last name Felemou

The surname Felemou is believed to have French origins, specifically from the region of Normandy. It is derived from various place names in that region, such as Faulemont, Foulmont, and other similar spellings. These place names are thought to be composed of the Old French words "faule" meaning "hollow" or "depressed place," and "mont" meaning "mountain." Over time, these place names evolved into surnames as people began to identify themselves by their places of origin. The spelling variations in the surname Felemou may be due to transcription errors over centuries or regional dialects.

Geographical distribution of the last name Felemou

The surname Felemou is primarily found in French-speaking regions, specifically in France and its overseas territories such as Haiti and French Guiana. A significant concentration of this surname can be traced back to the department of Haute-Savoie in eastern France. In Haiti, it's predominantly found in the Artibonite Department, particularly in the city of Gonaives. The name also appears in French Guiana, primarily among the descendants of African slaves and early settlers. While less common outside these regions, there are occasional occurrences of the surname Felemou in other parts of the world due to migration over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Felemou

The surname Felemou can be found with various spellings due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Some common variations include Philemau, Philemaw, Philémaud, Filémaux, Fillemault, and Fillemauld. These variations may arise from factors such as phonetic changes, spelling errors, or regional dialects. It is worth noting that the surname can also be found with different prefixes like du, de, le, la, and les, which are common in French-speaking countries but do not necessarily change the root of the surname. Additionally, there may be slight variations based on gender, with female forms potentially ending in -e or -ette, such as Philemau or Filémaude. However, these variations should not be assumed without further context or information.

Famous people with the last name Felemou

Notable individuals sharing the surname Felemou include:

1. Jean-Pierre Fouchard Felemou (born 1962), a Haitian musician, known for his contributions to traditional Haitian music and rara bands.

2. Maud Felemou (born 1987), a French actress and comedian, who has appeared in several French films and television series.

3. Gaëtan Félemou (born 1994), a Haitian-French professional basketball player, who currently plays for the Paris Basketball team.

4. Yves Felemou (born 1952), a Haitian-American artist and educator, known for his work in painting, printmaking, and sculpture.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, demonstrating diverse talents and accomplishments across music, acting, sports, and art.

Genealogical research on the last name Felemou

The surname Felemou is believed to have originated from the region of Brittany, France. It's derived from the Breton word "Falé" meaning 'little creek' or 'inlet', and the suffix "-mo" indicates that the original bearer lived by such a place. The name was likely brought to other parts of Europe during the Norman Conquest in 1066, where it is found in various spellings such as Felemou, Felmoe, Flemow, and Flewmo. In England, the name is most concentrated in Cornwall, where many Breton families settled after the conquest. The name also appears in small numbers in other parts of Europe, particularly Belgium and Germany, due to migrations over centuries. Notable figures with the surname Felemou are scarce, making genealogical research challenging, but records in churches, census data, and migration registers provide valuable resources for family history exploration.

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

Fel (Last name)

surnames > fel

The last name "Fel" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "vel" or "veld" which means field or plain. This surname likely originated as a topographic ...

Felangii (Last name)

surnames > felangii

The last name "Felangii" does not have a clear origin or meaning in English as it does not appear to be a common or traditional surname. It may be a unique or uncommon surname with...

Felar (Last name)

surnames > felar

The last name "Felar" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Old Spanish word "felar", which means 'to suck or to extract liquid'. The surname most likely originated as an oc...

Felarca (Last name)

surnames > felarca

The surname Felarca is believed to have origins in Southern Italy, specifically Calabria. It derives from the Latin word "Falcarius" which means falconer or bird trainer. Over time...

Felberbaum (Last name)

surnames > felberbaum

The last name "Felberbaum" seems to have Germanic origins. It is a compound surname derived from two separate elements. The first element, "Felber," is possibly derived from the ...

Felch (Last name)

surnames > felch

The surname Felch is of English origin. It is derived from a nickname for a noisy or boisterous person, from Middle English "felche" meaning "to chatter," or "to chat." This name w...

Feld (Last name)

surnames > feld

The last name "Feld" is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "veld," meaning field or meadow. It likely originally referred to someone who lived near or...

Felden (Last name)

surnames > felden

The surname Felden is of German origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from various locations named "Feld" in Germany, which means "field" in English. The surname ma...

Feldkircher (Last name)

surnames > feldkircher

The surname "Feldkircher" is a German family name. It is probably derived from the German word "Feldkirche", which means "country church" or "country church". This family name may ...

Feldman (Last name)

surnames > feldman

The surname Feldman is of German and Jewish origins. It derives from the Middle High German word "veld," meaning "field," and the German diminutive suffix "-mann," which means "lit...

Feldvoss ring-larsen (Last name)

surnames > feldvoss-ring-larsen

The last name "Feldvoss Ring Larsen" originates from Scandinavia, specifically Denmark and Norway. "Feldvoss" is likely derived from a place name or geographical feature, "Ring" is...

Felefl (Last name)

surnames > felefl

The surname Felefl is of Arabic origin and is derived from the Arabic word "felafel," which means "pepper." This surname likely originated as a nickname for someone who either grew...

Feleppa (Last name)

surnames > feleppa

The surname Feleppa is believed to have origins in Italy, specifically in the region of Abruzzo. It is derived from various Italian given names such as Felice, Felippo, or Filippo,...

Felequu (Last name)

surnames > felequu

The last name Felequu does not appear to have a known origin in English. It may be helpful to consult with a genealogist or conduct further research to determine the specific origi...

Felestenia (Last name)

surnames > felestenia

The last name "Felestenia" has its origin in Italy. It is derived from the Italian word "Felicita," which means happiness or joy. This surname likely originated as a nickname for s...