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.

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NomOrigine Team
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.

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