The surname Follea has roots in France. It is derived from various places named Follet, Folletin, and Folleville in the Normandy region of France. This surname likely originated as a local surname, which means it was originally used to identify people who lived in or near these locations. The name is thought to be derived from the Old French word "follet," which means "little goblin" or "spirit." However, it's important to note that surnames often have multiple possible origins and can change over time due to various factors such as spelling variations and migrations.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Follea
The meaning and origin of the last name Follea
The surname Follea is believed to have French origins, specifically from the region of Normandy. It is derived from various place names across France that share the same root, such as Folleville, Folletot, and Folleville-en-Caux, which are all named after the Old Norse word 'folr' meaning 'people' or 'folk', combined with 'vill' meaning 'settlement' or 'farm'. The name could also have evolved from a personal name of Old Norse origin, 'Follei', which was later Latinized as Folletus. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the surname Follea may have varied due to geographical and historical influences.
Geographical distribution of the last name Follea
The surname Follea is primarily concentrated in France, with a significant number of bearers found in the Brittany region, specifically in the departments of Côtes-d'Armor and Finistère. This regional clustering suggests that the name may have originated from this area. However, it's also present in other parts of France, albeit less frequently. Outside of France, the surname Follea is relatively scarce, but there are some occurrences in Belgium, particularly in the Wallonia region, and a few instances in Canada, mainly in Quebec, which could be due to French emigration. Additionally, there are records of individuals with this surname in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, most likely as a result of further migration from France or its colonies.
Variants and spellings of the last name Follea
The surname Follea has several variations and alternate spellings. Some of these include Folée, Folléa, Folia, and Follae. These variations may have originated due to differences in spelling conventions, regional dialects, or transcription errors over time. However, it's important to note that the specific variation of a surname can sometimes provide insight into its geographical or cultural origins. For example, Follea could potentially be derived from French or Italian roots, given the similarity to words like "foliage" (French) and "foglia" (Italian). But without additional context, it's challenging to definitively determine the exact origin of this surname.
Famous people with the last name Follea
Notable individuals with the surname Folléa include:
1. Marion Folléa (born 1984), a French actress known for her roles in films such as "La Guerre des boutons" and "The New Tenants."
2. Jean-Pierre Folléa (1937-2015), a French composer and musicologist who wrote numerous scores for films, television shows, and ballets.
3. Bernard Folléa (born 1946), a French politician who served as the Minister of Defense under President François Mitterrand. He is also known for his work in local government, particularly in Seine-Saint-Denis department.
4. Julien Folléa (born 1987), a French professional footballer who currently plays for Swiss club FC St. Gallen as a goalkeeper.
5. Sébastien Folléa (born 1980), a French rugby union player who played as a prop for several teams, including RC Toulon and France's national team.
Genealogical research on the last name Follea
The surname Follea originates from France and is predominantly found in the Brittany region. The name is believed to have derived from various locations such as Folles, Fougeres, or Folligny. One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname was in 1230 when Robert de Folleio appeared in historical documents. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved, with variants including Folley, Follet, and Folliot, among others. The Follea family migrated to England during the Norman Conquest in 1066, establishing roots in various parts of the country, particularly in Kent and Sussex. Later on, the Folleas were also found in America, with early records showing their arrival in Louisiana in the 18th century. The Follea family tree is vast and diverse, with numerous branches scattered across Europe and North America.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name Foladi appears to be of Iranian or Persian origin. It may have derived from the Persian word "falah," which means farmer or agricultural worker. This suggests that th...
Folajimi is a Yoruba name from Nigeria, meaning "enriched and cherished by wealth". It is a combination of the Yoruba words "Fola" meaning wealth or honor, and "Jimi" meaning to ch...
The last name "Folake" is of Yoruba origin, from Nigeria. It is a common surname among the Yoruba people, who are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria.
The surname Folberth is believed to be of Old German origin. It is derived from various place names that existed in Germany, such as "Volbortshausen" and "Folborth", which themselv...
The surname Folch originates from Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain. It is a variant of the Old French "Folch" or "Foulque," which means "fox-like" or "little fox." This na...
The surname Folch-Figueras has its roots in Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain. It is composed of two separate surnames that were combined to form a double barreled name.
T...
The surname Folchi is of Italian origin. It derives from a diminutive form of the personal name Folco, which was popular among the Normans and spread to Italy during the Norman con...
The surname Foldi is of Hungarian origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the male given name "Fold," which means "field" or "plain" in Hungarian. The surname likely origin...
The surname Folea has roots that can be traced back to several regions, primarily in Europe. In Italy, it is derived from a few different places including Foliano in Molise, Folign...
The last name Foletto is of Italian origin, derived from the word "foleto" which means "cork" in Italian. It likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked with or sold cor...
The last name Folgado is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "folgar," meaning to rest or relax. This surname likely originated as a nickname for someone who was...
The last name "Folgueral" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "folguero" or "folgar," meaning leisure or relaxation. It likely originated as a nickname for someone wh...
The last name "Folik" is of Polish origin, derived from the personal name "Folik", which is a diminutive form of the name "Folimir", composed of the elements "folk", meaning "peopl...
The surname Folini originates from Italy and is derived from various places with that name. It is a topographic surname, indicating that the original bearer lived near a specific g...
The last name Follero is of Spanish origin. It is likely derived from the word "follero," which means "joker" or "clown" in Spanish. It is possible that the surname was originally ...
