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Last Name Fougeras

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What is the origin of the last name Fougeras?

The surname Fougeras is a French toponymic name, derived from various places named Fougères in Brittany, France. It's believed that the name comes from the Old French word "fouger" meaning fern or bracken, and refers to places where these plants grew abundantly. The name has been recorded since at least the 12th century and spread to other regions and countries as a result of French colonialism and migration.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Fougeras

The meaning and origin of the last name Fougeras

The surname Fougeras is of French origin, derived from a geographical location or an occupation. The name is believed to have originated from the region of Fougères, a town located in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany, France. Historically, it was a feudal stronghold with a castle built by the dukes of Brittany in the 12th century. Over time, residents of this area began to adopt the name as their own. Alternatively, the name could also have originated from an occupation related to forests or wooded areas, with 'fouger' being Old French for fern or bracken. The surname Fougeras was often spelled Fougère and later anglicized to Fuger, Fugares, Fougar, and other variations upon migration.

Geographical distribution of the last name Fougeras

The surname Fougeras has a notable presence predominantly in France, specifically in Brittany and Normandy regions where it originated. Historically, the name is associated with the towns of Fougères and Vitré in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of Brittany. Over time, French emigration has led to the dispersal of this surname across various parts of North America, particularly Quebec, Canada, and several states in the United States such as Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, and Michigan. The name Fougeras can also be found in other European countries with a substantial French-speaking population, like Belgium and Switzerland. In recent years, global mobility has further expanded the geographical distribution of this surname to various corners of the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Fougeras

The surname Fougeras has various spelling variations, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some of these variations include Fougères, Fougeres, Fougeras, Fougerez, and Fugeres, among others. These variations may stem from regional dialects, errors during data entry or transcription, or attempts to phonetically represent the name in other languages. However, it is important to note that some of these spellings might not have been used as actual surnames but could still appear in records due to such reasons. The original form of the name is likely derived from a place named Fougères in Mayenne, France, which means "wooded marsh" in Old French.

Famous people with the last name Fougeras

Among the notable individuals with the last name Fougeres are:

1. Michel Foucault (1926-1984), a French philosopher, historian of ideas, sociologist, and literary critic, known for his work on power relations and knowledge production.
2. Jean-Pierre Foucault (born 1950), a French mathematician who made significant contributions to algebraic geometry and representation theory.
3. Pierre Fougeras (born 1948), a French author and screenwriter, best known for his novels featuring detective character Jean Faust.
4. Claude Fouquier-Fougeres (1762-1837), a French general who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was the Governor of Guadeloupe from 1809 to 1815.
5. Michel Foucault (basketball) (born 1947), a retired French professional basketball player who played for several teams in Europe and won the EuroLeague championship with CSP Limoges in 1993.

Genealogical research on the last name Fougeras

The Fougeras surname originates from France, specifically Normandy, where it is believed to have derived from the town Fougeres. The name is associated with the region's feudal lords who held significant power during the Middle Ages. The Fougeras family played a significant role in Norman history, with members serving as bishops, abbots, and knights throughout the 11th to 13th centuries. After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, many Fougeras families migrated to England, establishing branches there. Over time, the name evolved into various spellings such as Fuger, Fouger, and Fogerty. Today, Fougeras can be found across Europe, particularly in France, England, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with some descendants also migrating to North America during colonial times.

Last name distribution maps

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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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