NomOrigine Background

Last Name Gaillane

What is the origin of the last name Gaillane?

The surname Gaillane originates from France. It is derived from a place name, specifically Gaillac, located in the Tarn department in southern France. This region was inhabited by the Gallic tribe called the Volcae Arecomici during the Roman era. Over time, people who lived near or originated from this area adopted the name as their surname when family names became common in Europe during the Middle Ages. The Gaillac area is also known for its wine production and was an important center of Christianity during the Middle Ages, which may have contributed to the spread of the Gaillane surname among French populations.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Gaillane

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gaillane

The meaning and origin of the last name Gaillane

The surname Gaillane is of French origin, specifically from the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It is derived from the Old Occitan word "galhana," which means "woman from a farm or village." Over time, it evolved into various spellings such as Galhaud, Galhuet, and Gaillard in France. The surname Gaillane signifies an inhabitant of a rural area or a farmstead, reflecting the historical agrarian society of medieval Provence. The name is also associated with the noble family of Gaillard de Lassus, who were vassals of the Counts of Provence during the Middle Ages and held the title of Seigneurs (Lords) of Gaillane. This surname became more widespread as people migrated from their native regions in search of new opportunities.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gaillane

The surname Gaillane is primarily found in southern France, particularly in the region of Aquitaine and its departments including Gironde, Dordogne, and Lot-et-Garonne. It originates from the town of Gaillon, located in Normandy, which has a history dating back to Gallo-Roman times. However, over time, many families bearing this name migrated southwards during the Middle Ages, contributing to its prevalence in the modern Aquitaine region. Additionally, smaller populations can be found in other parts of France and potentially some French-speaking areas such as Belgium or Quebec (Canada). The Gaillane surname is a testament to the historical migration patterns within France and the evolution of family names over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gaillane

The surname Gaillane has several variations and spellings, reflecting its origin and potential phonetic or regional alterations over time. Some common variants include Gailhac, Galhan, Gallan, Gailland, and Gaillard. These variations may arise due to differences in spelling conventions, translation errors, or dialectal influences across regions and eras. Additionally, the name may be found with prefixes such as Le, De, Les, Des, and Du, depending on the region's feudal naming traditions. In French-speaking countries, the name could also appear in its original form, "de Galhac," which is the Occitan form of Gaillane. It is essential to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate different familial lineages but rather different historical and regional interpretations of the name.

Famous people with the last name Gaillane

Prominent individuals bearing the surname Gaillard include:

1. Louis Léopold Gaillard (1867-1934), a French geologist known for his studies on granites and other igneous rocks, including the Alps and Jura Mountains.
2. Claude Gaillard (1905-1992), a renowned French composer who wrote music for film, ballet, and theater, and received several prestigious awards for his work.
3. André Gaillard (1927-2020), a French philosopher and professor at the University of Paris Nanterre, recognized for his contributions to contemporary metaphysics and ethics.
4. Yvon Gaillard (born 1956), a French politician who served as Minister of Agriculture in President Jacques Chirac's government from 1993-2002.
5. Stéphane Gaillard (born 1967), a French actor, best known for his roles in the films "Le Péril Jeune" and "Poussière d'ange."
6. Gilles Gaillard (born 1968), a former French professional tennis player who reached a career-high ATP ranking of world No. 37 in doubles in 1996.

Genealogical research on the last name Gaillane

The surname Gaillane is of French origin, derived from various places named Gaillac in several regions of France, including Gaillac in the Tarn department and Gaillac-d'Aveyron in Aveyron. These towns are believed to have been named after the Gallo-Roman villa "Galliacum" or "Galli-acum", which means "village of the Gauls". The name is also associated with the region of Guyenne, now part of southwest France. Notable figures bearing the Gaillane surname include Guillaume Gaillane, a 14th-century French knight, and François Gaillane, a 16th-century French mathematician. The distribution of the Gaillane surname is primarily concentrated in France, but it has also been found in other countries with significant French populations, such as Canada, the United States, and Australia.

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 : 26 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

Gaiarin (Last name)

surnames > gaiarin

The last name Gaiarin has its origin in Italy. It is believed to have originated from the Veneto region, specifically in the province of Treviso. The name may have derived from the...

Gaiato (Last name)

surnames > gaiato

The last name "Gaiato" is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from the Portuguese word "gaiato" which means "mischievous" or "lively". The name was likely originally given as a nic...

Gaibor (Last name)

surnames > gaibor

The last name Gaibor originates from the Basque region of Spain. The name is derived from the Basque word "gaiztoa" which means "bad" or "evil." Over time, the name Gaibor spread t...

Gaich (Last name)

surnames > gaich

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

Gaida (Last name)

surnames > gaida

The surname Gaida has various origins and meanings. It is a Polish and Slavic surname derived from the word "gaj," which means "grove" or "thicket" in Polish. It may have originate...

Gaido (Last name)

surnames > gaido

The last name "Gaido" is of Italian origin. It is likely derived from the personal name "Gaido," which itself may have origins in a Germanic name like "Gaidu." This surname is most...

Gaidyoo (Last name)

surnames > gaidyoo

The last name "Gaidyoo" is believed to have originated from African countries such as Ghana or Nigeria. It may have derived from a specific tribe or ethnic group in that region.

Gaieski (Last name)

surnames > gaieski

The last name "Gaieski" is of Polish origin. It is derived from the Polish word "Gaj," meaning "grove" or "thicket." Over time, variations of this surname have emerged, including "...

Gaige (Last name)

surnames > gaige

The surname "Gaige" (also spelled as Geagea, Jaajaa, Jajah, Giega, etc.) is primarily of Middle Eastern origin, specifically Lebanese. It is a variant of the Arabic name "Ja'jah," ...

Gailiūtė (Last name)

surnames > gaili-t

The last name Gailit is of Estonian origin. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Gailo, which means "cheerful" or "lively."

Gaill (Last name)

surnames > gaill

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

Gaillan (Last name)

surnames > gaillan

The surname Gaillan has origins rooted in France. It is a toponymic name, derived from places named with this designation, which are primarily found in the Hautes-Pyrénées and Ge...

Gaillard (Last name)

surnames > gaillard

The surname Gaillard is of French origin. It derives from the Old French word "ga(h)ier" which means 'joyful', 'gay', or 'festive'. This surname was originally a nickname given to ...

Gaillaud (Last name)

surnames > gaillaud

The surname Gaillet or Gailaud is of French origin. It is derived from a personal name, "Gaucelin" or "Gauchelin," which was originally a diminutive form of the Old High German nam...

Gailleul (Last name)

surnames > gailleul

The last name "Gailleul" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "gaille," meaning "gay" or "cheerful," and the suffix "-eul," which is a diminutive suffix comm...