The surname "Gregoire" is of French origin. It derives from the given name Grégoire, which comes from the Latin name Gregorius. The name Gregorius was derived from the Greek word γρηγορία (grēgoría) meaning "watchfulness, vigilance". In Christian contexts, the name was particularly associated with Saint Gregory of Nazianzus and Pope Gregory I. The surname Gregoire is found predominantly among French-speaking populations, but it can also be found in other countries where French influence has been significant.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Gregoire
The meaning and origin of the last name Gregoire
The surname Gregoire is of French origin, derived from the given name Gregory, which comes from the Greek name Gregorios. It means "watchful" or "vigilant." The surname was originally a baptismal name borne by the children of Gregory, in reference to their godfather who shared the same name. As people migrated and settled in different regions, variations of the surname emerged, such as Gregoire, Grégoire, and Gregorius among others. Today, the surname Gregoire is predominantly found in French-speaking countries, but it has also been adopted by individuals of other nationalities with connections to France or its diaspora.
Geographical distribution of the last name Gregoire
The surname Gregoire has its origins in France, with a significant concentration in regions such as Brittany and Normandy, where it is one of the most common surnames. Over time, it has also been carried by French settlers to various parts of the world. In North America, Gregoires can be found across Canada, particularly in Quebec, where the name is among the top 100 most common last names. In the United States, there are significant numbers of Gregoires in Louisiana and other areas with a strong French influence. The surname is also prevalent in various countries in Africa, including Senegal and Gabon, which have historical ties to France. Beyond Europe and North America, Gregoire can be found in South America (most notably Brazil), as well as in parts of the Caribbean and Oceania. It's important to note that surnames can evolve over time due to factors such as migration and assimilation, so variations like Gregori, Gregor, Gregoriou, and others may also be found globally.
Variants and spellings of the last name Gregoire
The surname Gregoire, also spelled as Gregoire, Gregor, Gregorie, and Gregori (with various pronunciations depending on regional origin), is derived from the Latin word "Gregorius" which means 'watchman' or 'guard'. This name has been passed down through generations with slight variations in spelling due to transliteration and assimilation over time. Other less common variants include Gregur, Gregoriev, Gregorius, Gregoriu, and Gregorio (in some Spanish-speaking countries). All these versions share a common root, originating from the venerable St. Gregory, patron saint of students and teachers, whose name has been popular in Christian communities for centuries.
Famous people with the last name Gregoire
Notable individuals with the surname Gregoire include:
1. André-Marie Ampère Gregoire (1768-1832), a French physicist and mathematician, known for his work on electromagnetism, which led to Ampere's Law.
2. Pierre-Simon Gregoire de Rousseau (1741-1828), a Swiss soldier, who fought in the American Revolutionary War and was a close friend of Thomas Jefferson.
3. Claude Jules Henri Victor Grégory (1853-1950), born as Claude Jules Henri Victor Gregoire, was a French mathematician best known for his work on continued fractions and Fibonacci sequences.
4. Yvette Mimieux Gregoire (born 1942), an American actress who gained fame in the 1960s for roles in films like "Where the Boys Are" and "The Time Travelers."
5. Michel Gregoire (born 1938), a French computer scientist, known for his contributions to programming languages and software engineering, particularly in the development of ALGOL W and Ada.
Genealogical research on the last name Gregoire
The surname Gregoire is of French origin, derived from the given name Grégoire, which means "watchful" in Latin. It was originally a Christian name popularized by St. Gregory, one of the four great Latin Fathers of the early Church. Historically, the name Gregoire can be traced back to medieval France. Notable individuals with this surname include Louis Gregoire, a Belgian composer and conductor; Paul Gregoire, an American journalist and radio broadcaster; and Gregoire de Rostuan, a French baron and politician from the 13th century. The name has since spread globally due to French colonization and immigration waves. In genealogical records, variations of the surname include Grégoire, Greigore, Grecour, Griegor, and more.
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 surname Gream or Graham originates from Scotland and England. It is derived from the Old Norse "gramr," which means "gravelly" or "stony," and was originally a nickname for som...
The surname Greaney is of Irish origin and comes from a Gaelic family name O'Griannaigh, which means "descendant of Grania" or "little grain". The name is found primarily in County...
The surname Greany is of Irish origin, specifically from County Mayo in the western province of Connacht. It is derived from a number of places bearing this name, such as Baile Gre...
The surname Grear is of English origin and is believed to have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a grove or thicket. The name comes from the Old English "greor," mea...
The last name "Greaves" is primarily of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "greve" (later "greave") which means "a piece of armor for protecting the leg."
...
The surname "Grebonval" does not have a well-documented origin. It appears to be quite rare and is not commonly found in historical records or genealogical databases. It is possibl...
The surname Greby is of French origin. It is derived from a place name that originally referred to a dwelling near a grove or thicket. In Old French, "gris" means gray and "bey" me...
The surname Greche is of Italian origin. It is derived from a variety of places named Greco, which can be found throughout Italy. The name likely refers to someone who was original...
The surname Greci is of Italian origin and means "Greek." It is believed to be an ethnic or regional name for someone who came from Greece or had Greek ancestry. The name may have ...
The surname Greciano is derived from the Italian language and is a locative surname, meaning it originally referred to a person who lived near a place called Grezio or another simi...
The last name Grecic is of Croatian origin. It is derived from the word "hrvatski," which means "Croatian" in Croatian. It likely originally referred to people who were of Croatian...
The surname Greck is primarily associated with individuals who originate from Greece or have Greek ancestry. The term "Greck" itself does not appear to be a traditional surname; ho...
The last name "Greco" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "greco" in Italian, which means "Greek." The surname likely originated as an ethnic or regional descriptor f...
The surname Greder is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "grēt(e)" meaning "peasant" or "freeman." It may have been an occupational name for a peasant farm...
