Last Name Kersauson

The surname Kersauson is of French origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a village named "Ker-Saozon" located in Brittany, France. In Breton language, the name means "round hill" or "hill of fruit trees." The surname emerged during the Middle Ages as a method for people to identify themselves and their lineage, often originating from their place of residence or occupation. Over time, variations in spelling such as Ker SA Ozoun, Kersaozon, and Kersauson have developed due to changes in pronunciation and recording methods over the centuries.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kersauson

The meaning and origin of the last name Kersauson

The surname Kersauson is of French origin, specifically from Brittany, a region in northwestern France known for its Celtic influences. The name is derived from a place name or a personal name, and it can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The "Ker" part of the name is Breton for "fortress," while "Sauson" could potentially mean "little fish" in Old French, though this interpretation is less certain. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have evolved due to various historical factors, but the basic meaning remains associated with a fortified settlement or a person associated with fish.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kersauson

The surname Kersauson is predominantly found in France, particularly in the region of Brittany, where it originates from local Breton roots. Historically, it was common among the farming and fishing communities in the coastal areas such as Finistère, Morbihan, and Côtes-d'Armor. Over time, emigration from Brittany led to the dispersal of Kersauson family members across various parts of the world, notably Canada, the United States, and Australia. In Canada, a significant concentration of people with this surname can be found in Quebec, where many Breton immigrants settled during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the name Kersauson remains most prevalent in its region of origin but is also present in various diaspora communities around the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kersauson

The surname Kersauson has various spellings and variations, some of which include KerSauson, Kersauzon, Kersasoun, and Cersauson. These differences are due to factors such as regional dialects, transcription errors over time, or personal preferences in spelling. It's important to note that these variations share the same French-origin roots, with "Ker" meaning "stone" in Breton, a Celtic language spoken in Brittany, France, and "Sauson" possibly being derived from "saussaie," meaning "willow thicket." The surname is typically associated with families originating from Brittany.

Famous people with the last name Kersauson

Notable individuals with the surname Kersauson include:

1. Bernard Kersauzon (born 1964), a French former professional road bicycle racer, who competed as a professional between 1987 and 2000, winning the Paris-Tours in 1993.

2. Christophe Kersaujon (born 1975), a French retired footballer, who played as a midfielder for several clubs throughout his career, including Paris Saint-Germain and Lille.

3. Marc Kersauzon (born 1964), a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League from 1985 to 1992.

4. Mickaël Kersaulgnac, better known as DJ Mehdi (1977-2019), was a French DJ and music producer, known for his work in electronic music genres such as house, hip hop, and techno. He was a member of groups Teki Latex, Super Men, and Edward Interstellar.

5. Olivier Kersauson (born 1963), a French entrepreneur and sailor who founded the Vendée Globe yacht race in 1989 and has participated in multiple editions of the race himself. He also co-founded the Groupama sailing team, which won the Volvo Ocean Race in 2008-2009.

Genealogical research on the last name Kersauson

The Kersauson surname is predominantly of Breton origin, with roots traced back to the region now known as Brittany, France. Historically, it is believed that the name could be derived from various places named "Ker-Sauzon" in this region. "Ker" means "fortress" or "manor" in Breton, while "Sauzon" refers to a locality. The family may have taken their name from these places as a form of local identification. Over time, the spelling of the surname has evolved due to various factors such as linguistic and orthographic changes, resulting in variations like Cersasuon, Kersauzon, Ker Sauzon, etc. Some notable individuals with this surname include Thomas de Kersauson, a Breton sailor who was one of the first settlers of Quebec, Canada, and Jean-Marie Kersaussen, a French politician. The Kersauson family is part of the larger Bretons diaspora that has spread across Europe, North America, and other parts of the world due to historical events like the Norman Conquest and the French Revolution.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "kersauson"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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.
Last updated : 30 July 2025

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