Last Name Laferte

The surname Laferte is of French origin. It is derived from a location named La Ferté, which appears in various regions of France. Surnames often arose from the name of a geographical feature, such as a river, mountain, or landmark, and were eventually transferred to the local populations. The "La" prefix means "the," and "Ferté" is derived from the Latin word "fertilis," which means fertile. Therefore, Laferte may have originally referred to someone who lived near a fertile area in France.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Laferte

The meaning and origin of the last name Laferte

The surname Laferte is of French origin, stemming from the medieval period. It is derived from various place names across France, primarily those with the element "la ferté" which translates to "the fertile" or "the prosperous estate". These place names were often given to fertile areas along rivers or in valleys that provided good conditions for agriculture and settlement. Over time, as populations migrated and families established lineages, these occupational and geographical names evolved into surnames. The Laferte surname can be found in France, Spain, Portugal, and their respective diasporas, reflecting the historical movement of people and the enduring influence of French place names on European surnames.

Geographical distribution of the last name Laferte

The surname Laferte is predominantly found in countries with significant French influence, particularly Mexico and France. In Mexico, it's one of the more common surnames, reflecting the country's historical ties to France. The highest concentration of Lafertes can be found in the states of Puebla, Veracruz, and Jalisco, as a result of French immigration during the 19th century. In France, it's less common but still present, particularly in regions with a strong Huguenot presence, such as Alsace and Franche-Comté. The surname has also been found in other countries with French colonies or influence, such as Canada and some former French colonies like Haiti and Louisiana in the United States. Additionally, there are small pockets of Lafertes in countries where French immigrants have settled, such as Argentina and Venezuela.

Variants and spellings of the last name Laferte

The surname Laferte can have various spellings and variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Here are some common variants:

1. La Ferte - This is a French spelling, with the "a" before the "e" having an accent mark indicating it should be pronounced as a short "a" sound.
2. LaFerte - In this variation, the "a" and "e" are capitalized, which is common in English but less so in French.
3. LaFertea or La Fertea - These variations introduce an additional "a" at the end of the surname, which could be due to a misinterpretation or change over time.
4. De La Ferté - This is a more formal French version, where "de" is used as a preposition meaning "of."
5. Delaforte or De La Forte - These variations replace "La" with "De," which can also mean "of" in French, and add "Fort(e)" to the end, possibly indicating a location or a nickname derived from a fortified place.

Famous people with the last name Laferte

Notable individuals sharing the surname Laferte include:

1. Alejandra Laferté, a Chilean singer and songwriter who has gained recognition for her unique blend of pop, rock, and Latin music. Her hit singles include "Fijate Bien," "La Flor," and "Siempre Es Así."
2. Jorge Lafertte, an Argentine footballer who played as a goalkeeper in clubs like River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Rosario Central during his career that spanned over two decades. He was part of the Argentina national team that won the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
3. Pierre Laferte, a French chemist known for his contributions to the study of polymers and polymer chemistry, particularly in the areas of polymerization mechanisms and kinetics. He received several prestigious awards for his work, including the Davy Medal and the Longstaff Prize.

Genealogical research on the last name Laferte

The Laferte surname is of French origin, derived from various locations in Normandy and Picardy. One of the earliest records of the name dates back to the 13th century, specifically in Normandy. Notable figures with the last name Laferte include Claude Laferté (died c. 1509), a French composer and musician during the Renaissance, and Jean-Louis Laferté (1640-1707), a French lawyer and writer. In modern times, the most well-known person with this surname is Rodrigo Lafferti, a Chilean-born Spanish singer who goes by the stage name 'La Feria'. The Laferte family has been traced to several regions in France, with significant numbers migrating to Spain, South America, and North America during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Laferte"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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