The surname Lapergue is of French origin. It is derived from a place name and is a habitation name from places called Lapergue in the department of Gironde in southwestern France. The name comes from the Occitan word "perquè" meaning "why," and the Old Provencal word "roca" meaning "rock," referring to a rocky outcrop or promontory, which was likely characteristic of one of the places named Lapergue. This type of surname is known as a locative surname, indicating that the original bearer lived at or near a notable place.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Lapergue
The meaning and origin of the last name Lapergue
The surname Lapergue originates from France and is derived from the Old French "la perche," meaning "the spur" or "promontory." It was often used to describe a piece of land that jutted out into water, resembling a spur on a horse's back. Over time, the name evolved into various forms such as La Pergue, Lapeargu, and Lapergue due to regional dialects and scribal errors. The name is predominantly found in the region of Brittany, where it has been traced back to the 13th century. It was initially a geographical surname, but over generations, it became a patronymic one as families took pride in their origins.
Geographical distribution of the last name Lapergue
The surname Lapergue is primarily concentrated in France, particularly in regions such as Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie. Historically, it originated from the town of La Perrière, located in the Orne department of Normandy. Over time, variations in spelling due to regional dialects and transcription errors have led to multiple forms including Lapergué, Laperguière, Lapérguière, etc. Small communities bearing this surname can also be found in countries with a significant French diaspora, such as Canada, the United States, and various French territories like Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Réunion.
Variants and spellings of the last name Lapergue
The surname Lapergue has several variants and spellings due to historical and regional differences in transcription. Some common versions include Lapergue, LaPergue, de LaPergue, and du LaPergue, which may indicate noble or French origins. Other less common variations might be found as a result of phonetic translations or mistranscriptions over time, such as L'apergue, Lepergue, or even LaPargeau. Additionally, there could be regional or ethnic adaptations, like Laporte-Lapergue in Quebec, Canada, where the surname was sometimes modified to reflect local French-Canadian naming practices.
Famous people with the last name Lapergue
Notable individuals bearing the surname Lapergue include:
1. Louis-Edmond Laperrière-Lapergue (1842-1926), a French physician and scientist known for his research on pathology, anthropometry, and criminology. He published numerous works, including "Anthropometrie et Statistique" (1875).
2. Jean Laperrière (born 1940), a Canadian computer scientist and engineer who made significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence. He worked at various institutions, including MIT and Carnegie Mellon University, and is a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery.
3. Géraldine Lapergue (born 1982), a French tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 56 in 2005. She competed in three Grand Slam tournaments and represented France in the Fed Cup.
4. Michel Laperrière (born 1939), a Canadian former ice hockey player who played as a defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. He won five Stanley Cups during his career.
Genealogical research on the last name Lapergue
The surname Lapergue originates from France and is a variant of Perguet, meaning "from Perguet," a place name derived from the Gallo-Roman personal name Petrus or Peter, combined with the suffix -acum, indicating a settlement associated with that name. The first known record of the name appears in the 13th century in Picardy, France. Notable individuals bearing this name include Jean Lapergue, a French architect who designed several buildings in Paris during the 18th and 19th centuries, and Pierre Lapergue, a French politician and lawyer who served as Minister of War in the mid-19th century. Genealogical records show that the surname spread to various regions within France and, later, to other countries due to migration, particularly to Belgium, Canada, and the United States.
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