Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Lavaque

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Lavaque?

The surname Lavaque is believed to have origins in France. It is derived from a place name, specifically from the town La Vaque located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. Place names often served as sources for surnames during the Middle Ages as people were identified by their place of origin or residence. The town La Vaque appears on records dating back to the 13th century. This name is one of several French surnames that stem from topographical features or geographic locations.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lavaque

The meaning and origin of the last name Lavaque

The surname Lavaque is of French origin and is derived from various places with the same name in France, primarily in the region of Brittany. The name is believed to be associated with geographical locations, specifically areas with rocks or stone outcroppings, as "la roche" means "the rock" in French. Over time, these names were often used as surnames by inhabitants of these places, creating a patronymic or locative surname. The variation Lavaque could have arisen from different settlements sharing the same root, such as La Roche-Lavau or La Roche-la-Vaque. As with many surnames, its exact origin may be lost to history, but its French roots are evident.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lavaque

The surname Lavaque is primarily concentrated in France, particularly in the region of Aquitaine, specifically in the departments of Landes and Gironde. It is also found in smaller numbers in other regions such as Haute-Garonne and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. In Quebec, Canada, a significant number of people share this surname, due to French colonization and migration from France during the 17th and 18th centuries. Additionally, there are some instances of the Lavaque family name in Louisiana, USA, as a result of French settlers who migrated during the 18th century. Overall, the distribution of the Lavaque surname is predominantly in regions with strong historical ties to France.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lavaque

The surname Lavaque has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription, transliteration, and regional dialects over time. Some common versions include Lavaque, Lavacque, LaVaquette, and Lavache. It originates from the French language and could be derived from the occupational name "lavateur" (washer) or a place name referring to a stream or small river, often with the word "la rivière de la Vache" (the river of the cow). Other possible origins suggest it might have been a nickname for someone who had a characteristic resemblance to a cow. These variations highlight the versatility and adaptability of names throughout history.

Famous people with the last name Lavaque

Two notable individuals with the surname Lavaque are:

1. Pierre Lavaque (1824-1913), a French explorer and missionary who spent over forty years in China, where he translated the Bible into several Chinese dialects. He was also instrumental in establishing the first Protestant church in Beijing.

2. Jacques Lavache (born 1950), a French composer and conductor known for his work in film scoring. His notable works include the scores for "The Big Blue" and "Manon of the Spring," which earned him a César Award nomination for Best Original Music.

Genealogical research on the last name Lavaque

The Lavaque surname originates from France and is predominantly found in Brittany, specifically in the Ille-et-Vilaine department. It is believed to be a habitational name derived from the town Laval in Mayenne, or from the village La Vau in the Sarthe region. The family may have migrated from these areas during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Variations of the name include Lavacque, de la Vaque, Lavaguer, and Lavaigre. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Jean Lavaque (1724-1801), a French naval officer who served during the Seven Years' War, and Philippe Lavache (1930-2009), a Canadian politician. The Lavaque family is also believed to have migrated to Louisiana, USA in the 18th century, where they contributed to the settlement and development of New Orleans.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Lava

Last name • surnames > lava

The surname "Lava" is most likely of Italian origin, derived from various places with that name in Italy. Some examples include Lava (in the province of Sondrio), Lava Ionica (a di...

#2 Lavado

Last name • surnames > lavado

The last name "Lavado" is of Spanish origin and is a surname that likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked as a washer or laundryman. The word "Lavado" in Spanish mea...

#3 Lavall

Last name • surnames > lavall

The surname "Lavall" originates from the French word "vallée" meaning "valley." It likely originated as a locational surname for someone who lived in or near a valley.

#4 Lavallee

Last name • surnames > lavallee

The last name "Lavallee" is of French origin. It is derived from the word "vallée," which means "valley" in French. Therefore, the name "Lavallee" is typically associated with som...

#5 Lavallen

Last name • surnames > lavallen

The last name "Lavallen" is of Spanish origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from the place name "Valle," meaning "valley" in Spanish. The prefix "La" indicates "the," so the s...

#6 Lavanchy

Last name • surnames > lavanchy

The origin of the last name "Lavanchy" is believed to be French or Swiss-French. It is derived from the word "lavancher" in French, which means "shepherd" or "he who grazes the flo...

#7 Lavandeira

Last name • surnames > lavandeira

The surname Lavandeira is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It is derived from the occupational name for a laundry worker, from the Latin lavandarius, meaning "laundryman." In Spai...

#8 Lavandera

Last name • surnames > lavandera

The surname Lavandera is of Spanish and Italian origin. In both languages, "Lavandera" means "washerwoman" or "laundress". This surname was often given to individuals whose profess...

#9 Lavandier

Last name • surnames > lavandier

The surname Lavandier is of French origin and derives from an occupational name for a worker who cultivated and sold lavender. In Old French, "lavande" meant lavender, and "ier" wa...

#10 Lavanya yadav

Last name • surnames > lavanya-yadav

The last name "Yadav" is of Indian origin and is commonly used in the Hindu community. It is typically associated with the Yaduvanshi lineage, which is believed to be descended fro...

#11 Lavapiez

Last name • surnames > lavapiez

The surname "Lavapiez" has Spanish origins. It is believed to have originated from a place name, referring to someone who lived near a lavapiez, which means "wash feet" in Spanish....

#12 Lavarda

Last name • surnames > lavarda

The surname Lavarda has Italian origins. It typically comes from the Lombardy region of Italy. The name is believed to have derived from the Italian word "lavato," which means "was...

#13 Lavarde

Last name • surnames > lavarde

The surname Lavarde is of French origin and is derived from a place name. It comes from various locations named Lavard in France, such as Lavard in Normandy, Lavard-Saint-Pierre in...

#14 Lavassani

Last name • surnames > lavassani

The surname Lavassani is believed to have Italian origins. Specifically, it is a variant of the surname Lavaiani, which is primarily found in the region of Piedmont in northwestern...

#15 Lavauzelle

Last name • surnames > lavauzelle

The surname Lavauzelle is of French origin and derives from a place name. It comes from the village Lavauzelle, located in the department of Tarn-et-Garonne in southwestern France....