Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Le-calvez

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Le-calvez?

The surname Le Calvez originates from France and is a locative name derived from the place name "Calvès" in several regions, including Pas-de-Calais, Normandy, and Brittany. In Old French, "calvès" means "bald," referring to barren or rocky land. As with many surnames, it was likely originally a nickname for someone who lived near such a place, and eventually became hereditary.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Le-calvez

The meaning and origin of the last name Le-calvez

The surname Le Calvez originates from France and is a variant of the Breton name Calvez, which means "bald" or "shaven head" in Breton language. The name was likely given to someone who had a distinctive hairstyle or physical feature, or it could have been a nickname that later became a hereditary surname. In French, Le (meaning 'the' or 'de la') is often used as a prefix to indicate geographical origin or nobility, making Le Calvez translate roughly to "from the bald one" or "of the shaven head". The name is primarily found in Brittany, a region in the northwest of France with a distinct Breton culture and language.

Geographical distribution of the last name Le-calvez

The surname Le Calvez is predominantly found in France, particularly in the region of Brittany, where it originated as a local toponymic name derived from the place names La Calvache or La Calvezie. Over time, it has been carried by Breton migrants to other parts of France and overseas territories such as Canada, primarily Quebec, due to French colonization. There are also significant populations of Le Calvez bearers in Reunion Island, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. In addition, there is a smaller presence of this surname in other countries with a history of French immigration, like Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Le-calvez

The surname Le Calvez has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time. Here are some common forms:

1. Le Calvez: This is the original French spelling, where "Le" is an article and "Calvez" is the family name.
2. LeCalvez: In English-speaking countries, it's common to omit the space between the article "Le" and the surname.
3. Lecalvez: Some people may spell it without the initial capital 'L', which is a common practice in French but less so in English.
4. De Le Calvez or Delacalvez: The addition of "De" at the beginning suggests a nobility title, though this is not always the case. It can also be due to regional differences or personal preference.
5. Lacalvez: A simplified version that omits the initial 'Le' and 'de'.
6. LeCalvès (with an accent on the final 'e'): This is the French diacritical marking for a closed-mid back rounded vowel, but it may not always be used in English transcriptions.
7. Lecalvés: Similar to the previous version, but with the diacritical mark on the final 'e'.

These variations and spellings show how the surname Le Calvez has evolved over time, reflecting regional differences, personal preferences, and cultural influences.

Famous people with the last name Le-calvez

Prominent individuals sharing the surname Le Calvez include:

1. Jean Le Calve (born 1946), a French politician who served as the mayor of Montigny-le-Bretonneux from 1989 to 2014.

2. Julien Le Calvez (born 1986), a French singer, songwriter, and actor, known for his participation in the reality TV show "Nouvelle Star" in 2005.

3. Léon Le Calvé (1871-1948), a French artist specializing in etching and lithography, whose work often depicted Parisian street scenes.

4. Jean-Baptiste Le Calvé (1760-1823), a French naval officer who participated in the Napoleonic Wars, rising to the rank of commodore.

5. Alain Le Calvez (born 1958), a French academic and historian, specializing in modern French history and the history of the Second World War.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as politics, art, music, and academia.

Genealogical research on the last name Le-calvez

The surname Le Calvez originates from France and is a variant of the Breton name "Le Kalvez," meaning "the blacksmith" or "the smith." The name has its roots in Brittany, a region in northwestern France with a distinct Celtic heritage. Over time, it spread to other parts of France and subsequently migrated to other countries due to French colonization and immigration waves.

In Quebec, Canada, Le Calvez is a relatively common surname, likely due to the French influence in that region. In the United States, it is also found among populations of French descent, particularly in Louisiana where French colonial influences are strong. In both countries, variations such as LeCalvez, LeKalvez, and LeCavalier can be encountered.

In Europe, the name can be traced back to the 14th century, with recorded instances in Brittany. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Pierre Le Calvez (1657-1733), a French naval officer and explorer who led expeditions to North America in the early 18th century, and Jean-Pierre Le Calvé (1904-1992), a French Resistance fighter during World War II.

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 Le-bars

Last name • surnames > le-bars

The last name "Le Bars" appears to have French origins. In French, the word "bar" translates to "bar" or "counter." It is possible that the name originated as an occupational surna...

#2 Le-beherec

Last name • surnames > le-beherec

The last name "Le Beherec" is of French origin. This surname is composed of two elements: "Le," which is a common French prefix meaning "the," and "Beherec," which is the main part...

#3 Le-bizec

Last name • surnames > le-bizec

The surname "Le Bizec" appears to have French origins. "Le" is a common prefix in French surnames, meaning "the" in English. "Bizec," on the other hand, does not have a recognized ...

#4 Le-bouhellec

Last name • surnames > le-bouhellec

The last name Le Bouhellec is of French origin. It is a surname that is most commonly found in the region of Brittany in northwestern France. The name is likely derived from a plac...

#5 Le-bourlegat

Last name • surnames > le-bourlegat

The surname Le Bourlegat is of French origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a village called Bourlegui or Bourlogne, located in Normandy, France. The name originate...

#6 Le-branchu

Last name • surnames > le-branchu

The last name "Le Branchu" is of French origin. It is a surname that likely derived from the Old French word "branchu," meaning "sprig" or "shoot." The name may have originally bee...

#7 Le-cardiet

Last name • surnames > le-cardiet

The last name "Le Cardiet" is of French origin. It is believed to be a topographic surname derived from the Old French word "card," meaning thistle or teasel, which refers to a pla...

#8 Le-cloarec

Last name • surnames > le-cloarec

The surname Le Clouarc has its origins in France. It is derived from a place name, specifically from the town called Cléguer in Brittany. Surnames developed during the Middle Ages...

#9 Le-coadou

Last name • surnames > le-coadou

The surname Le Coadou is of French origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a small village named "Caudou" located in the department of Vaucluse in southeastern France...

#10 Le-cocq

Last name • surnames > le-cocq

The surname Le Cocq is of French origin and derives from a nickname for someone who was a cockerel (rooster) in French, "coq." Nicknames were often used as surnames during the Midd...

#11 Le-coz

Last name • surnames > le-coz

The origin of the surname "Le Coz" can be traced back to France. It is a variant of the more common French surname "Coz" or "Cozette." The name originated from Brittany, which is a...

#12 Le-cuziat

Last name • surnames > le-cuziat

The surname "Le Cuziat" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "coset" meaning "corner" or "nook." It is believed that this surname may have originally been a ...

#13 Le-floch

Last name • surnames > le-floch

The last name "Le Floch" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old Breton personal name "Maeloc" or "Manloc", which means "devotee of St. Cadoc". Over time, the name evolved ...

#14 Le-flohic

Last name • surnames > le-flohic

The surname Le Flohic is of French origin. It is derived from a geographical name, referring to someone who originally lived near a mill or stream called "Follic" or "Fouillic". Th...

#15 Le-goas

Last name • surnames > le-goas

The surname Le Goas does not have a definitive single origin due to its historical and geographical dispersal. However, it is believed that the name could have French roots. The t...