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Last Name Lequien

What is the origin of the last name Lequien?

The surname Lequien is of French origin. It comes from a place name or an occupational name for someone who was from the town of Léquis in the Normandy region, or a derivative of the personal name Leguin, which was derived from the Latin "legio" meaning "army". Over time, variations in spelling and transliteration have led to numerous spellings, including Lequien, Le Guen, Le Quennec, and others.

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Learn more about the origin of the last name Lequien

The meaning and origin of the last name Lequien

The surname Lequien is of French origin, derived from the Old French language. It is an occupational name for a baker or miller, deriving from the Old French word "lecuin," meaning millstone. Over time, the spelling has evolved and variations such as Lequyen, Le Quien, and Lequin have emerged due to regional dialects and scribal errors in record keeping. The name was particularly common in Normandy, France, where milling was an important occupation during the Middle Ages. As families migrated or changed professions over centuries, the name Lequien spread throughout France and eventually reached other parts of Europe and the New World. Today, it remains a relatively uncommon surname but is still found predominantly among French-speaking populations.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lequien

The surname Lequien is primarily found in France, with a significant concentration in the Brittany region, particularly in the departments of Côtes-d'Armor and Ille-et-Vilaine. This could be attributed to the historical presence of Breton families with this name in these areas. The name also appears in smaller numbers in other regions of France such as Loire-Atlantique, Morbihan, and Finistère. Beyond France, there are pockets of Lequiens in Belgium, Canada (Quebec), and the United States (Louisiana and Wisconsin), likely due to migration waves from France over the centuries. The distribution of the surname Lequien reflects the historical and cultural ties between these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lequien

The surname Lequien has several variations and spellings. These include Lequein, L'Equien, Le Quien, Lequyen, Lequyne, and possibly others due to regional pronunciation differences or transcription errors over time. In French, the name Lequien is derived from the male given name Quentin, which means "fifth" in Latin, followed by the preposition "de," indicating "from." The spelling Lequein may represent a more Anglicized version of the name. Variations with an apostrophe such as L'Equien suggest an attempt to maintain the original French pronunciation and spelling. Other variations may result from attempts to phonetically render the name into English or other languages, or due to individual preferences in spelling.

Famous people with the last name Lequien

Pierre-Joseph Lequien (1757-1826), a prominent French archaeologist and historian, is one of the notable figures bearing the surname Lequien. Known for his works on ancient Roman history, he published "Icones Insigniorum Imperatorum Romanorum" in 1810, which was a series of engravings of portraits of Roman Emperors.

Another significant figure with the last name Lequien is Albert Lequien (1924-2007), a French artist known for his abstract paintings and sculptures. His works were exhibited in numerous galleries around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Lastly, Pierre Lequien (1865-1950) was a French botanist who made significant contributions to the field of phycology, focusing on seaweeds. He was instrumental in developing a system for classifying algae based on their reproductive structures. These three individuals, from different fields and eras, highlight the diverse achievements of people named Lequien.

Genealogical research on the last name Lequien

The surname Lequien originates from France and is believed to have derived from the Old French 'le quein', meaning 'the queen'. Variations of the name include Lequin, L'Equenne, and Lesquin. The name is primarily found in the northern regions of France, particularly around the Pas-de-Calais department, where it is thought to be most concentrated. Notable individuals with this surname include Nicolas-Joseph Lequin (1732-1798), a French lawyer and writer, and Marie-Louise Lequin (born 1946), a French actress. The earliest recorded ancestor of the Lequien family in France is Jean Lequien, who was born around 1500. Genealogical records indicate that the Lequien family migrated to other European countries and later to North America, particularly Canada and the United States, during the 17th and 18th centuries.

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About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 15 June 2025

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