The surname Mauffray is of French origin, derived from a place name or from an occupational name. The place name Mauffray is found in the department of Orne and Manche regions in France, and it's believed to be derived from the Old French "maus" meaning mouse and "fray," which means clearing or open land.
As for the occupational name, it may have originated from the medieval occupation of a mauger or mawger, which was an official who had duties related to the church, including overseeing the maintenance of church property and collecting tithes. The term "mauger" is derived from the Old French "maus," meaning mouse, possibly due to the small measurements used in land transactions at that time being referred to as "mauses." However, the exact origin can vary depending on specific family histories and regional variations.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Mauffray
The meaning and origin of the last name Mauffray
The surname Mauffray is of French origin, derived from various places with the same name in France. The most notable ones are found in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. The name is thought to be associated with a geographical location or a manorial estate named "Maufray", which means "marshy wood" in Old French, comprising the elements "maufraie" (marshy) and "bois" (wood). Over time, this place name evolved into the surname Mauffray as families moved from their original homes and carried their local identities with them. As a result, the name spread across France and eventually beyond its borders, establishing itself as a common surname in various countries with French-speaking populations.
Geographical distribution of the last name Mauffray
The surname Mauffroy is primarily distributed across France, with significant concentrations in the regions of Normandy and Picardy, indicating its potential historical origins from these areas. Outside of France, it is also found in countries with French colonial history such as Canada, particularly in Quebec province, as well as Haiti and Louisiana in the United States. The name has also been recorded in Belgium and Switzerland due to migration or assimilation over time. Its geographical distribution suggests a possible Norman or Picard origin, potentially from the town of Maule in Eure-et-Loir or Calvados departments in France, though this is not definitively confirmed.
Variants and spellings of the last name Mauffray
The surname Mauffray has various spellings and variations due to transcription errors over time and regional differences. Some common variations include Maufray, Maoffrey, Moaffray, Mouffray, and Maufray. These variations may stem from slight changes in pronunciation or spelling conventions in different parts of the world. It's essential to consider these variations when researching genealogy or family history, as they can help trace family lineages more accurately.
Famous people with the last name Mauffray
The Mauffroy family has produced several notable figures in various fields. One of the most renowned is Jacques-François Blondel de Maupeou (1739-1814), a French jurist and politician who served as President of the Parliament of Paris under King Louis XVI, earning notoriety for his significant contributions to the reform of the French judicial system. In the world of literature, Émile Zola's wife Alexandrine (born Maufray) was a prominent figure, being a writer and translator herself. Another important figure is Marie-Antoinette's dressmaker Rose Bertin, who used her maiden name Rose Maulevrier before marrying Charles Bertin. Lastly, French racing driver René Dreyfus (born René Maufray) was a key figure in the history of motorsports, as he won the 1952 Carrera Panamericana and competed in several Formula One races during the 1950s.
Genealogical research on the last name Mauffray
The surname Mauffray is of French origin, derived from various locales named Maufrais or Maufray in regions such as Haute-Saône and Saône-et-Loire. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 13th century, with Jean de Maufrais appearing in documents from Haute-Saône around 1280. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has evolved through various variations such as Maubray, Maufraix, and Maufras, reflecting regional dialects and scribal errors. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Nicolas Le Maufray (1579-1653), a French poet and playwright during the reign of Louis XIII, and Pierre Maurice Mauffray (1898-1940), an American artist known for his murals in New York City. Today, the Mauffray family can be found in various parts of the world as a result of migration and cultural exchange.
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
The surname Maubeau has French origins. It is derived from a place name, specifically from a village named "Maubec" located in the department of Vaucluse in southeastern France. Th...
The surname Maubert is of French origin, derived from the personal name Maubert, a variant of the name Gilbert. It is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages in France.
The surname Mauc originates from France. It is a habitational name derived from various places called Mauce or Mauves, located in several regions including Calvados, Maine-et-Loire...
The last name Mauchamp is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "macher," meaning "to crush or to bruise," combined with the word "champ," which means "field." T...
The last name "Maudassar" appears to have Arabic origins, specifically from the words "Maud" and "Assar." "Maud" likely means "proud" or "high," while "Assar" may mean "one who act...
The surname Maudier is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "maudire," meaning "to curse." The name may have originally been a nickname given to someone who was...
The surname "Mauduit" is of French origin. It comes from the Old French term "maudit," which means cursed or accursed. In medieval times, it was often given to someone who had been...
The surname "Maudy" is believed to have originated from various sources. One possible origin is from the Middle English personal name "Maudie" or "Maddy," which is a variant of the...
The surname Maufret is of French origin and is derived from a place name or an occupational name. It originates from a location called Maufréty in the Gers department, southwester...
The last name Maugard is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "mugard" which means wall or hedge. It was likely used as a surname to identify someone who lived ...
The surname Mauger is of Old French origin. It is derived from a given name Maguer or Maugier, which was a medieval diminutive form of the name Magnus, meaning "great" in Latin. Th...
The surname Maugeri is of Italian origin, specifically from the region of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. It is a variant of the original Germanic given name Mauricius, which means "m...
