Last Name Maure

The surname Maure has origins that are not definitively traced to a single country or region due to its various meanings and historical uses across different cultures. However, one possible origin is from the medieval French form "Maurs," which referred to someone from the region of Auvergne, France, or specifically, the town of Montferrand-le-Vieux. Another possibility is that it could have been a nickname for someone with a reddish complexion, derived from the Old French word "maur" meaning "reddish brown." Additionally, there are variations of the name in other languages, such as Spanish (Mor) and Italian (Mauro), which mean "Moors," referring to the Muslim population that invaded Spain in the Middle Ages. It's essential to note that these interpretations might not apply to every family bearing the Maure surname, and further research may be needed to establish a specific origin for each case.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Maure

The meaning and origin of the last name Maure

The surname Maure is of French origin, derived from various places with this name across France. The most notable is Maure-les-Bocages, a commune in the Orne department in northwestern France. This region was once part of the Duchy of Normandy and is characterized by its rolling hills, pastures, and woods, hence the name "Maure-les-Bocages" (Moorish Woods). The surname may also originate from Maurs, a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in eastern France, which translates to "walls" or "fortifications." Over time, as people migrated and settled, variations of this name emerged, such as More, Moure, Moor, and Mauro. The surname Maure, like many others, was a valuable tool for identifying individuals during the Middle Ages when records were kept to track population movement and taxation.

Geographical distribution of the last name Maure

The surname Maure is predominantly found in France, particularly in the southwestern region of Aquitaine and neighboring regions such as Midi-Pyrénées and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is also present in smaller numbers across other French regions. Beyond France, there are notable concentrations of the Maure surname in Spain's Basque Country and Navarra, due to historical migrations between the two regions. Additionally, small populations bearing the Maure surname can be found in other European countries like Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland, as well as in former French colonies such as Algeria and Morocco, where it may have been adopted by individuals of Berber descent. The distribution of the Maure surname is primarily a result of historical population movements and colonial settlement patterns over several centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Maure

The surname "Maure" has several variations and spelling alternatives. They include Maoré (French), Maureaux (French), Maoire (a diminutive form of Maure in French), Maura (Spanish, Portuguese, and Irish), MacCormack or MacMorrow (Irish Gaelic with anglicized forms), Mauro (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan), Mauri (Finnish and Estonian), Mowry (English), Moura (Portuguese), and Mora (Spanish, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Hungarian, and Romanian). These variations may be found in different countries around the world due to migration and cultural assimilation over centuries.

Famous people with the last name Maure

Notable individuals sharing the surname Maure include:

1. Alain Maure (1946-2021), a French composer and musicologist known for his work on electronic and computer music, as well as being a professor at the Conservatoire de Paris.

2. Jean Maure, a Belgian cyclist who won the Paris-Roubaix race in 1936.

3. Paul Maure (1854-1917), a French socialist politician, journalist, and novelist, best known for his novels "Le Dernier des Maure" and "La Terre".

4. Roger Maure (1927-2007), a French film actor who starred in films such as "The Wages of Fear" (1953) and "The Ten Commandments" (1956).

5. Thierry Maure (born 1968), a French retired footballer who played for clubs like Nantes, Marseille, and Bordeaux, and represented the France national team.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as music, sports, politics, and acting. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to the diverse talents and passions within the Maure family lineage.

Genealogical research on the last name Maure

The surname Maure is of French origin, primarily found in the regions of Brittany and Normandy. Historically, the name has been associated with various noble families in France, such as the Maure family of Brittany, who held significant landholdings during the Middle Ages. The name also appears in Normandy, particularly among the knightly classes during the reign of William the Conqueror. Variations of the surname include Le Maure, Lesmaures, and Maurs. The earliest known record of the name is found in a document from 1230 AD, where Guillaume le Maure was mentioned as a witness in a charter for the Abbey of Saint-Ouen in Rouen, Normandy. The Maure family's history intertwines with that of France, as they played roles in notable events such as the Hundred Years War and the French Revolution. Today, individuals bearing the surname Maure can be found across the globe, reflecting the diaspora of French populations over centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Maure"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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 : 13 June 2025

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