NomOrigine Background

Last Name Meheust

What is the origin of the last name Meheust?

The surname "Meheust" is of French origin. It derives from a place name, specifically "Meslay-du-Maine," which is a commune in the Mayenne department in northwestern France. The name of the commune is derived from the Gallo-Roman personal name "Maxilus," and the Latin word for a forest or wooded area, "silva." Over time, as families moved around or settled in new areas, they often took on names based on their place of origin. This is how the surname Meheust came into existence.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Meheust

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Meheust

The meaning and origin of the last name Meheust

The surname Meheust is of French origin, derived from various locales named "Méhéucourt" or "Méhouecourt," found primarily in Normandy and Brittany regions of France. The name likely derives from the Old French "malehouc," meaning a small, enclosed or hedged field, and "court," meaning a courtyard or farmstead. As with many surnames, it was often used to identify where an individual lived. Over time, as populations migrated and changed, variations of the spelling emerged, such as Meheucourt, Mehéoucourt, Méhéoust, and Meheust. The name is less common outside of France due to emigration patterns, but it remains a distinct part of French heritage for those bearing this surname.

Geographical distribution of the last name Meheust

The surname Meheust is predominantly found in Romania, with a significant concentration in the eastern regions such as Moldova and Bucovina. It is also present in other parts of Europe, including France, particularly in the region of Hautes-Pyrénées where it has been traced back to medieval times. Smaller groups can be found in Germany and Switzerland, largely due to historical migration patterns from Romania. Additionally, there have been documented instances of Meheust families living in the United States, primarily in New York and Texas, which could be attributed to European immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Overall, while the distribution is mostly centered in eastern Europe and western France, it exhibits a diaspora pattern in other parts of the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Meheust

The surname Meheust (or variants thereof) can be found with several spellings and pronunciations. Some common variations include:

1. Meheust: This is the original spelling, which originates from France. It is pronounced as /məˈhøöst/.
2. Mayhust: A slight alteration of the spelling from 'e' to 'y', this version is still commonly found among people with French ancestry. Its pronunciation remains similar to the original - /məˈhøöst/.
3. Mehusht: This variant can be seen in some regions and can be pronounced as /məˈhuʃt/ or /meˈhʊʃt/, depending on local dialects.
4. Maheust: An alternative spelling that can be found among those who may have anglicized the name, this variation is still read and recognized widely. Its pronunciation remains unchanged - /məˈhøöst/.
5. Mehewt: A less common version of the surname, this spelling might also be found in some records or genealogies. It can be pronounced as /miˈhɛwt/ or /meˈhɛwt/, depending on regional pronunciations.

Famous people with the last name Meheust

Notable individuals bearing the surname Meheust include:

1. Jean-Claude Mehaut (born 1942), a French painter and sculptor, known for his minimalistic works that often incorporate architectural elements.
2. Pierre Meheust (born 1950), a French computer scientist who is the current Director of Research at Inria, France's national research institute for digital science and technology.
3. Emmanuelle Mehaut (born 1967), a French actress, best known for her roles in films like "Les Enfants du marais" and "Tous les matins du monde."
4. Jacques Meheust (1925-2018), a French musician, musicologist, and composer who was the founder of the Ensemble Baroque de Limoges. He is renowned for his work in baroque music revival.

Genealogical research on the last name Meheust

The surname Meheust is of French origin, primarily found in the regions of Lorraine and Alsace. It is believed to be derived from the Old French "maison haute," meaning "high house" or "noble dwelling." The earliest known record of this name dates back to the 13th century in France. Some notable figures bearing this surname include Jean Meheust, a Knight who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and Pierre Meheust, a French lawyer and politician during the late 1800s. Over time, variations such as Mehus, Mihoust, and Meyhous have emerged due to spelling inconsistencies and regional dialects. The name is less common outside of France but can be found in small numbers in countries with significant French immigration, including Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

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

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Mehabbu (Last name)

surnames > mehabbu

The last name "Mehabbu" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "Mahboub," which means "beloved" or "darling." It is a common surname in Arab-speaking countries and...

Mehaboobe (Last name)

surnames > mehaboobe

The last name "Mehaboobe" likely has Persian or Arabic origins. It may be derived from the Arabic name "Mahbub" or the Persian name "Mahbube," both of which mean "beloved" or "darl...

Mehada (Last name)

surnames > mehada

The last name Mehada is of Indian origin. It is derived from the Hindi word "Mehandi", which means henna. Henna is a plant that is used for creating beautiful temporary tattoos on ...

Mehairbi (Last name)

surnames > mehairbi

The surname Mehairbi is of Middle Eastern origin, specifically from the Arabic region. It is likely a variant or derivative of a traditional Arabic family name.

Mehak shehzadi (Last name)

surnames > mehak-shehzadi

The last name "Shehzadi" is of Persian origin, meaning "princess" or "daughter of a king."

Mehalet leges (Last name)

surnames > mehalet-leges

The last name Mehalet Leges does not appear to have a widely known origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it is a rare or unique surname with a specific historical or re...

Meham (Last name)

surnames > meham

The last name "Meham" is of English origin. It is believed to be a variant of the surname "Meakin", which is a locational surname derived from the Old English word "mea" meaning "m...

Mehamed sharref (Last name)

surnames > mehamed-sharref

The last name "Mehamed Sharref" is of Arabic origin. "Mehamed" is a variation of the name "Muhammad," which is a common Arabic name meaning "praiseworthy." "Sharref" is a surname t...

Mehamedi (Last name)

surnames > mehamedi

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Mehami (Last name)

surnames > mehami

The origin of the last name Mehami is not widely documented or well-known. It could potentially have origins in multiple regions or cultures. It is possible that Mehami is a varian...

Mehamud (Last name)

surnames > mehamud

The last name Mehamud is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the personal name Mahmud, which means "praiseworthy" or "commendable" in Arabic.

Mehana (Last name)

surnames > mehana

The surname "Mehana" is of Hawaiian origin. It can have several meanings, such as "hosting" or "sheltering" in Hawaiian. It is possible that this surname may be associated with a f...

Mehanas (Last name)

surnames > mehanas

The last name Mehanas is of Greek origin. It likely derives from the Greek word "mechane," meaning "machine" or "engineer." It may have originally been a surname given to someone w...

Mehanath (Last name)

surnames > mehanath

The last name "Mehanath" is of Indian origin, specifically from the Tamil Nadu region in southern India. It is likely derived from a combination of Tamil words or a combination of ...

Mehandar (Last name)

surnames > mehandar

The last name Mehandar is of Indian origin and is likely derived from the Sanskrit word "Mehandara," which means "a person who has a fortress of honor." This surname is commonly fo...