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Last Name Penot

What is the origin of the last name Penot?

The last name Penot originates from France and is a variant of the name Pietnot, which means "without Saint" in French. It is most commonly found in the region of Brittany. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved, with variations such as Penott, Pennotte, and others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Penot

The meaning and origin of the last name Penot

The surname Penot is of French origin, primarily found in the regions of Brittany and Normandy. It is derived from a personal name, likely "Pennaut" or "Penault," which were medieval Breton names composed of the elements "pen" (head) and "anwal" (servant). The surname Penot could have been originally bestowed upon an individual who served someone named Pennaut or Pennwalt. Over time, as families moved, settled, and intermarried, variations in spelling and pronunciation occurred, resulting in the diverse forms of the name found today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Penot

The surname Penot is primarily found in France, specifically in the regions of Burgundy and Franche-Comté. A significant concentration can be observed in the Saône-et-Loire department, particularly around Saint-Bonnet-de-Joux and La Claye, where it constitutes a notable portion of the local population. Additionally, there are clusters of Penot families in nearby departments such as Yonne, Côte-d'Or, and Doubs. Outside France, the Penot surname is sparsely distributed, with small numbers appearing in Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States. The migration patterns of Penot family members have historically been linked to the French Huguenot diaspora following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.

Variants and spellings of the last name Penot

The surname Penot has several variations and spellings. These include Pennot, Pennat, Pénot (French diacritic version), Peñot (Spanish version with tilde), Pennott (English double "tt" variant), Penott, Penoit, Penoitt, and possibly others depending on regional dialects or individual preferences. It is important to note that the correct spelling can often depend on the country of origin or ancestry.

Famous people with the last name Penot

Pierre-Marie Alexis Müller Penot, professionally known as Alexis Mougenot, is a French artist and musician. His installations and performances often involve aquatic ecosystems and are presented in prestigious institutions such as the Palais de Tokyo in Paris and the Tate Modern in London. Meanwhile, Julien Penot, alongside his partner Alexandre Mattenet, co-founded the successful fashion brand Kenzo in 1970. They sold it to LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton in 1993, but returned as creative directors in 2011. Lastly, Jean-Yves Penot, a renowned French microbiologist and physician, is best known for his work on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its resistance to antibiotics. He served as the Director General of the World Health Organization from 2006 to 2018.

Genealogical research on the last name Penot

The surname Penot originates from France, specifically the region of Brittany, where it is most prevalent. It is a toponymic surname derived from various places named Penhoet or Penhoat found throughout Brittany, which are believed to have been named from the Breton word "pen", meaning headland or promontory, and "hoat", a type of oak tree. The earliest known records of the name date back to the 12th century in the form of Philippe de Penot, who was recorded in the cartulary of the Abbey of Beauport in Brittany during the reign of King Philip II Augustus (1180-1223). The Penots, like many Breton families, migrated to England and other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages due to religious conflicts, politics, and economic opportunities. Today, the name is found throughout France, Canada, the United States, and various other countries with significant French immigration.

Last name distribution maps

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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 : 14 June 2025

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