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Last Name Pigeyre

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What is the origin of the last name Pigeyre?

The surname Pigeyre is of French origin, specifically from the region of Normandy. It is derived from a place name, which was originally named "Piqueri" and located near Falaise in Calvados, Normandy. The name of the place likely comes from the Old French word "pic" meaning "peak" or "high place," and "-eri," a suffix denoting ownership or occupation. Over time, the spelling evolved to Pigeyre.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Pigeyre

The surname Pigéry is a French patronymic name derived from a given name. The given name "Pierre" or "Peyre" in Old Occitan, both meaning "rock" in French and Old Provencal respectively, has been a common name throughout France and the Occitanie region for centuries. The surname Pigéry could have originated as a nickname for a person with a sturdy or strong build, reminiscent of a rock, or for someone who was associated with a place named Pierre or Peyre. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved due to various factors such as regional dialects, handwriting, and migration. Today, the surname Pigéry is primarily found in France and its diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pigeyre

The surname Pigeyre is primarily found in France, particularly in regions such as Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie. According to data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), it is most common in the departments of Aveyron, Haute-Garonne, and Puy-de-Dôme. The name also has a presence in other parts of France but at lower frequencies. Outside France, there are limited records of people with the surname Pigeyre, suggesting that it is predominantly a French family name.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pigeyre

The surname Pigeyre has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include Pigeon, Pigoin, Pigouin, Pigeoire, Pigoyer, and Piguer. These variations may have arisen from phonetic changes, regional dialects, or errors during transcribing or translating records. The name is of French origin, derived from a topographic name for someone who lived near a wooden lookout tower, from the Old French words 'pie' (peacock) and 'guier' (watchtower).

Famous people with the last name Pigeyre

Pierre and Marie Curie are among the most renowned individuals with the surname Pigeard (often misspelled as Pigeire due to a common French orthographic error). Pierre Curie, a physicist, was born in 1859 in France. He collaborated with his wife, Marie Curie, a chemist, and they conducted groundbreaking research on radioactivity for which they won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903, and later the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. Marie Curie is recognized as the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and her work led to the discovery of two new elements: polonium and radium. Pierre Curie also won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1911 for his work on the Radium Institute. Despite not being directly related by blood or marriage, their names are often associated with the famous family name Pigeard (or Pigeire) due to their extraordinary contributions to science and humanity.

Genealogical research on the last name Pigeyre

The surname Pigeyre is a French patronymic derived from the given name Pierre, which means 'stone' or 'rock' in French. It has several variations such as Pigeire, Pigier, and Piguet. The earliest recorded occurrence of the name dates back to the 13th century in France. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Jean-Baptiste Pigeyre, a French naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars, and Michel Pigeyre, a French politician who served as Mayor of Aire-sur-l'Adour for several terms. The Pigeyre family has been predominantly found in the regions of Aquitaine and Normandy, but the name is also present in other parts of France due to migration over centuries. The spread of the surname outside France is relatively minor, with some occurrences reported in Canada, the United States, Belgium, and Switzerland.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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