Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Poiret

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Poiret?

The surname Poiret is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "poret" which means 'pear-tree keeper'. This occupational name was given to someone who worked on a pear orchard or who sold pears. The name could also have been a metonymic occupational name for a dealer in pears, or a topographic name for someone who lived near a pear tree or pear grove. Over time, the spelling has evolved and variations such as Pourret, Poirier, Poireaux, and Poirier-Gaudin are common.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Poiret

The meaning and origin of the last name Poiret

The surname Poiret has its origins in France, specifically from Old French "poreit", which means "pear-tree" or "pear grove". It is an occupational name derived from a peasant who cultivated and sold pears from his orchard. The name was likely given to the original bearer based on his or her profession or the location of their residence, as pear trees were common in medieval France. Over time, variations in spelling and pronunciation have led to several forms of this surname, including Pourteau, Poirier, Poireaux, Poirée, and Poiret, among others. The name has been borne by notable individuals such as Jeanne Lanvin, a prominent French fashion designer, and Paul Poiret, a highly influential figure in the development of modern haute couture during the early 20th century.

Geographical distribution of the last name Poiret

The surname Poiret is predominantly found in France, where it originated. According to data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), as of 2018, it ranks among the top 14,000 most common surnames in France. Variations such as Poiré, Poirot, and Poire are also found. The name is particularly concentrated in regions such as Picardy, Normandy, and Brittany, areas historically associated with the cultivation of pears (the French word for pear is "poire"). Small numbers of people bearing the name Poiret can also be found in other French-speaking countries, including Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and former French colonies. Outside France, the surname Poiret is relatively rare, with occasional appearances in England, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States, often among people of French descent or ancestry.

Variants and spellings of the last name Poiret

The surname Poiret is of French origin and has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and regional pronunciation. Some common spelling variations include Poret, Pourret, Poriet, Poirèt, Poirot, Poirier, and Poirre. The name is derived from the Old French word 'poirier', meaning pear tree, reflecting its origin as a locational or occupational name for someone who lived near or worked with pear trees. The alternative spelling "Poirot" is also notable as it is the surname of the famous Belgian detective character in Agatha Christie's novels.

Famous people with the last name Poiret

Paul Poiret, born in 1879, was a prominent French fashion designer, known as the 'King of Fashion' or the 'King of Style'. He revolutionized the fashion industry by advocating for haute couture and introducing Eastern influences into Western clothing. Poiret opened his first salon in 1903, where he introduced the idea of designing a complete wardrobe for women instead of individual pieces. His designs, such as the 'Robes de Style' and 'Robes de Cour,' broke away from the traditional corseted silhouette, embracing freedom and comfort. In addition to fashion design, Poiret also ventured into interior design, perfumery, and textile manufacturing. He passed away in 1944, leaving behind a significant legacy that continues to influence contemporary fashion. Another notable figure with the surname Poiret is Jeanne Lanvin, born Marie Hélène Chatelain, who was a French fashion designer and the founder of the luxury house Lanvin. Lanvin opened her first boutique in 1889, later expanding it into an internationally renowned brand. She was known for her elegant and feminine designs, especially children's clothing, and was awarded the title of Dame Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur in 1925.

Genealogical research on the last name Poiret

The surname Poiret is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "poirier," meaning pear tree. This name was often given to someone who lived near or worked with pear trees. The earliest known records of the Poiret family date back to medieval France, where Jean Poiret was listed in the 1371 census of Normandy.

Over time, several branches of the Poiret family emerged across France and neighboring regions. One notable branch is from the city of Troyes, where the Poirets were known for their work as weavers during the Renaissance period. Another significant lineage can be traced to the region of Picardy, where the family was heavily involved in agriculture and commerce.

The Poiret name migrated with French settlers to North America in the 17th century, primarily to Quebec and Louisiana. Notable American Poirets include Henri Poiret, a prominent politician in Louisiana during the early 20th century, and Jean-Pierre Poirier, an influential architect in New York City.

Today, the Poiret surname can be found across France and its diaspora, with significant populations in Canada, the United States, and various French colonies. Genealogical research continues to uncover more about the history and diversity of this fascinating family name.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Poiani

Last name • surnames > poiani

The surname Poiani is of Italian origin. It is a locative surname, which means it was originally used to identify someone from a specific place, in this case, possibly from the tow...

#2 Poiate

Last name • surnames > poiate

The last name "Poiate" is of Romanian origin. It is believed to be derived from the word "poiata," which means "stone quarry," indicating that the original bearer of the surname ma...

#3 Poikamukku

Last name • surnames > poikamukku

The last name "Poikamukku" has its origin in Finland. It is a Finnish surname that is derived from a combination of the words "poika" meaning "boy" and "mukku" which is a Finnish t...

#4 Poilane

Last name • surnames > poilane

The surname Poilane is of French origin and comes from a diminutive form of the word "poil," which means "hair" or "head" in French. It was originally used as a nickname for someon...

#5 Poileau

Last name • surnames > poileau

The surname Poileau is of French origin and is derived from a geographical or topographical name for someone who lived near a well or a spring. It comes from the Old French word "p...

#6 Poilpot

Last name • surnames > poilpot

The surname Poilpot is of French origin. It comes from a nickname meaning "little pot" in French, referring to an individual who had a round head or face, much like a small pot. Ni...

#7 Point

Last name • surnames > point

The surname Point is of Old French origin and was originally a nickname for someone who lived near a landmark such as a point, headland, or promontory. It could also have been used...

#8 Pointelin

Last name • surnames > pointelin

The surname Pointelin is of French origin. It comes from a place-name derived from the Gallo-Roman villa of Ponthelain, located near the town of Le Crouaillois in the Calvados depa...

#9 Poiraudeau

Last name • surnames > poiraudeau

The surname Poiraudeau is a French patronymic name derived from the given name Pierre, which means "rock" in French. The suffix "-aud(e)" is a diminutive form, often used to create...

#10 Poire

Last name • surnames > poire

The last name "Poire" is of French origin. It is derived from the French word for "pear" and may have originally been a nickname for someone who either grew or sold pears or had so...

#11 Poiree

Last name • surnames > poiree

The surname Poirée is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "poirier," meaning "pear tree." In feudal times, it was a common practice to adopt surnames that wer...

#12 Poirel

Last name • surnames > poirel

The surname Poirel is of French origin. It is derived from a nickname or occupation, possibly referring to a pear seller or grower. In Old French, "poir" means 'pear' and "-el" is ...

#13 Poirier

Last name • surnames > poirier

The surname Poirier is of French origin, specifically from Normandy and Brittany regions of France. It derives from the Old French word "pierre," meaning "stone" or "pear tree." Ov...

#14 Poirrier

Last name • surnames > poirrier

The surname "Poirrier" is of French origin. It translates to "pear-tree worker" in English. This surname is a metonymic occupational name for a gardener who grew and tended pear tr...

#15 Poisnel

Last name • surnames > poisnel

The surname Poisnel is of French origin. It is derived from a variety of place names in France, primarily in Normandy and Brittany, which are named after the Old Norse personal nam...