What is the origin of the last name Ragot?

The surname Ragot is of French origin. It is derived from a variety of sources, primarily occupational names for someone who worked as a rag-picker, maker of rags (for use as a coarse material), or a seller of rags. Another possibility is that it could have been a nickname for someone who was neat and tidy, from the Old French word "ragon," meaning "greedy" or "glutton." As with many surnames, the exact origin may vary depending on specific family history and regional variation.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ragot

The meaning and origin of the last name Ragot

The surname Ragot is of French origin, derived from various places with the same name found across France. The name "Ragot" comes from Old French "ragot", which means "small groove" or "notch". This toponymic surname was likely given as a nickname to someone who lived near a geographical feature bearing this name, such as a valley with narrow sections or a notched rock formation. The first recorded usage of the surname Ragot can be traced back to the 13th century in France. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have evolved due to regional dialects and migration patterns, resulting in different variations of the surname Ragot found across the world today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ragot

The last name Ragot is predominantly of French origin, and it has a significant presence within France, particularly in regions such as Brittany and Normandy. There are also notable concentrations of individuals bearing the surname Ragot in other French-speaking countries like Belgium and Switzerland. Beyond Europe, there are communities with the last name Ragot in Canada, primarily in Quebec due to historical French influence. In addition, there are scattered instances of the Ragot family in various English-speaking countries like the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, often as a result of immigration from France or other French-speaking regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ragot

The surname Ragot has several variants and spellings due to historical transcription differences and regional dialects. Some common variations include Ragogne, Ragotte, Ragout, Ragoud, Ragaud, Raguet, Ragaut, and Ragoucy. These variations primarily stem from the phonetic changes of the original name, which may have been influenced by local pronunciation differences or inaccuracies during the transcription process over time. Additionally, some individuals may have intentionally altered their surnames due to personal reasons or assimilation into different cultures, leading to further variants of the Ragot name.

Famous people with the last name Ragot

Notable individuals with the surname Ragot include:

1. Georges Ragot (1862-1943), a French politician who served as the Minister of Public Works under President Raymond Poincaré from 1913 to 1920.

2. Jacques Ragot (born 1953), a French professional road bicycle racer, who won the Tour de France in 1981.

3. Julien Ragot (born 1990), a French mountain bike racer, who became world champion in the cross-country eliminator event in 2014 and 2015.

4. Laetitia Ragot (born 1986), a French professional snowboarder who won multiple X-Games gold medals and World Snowboard Tour titles.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, spanning politics, sports, and entertainment.

Genealogical research on the last name Ragot

The surname Ragot, originating from France, is believed to have roots in Old French and Germanic languages. It is derived from various sources such as "Raoul" or "Roger," both of which are Old French names, or "Hrodgares," an Old High German name meaning "famous spear." The name Ragot began to appear in records during the Middle Ages, particularly in Normandy and Brittany. Notable figures with this surname include Jacques Ragot, a French painter who lived in the 16th century, and René Raguet, a French chemist known for his work on photochemistry in the 19th century. The Ragot family has a rich history that spans many centuries and has branches across France and other parts of the world due to migration and colonization over time.

Last name distribution maps

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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.

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