Last Name Renouard

Learn more about the origin of the last name Renouard

The meaning and origin of the last name Renouard

The surname Renouard is of French origin, derived from the Old French name "Renart," which means "strong as a reindeer" or "brave ruler." The name was originally a given name, but it was later adopted as a surname during the High Middle Ages. In France, the name Renouard is predominantly found in the region of Normandy, where it first emerged as a hereditary name among the feudal nobility. Over time, it spread throughout the country and eventually migrated to other parts of Europe with French settlers. The spelling variations of this surname include Renart, Renouard, Renoir, and Renwick, reflecting the phonetic changes that occurred over centuries due to regional dialects and scribal errors in official documents. Today, the surname Renouard is found among the French-speaking populations worldwide, as well as among descendants of French immigrants in other countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Renouard

The surname Renouard is predominantly French in origin, with the highest concentration found within France, particularly in regions such as Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy, which were historically part of the ancient Duchy of Normandy. A significant number of people with the last name Renouard can also be found in Quebec, Canada, due to French colonial settlement and migration during the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition, smaller populations of Renouards are scattered across various French-speaking countries, such as Belgium, Switzerland, and parts of Africa where French is an official language. There are also communities with the surname in the United States, primarily in Louisiana and other states with a strong French influence, due to immigration during the colonial period and afterwards. Other countries with some presence of Renouards include England, Australia, and South America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Renouard

The surname Renouard has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription over time and across regions. Some common versions include Reynaud, Reynold, Reinhart, Reinhardt, Reinhold, Raynaud, Rainolt, Ranold, Renehard, and Renhard. These variations may have arisen from phonetic changes, regional dialects, or errors in transcription during immigration. The original French form of the name is Renaud, which means "strong advice" or "wise counsel." It is derived from the Germanic personal name Ratwald or Rodulf, composed of the elements rat (counsel) and wald (rule). Variants such as Reynaud, Reynold, and Reinhart are found in various countries including France, Germany, England, and the United States.

Famous people with the last name Renouard

Notable individuals with the surname Renard include:

1. Jules Renard (1864-1910), a French author who wrote several influential novels and plays, most famously "La Vie de Bebe" and "Les Beaux Champs."

2. Jean Renoir (1894-1979), a French filmmaker known for directing cinematic masterpieces such as "The Grand Illusion," "The Rules of the Game," and "La Règle du Jeu." He was the son of painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

3. Alain Renais (1928-2007), a French filmmaker recognized for his unique, avant-garde style in films like "Last Year at Marienbad" and "Muriel," which earned him international acclaim.

4. Jean Renard (1935-2006), a Swiss mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in algebraic topology and algebraic geometry.

5. Christophe Renard (born 1972), a French former professional tennis player known for reaching the semifinals of the French Open in both singles and doubles competitions.

Genealogical research on the last name Renouard

The surname Renouard originates from France and is a variant of the original Norman-French name Renaud, which derived from the Old High German name Hrodoweih (meaning 'famous protection'). The Normans, under William the Conqueror, invaded England in 1066, bringing their names with them. Among these settlers were many people named Renaud, who later anglicized their names to form the modern-day surname Renouard in English-speaking regions.

Notable individuals bearing this name include Jean-Baptiste Renouard (1798-1856), a French general during the Mexican War of Independence; and Paul Renouard (1834-1893), a French painter known for his paintings depicting Orientalist scenes.

The family name Renouard can also be found in Quebec, Canada, where it was brought by French colonists starting in the 17th century. Today, the highest concentration of individuals with the surname Renouard is in France and Quebec, reflecting its original Norman-French roots.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "renouard"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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 : 29 July 2025