Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Ricaute

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Ricaute?

The surname Ricaute is of French origin. It is a locative name derived from the place name "Ricaut," which is found in the department of Orne in northern France. The name is believed to have been originally a term used to describe someone who lived near a farm or settlement owned by someone named Richard. This surname was brought to other parts of the world by French settlers and migrants, such as Canada and the United States.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ricaute

The meaning and origin of the last name Ricaute

The surname Ricaute is of French origin, specifically from the region of Normandy. It is derived from a geographical location or a place name, likely a manor or farm named Ricaut, which is believed to have been located in the area. The name itself is thought to be composed of two Old French elements: "ric" meaning wealthy or powerful, and "haut" meaning high or tall. Over time, as families migrated and settled in new regions, variations of the original spelling may have arisen due to differences in pronunciation and transcription by local scribes. Today, the surname Ricaute can be found among French-speaking communities across the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ricaute

The surname Ricaute is primarily found in French-speaking regions, notably in France and its overseas territories. In mainland France, it is most prevalent in the region of Brittany, particularly in the departments of Finistère and Côtes-d'Armor, where Breton is one of the regional languages. The name also appears in other parts of France such as Normandy, Pays de la Loire, and Rhône-Alpes. In terms of overseas territories, Reunion Island and French Guiana have notable concentrations of individuals bearing this surname due to historical migration patterns. The distribution outside of these regions is relatively scarce but can be found in other parts of the world as a result of French immigration or diaspora.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ricaute

The surname Ricaute has several variations and spellings. Some common versions include Ricaut, Ricouat, Ricauté, Ricaud, Rickaud, Rycaute, and Ricauté. These differences may arise due to factors such as regional dialects, transcription errors over time, or personal preference in spelling. It's important to note that the original spelling of a name can sometimes be challenging to determine due to historical variations in spelling and recording practices. In genealogical research, it is common for researchers to consider these variations when searching for ancestors with similar names.

Famous people with the last name Ricaute

The Ricautes are not as widely recognized as some other notable families, but they have made significant contributions across various fields. One prominent figure is Louis-Claude de Ricaut (1628-1707), a French naval officer and diplomat who played a crucial role in the development of France's colonial empire during King Louis XIV's reign. He was instrumental in the founding of Quebec City, serving as the colony's first intendant.

In the realm of literature, Charles de Richet (1850-1935) is another notable figure. A French physician and novelist, he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1913 for his work on the transmission of heat between living bodies. Richet also wrote several novels under the pen name "Ricaut," exploring themes such as scientific discovery and the supernatural.

Lastly, in the world of art, Marc Chagall (born Moishe Shagal, 1887-1985) is perhaps the most famous person associated with the Ricaute surname. Born to a Jewish family in what is now Belarus, Chagall emigrated to Paris in 1910 and became one of the leading exponents of modernist art. His distinctive style, characterized by its dreamlike quality and use of symbols from his native Vitebsk region, made him one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century.

Genealogical research on the last name Ricaute

The Ricaute surname is of French origin and is believed to have derived from various locations named Richet or Richeteau in France. One of the earliest records of the Ricaute family dates back to the 13th century, with the presence of Hugues de Richeteau in Normandy.

The family migrated to other parts of Europe over centuries, including Belgium and Switzerland. In the 17th century, some members of the Ricaute family settled in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti). A notable member of this family, Charles-Victor-Emmanuel le Clerc de Ricaut, was a governor of the French Antilles during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Ricaute family later migrated to North America, with significant settlements in Quebec and Louisiana in the 17th and 18th centuries. In modern times, descendants of the Ricaute family can be found across several countries, particularly in France, Canada, the United States, and Haiti. Genealogical research continues to uncover more information about the history and lineage of this interesting surname.

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 Ricadat-crosnier

Last name • surnames > ricadat-crosnier

The surname Ricadat-Crosnier is a composite surname derived from two separate French origins. "Ricadat" is most likely a variant of "Ricaud," which itself has multiple possible or...

#2 Ricafrente

Last name • surnames > ricafrente

The surname "Ricafrente" is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the Spanish words "rica," meaning "wealthy" or "rich," and "frente," meaning "front" or "forehead." This surname ...

#3 Ricamos

Last name • surnames > ricamos

The surname "Ricamos" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "ricamo," which means "embroidery" or "needlework." The surname may have originally been a occupatio...

#4 Ricaplaza

Last name • surnames > ricaplaza

The last name "Ricaplaza" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the combination of the Spanish words "rica" meaning "rich" and "plaza" meaning "town square" or "public square". ...

#5 Ricarde

Last name • surnames > ricarde

The last name "Ricarde" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the personal name "Ricardo," which is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the name "Richard." The name "Ricardo" its...

#6 Ricardi

Last name • surnames > ricardi

The name Ricardi has Italian origin. It comes from the very name "Riccardo", which means "rich in valiant" or "powerful ruler". It is a surname that has spread mainly in Italy and ...

#7 Ricardino-correia

Last name • surnames > ricardino-correia

The last name "Correia" originates from Portugal. It is a Portuguese surname meaning "leather strap" or "belt" in Portuguese. The surname may have been given to individuals who wor...

#8 Ricardo

Last name • surnames > ricardo

The surname "Ricardo" is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It is derived from the given name "Ricardo," which is a variant of the name "Richard." The name "Richard" itself comes fr...

#9 Ricardone

Last name • surnames > ricardone

The surname Ricardone is believed to have Italian origins. It is derived from a variety of given names such as Richard or Ricardo, which were introduced into Italy by the Normans i...

#10 Ricaud

Last name • surnames > ricaud

The surname Ricaud is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name Richard, which is composed of the elements "ric" meaning "power" and "hard" meaning "brave" ...

#11 Ricaurte

Last name • surnames > ricaurte

The surname Ricaurte is of Spanish origin and is derived from a place name in Spain. Specifically, it's believed to have come from the town of Ricourt in the Basque province of Gui...

#12 Ricchieri

Last name • surnames > ricchieri

The surname Ricchieri is of Italian origin and means "rich man" or "riches". It comes from a nickname for someone who was wealthy or prosperous. The surname can be traced back to v...

#13 Ricci

Last name • surnames > ricci

The last name "Ricci" has Italian origins. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Ricco," which itself is an Italian variant of the name Richard. The name "Ricci" ...

#14 Ricco

Last name • surnames > ricco

The surname Ricco has Italian origins. It is derived from the male given name Riccardo, which comes from the Germanic name Richard, meaning "brave ruler" or "strong ruler". Over ti...

#15 Rice

Last name • surnames > rice

The surname Rice has origins dating back to Old English and Old Norse language roots. It is derived from the word "rhice" or "ryce," which means "rich" in Old Norse, or "reosa" in ...