Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Rivoire

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Rivoire?

The surname Rivoire is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "rive," meaning "bank" or "shore." Over time, it became a topographic name for someone who lived near a river bank or stream, or it could have been an occupational name for a person whose job was to maintain the banks of a river. As with many surnames, its exact origin may vary among different families bearing the name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Rivoire

The meaning and origin of the last name Rivoire

The surname Rivoire is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "rivoire," which means "stream" or "riverbank." This name was often given to people who lived near a watercourse or body of water, such as a river or stream. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of this surname have been altered due to various factors, including regional dialects and migrations. The Rivoire family is believed to have originated from the region of Normandy in France, though it has since spread throughout the country and other parts of Europe. The name Rivoire can also be found among French-speaking immigrants in North America, South America, and other regions around the world. Today, the Rivoire family is known for its diverse origins and contributions to various fields such as art, politics, and academia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Rivoire

The surname Rivoire is primarily found in France, particularly in regions such as Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Brittany, and Aquitaine. It originates from the French word "rivoire," which means small river or stream, suggesting that it may have been given to someone who lived near a small body of water. Today, individuals with this last name can also be found in various French-speaking countries including Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada. Additionally, due to historical emigration patterns from France, the Rivoire surname has spread to other parts of the world, notably North America, South America, Australia, and Africa.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rivoire

The surname Rivoire has several variations and spellings in English and other languages. Some of these include: Rivoir, Rioire, Rioure, Riveyr, Ryvoire, Ryvore, Revoire, Reveyr, Rivere, Riveray, Riverai, de Rivoire, Le Rivoire, Lerivoire, among others. These variations may stem from regional dialects, transcription errors over time, or intentional alterations for personal reasons. It is also common to find similar-sounding but different surnames arising from misinterpretation or assimilation during immigration or record keeping. The original form of the name and its meaning remain unclear, with potential origins in France, where it could mean "by the river" in various dialects.

Famous people with the last name Rivoire

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, a prominent figure in the development of the Impressionist movement in French art, is one of the most renowned individuals with the surname Rivoire. Born in Limoges, France in 1841, he was known for his captivating and sensual depictions of everyday life, which helped establish the Impressionist style. His works include iconic masterpieces such as "Luncheon of the Boating Party" and "The Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette." Renoir's innovative approach to color and brushwork significantly influenced the trajectory of Western art.

Another notable figure with the last name Rivoire is French actress Judith Godrèche, born in 1972. She gained international recognition for her roles in films like "Amen." and "The Beach," earning a César Award nomination for Best Actress in 1994 for her work in "Les Roseaux sauvages." Her career spans over three decades, demonstrating her versatility and talent as an actress. These two individuals, Renoir the artist and Godrèche the actress, showcase the diverse achievements of those bearing the surname Rivoire in the fields of art and entertainment.

Genealogical research on the last name Rivoire

The surname Rivoire is of French origin, deriving from the Old Occitan word "rivier" meaning 'riverbank' or 'riverside'. This occupational name was given to someone who lived by the river or worked in a river-related profession. The first recorded instance of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in Normandy, France. Throughout the Middle Ages and early modern periods, numerous branches of the Rivoire family spread across France, with significant populations found in Brittany, Provence, and Languedoc regions. Some members of the Rivoire family migrated to other European countries, particularly Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Italy, during the 16th and 17th centuries. The family later emigrated to North America, primarily Canada and the United States, from the late 17th century onwards, with a significant number of Rivoire descendants in Louisiana, Acadia, and Quebec. Today, there are estimated to be over 100,000 individuals worldwide carrying the name Rivoire.

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 Rivalain

Last name • surnames > rivalain

The surname Rivalain is of French origin. It is derived from the Old Norman language, specifically the words "rival" meaning rival or competitor and "-ain", a diminutive suffix. Ov...

#2 Rivaldi

Last name • surnames > rivaldi

The last name "Rivaldi" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the combination of two elements: "riva" and "aldi." The first element, "riva," signifies a "bank" or "shore" in I...

#3 Rivard

Last name • surnames > rivard

The surname "Rivard" is of French origin. It comes from a place name meaning 'river ford' or 'ford by the river'. The name was commonly given to people who lived near such location...

#4 Rivas

Last name • surnames > rivas

The origin of the last name "Rivas" can be traced back to Spain. It is a surname of Spanish origin and is derived from the word "riva," meaning "bank" or "shore" in Spanish. People...

#5 Rivau

Last name • surnames > rivau

The last name "Rivau" is a French surname of uncertain origin. It may be derived from a place name, such as a village in France, or it could have evolved from a personal name. Unfo...

#6 Riveira

Last name • surnames > riveira

The surname Riveira is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It derives from a place name meaning "river bank" or "streamside." In Spain, it is common among people from the region of G...

#7 Riveragonzaga

Last name • surnames > riveragonzaga

The last name "Riveragonzaga" is of Spanish origin. "Rivera" is a common Spanish surname derived from the word "río" meaning "river," and "Gonzaga" is also of Spanish origin, orig...

#8 Riveron

Last name • surnames > riveron

The surname Riveron is of Spanish origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a location named "Riberón," which means "small riverbank" in Spanish. This surname was orig...

#9 Rives

Last name • surnames > rives

The surname Rives is of French origin. It comes from a topographic name for someone who lived by a river or deep ravine, derived from the Old French word "rive," meaning bank or sh...

#10 Rivet

Last name • surnames > rivet

The last name "Rivet" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "rivais" or "rivet," which means a small metal bolt or fastening. The name likely originated as an...

#11 Riveyran

Last name • surnames > riveyran

The surname Riveyran is of French origin. It comes from a place name, which means "stream running between rocks" in Old French. The first element "rivière" refers to a stream or r...

#12 Rivinius

Last name • surnames > rivinius

The surname Rivinius is of German origin. It is a variant of the given name Ruppert, which is derived from the Old High German Hropfere, composed of the elements hropf meaning "bea...

#13 Rivndary

Last name • surnames > rivndary

The last name "Rivndary" does not have a known origin or meaning in English-speaking countries. It is possible that it is a variant or a rare surname with a unique origin.

#14 Rivodigo

Last name • surnames > rivodigo

The surname "Rivodigo" is of Italian origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from a place named "Rivodigo," which can be found in the province of Piacenza in the Emilia-Romagna r...

#15 Rivolta

Last name • surnames > rivolta

The surname "Rivolta" is of Italian origin. It derived from the Middle Ages when families often took their name from the local geography, occupations, or distinctive physical featu...