NomOrigine Background

Last Name Roberge

What is the origin of the last name Roberge?

The surname "Roberge" is of French origin and is a variant form of Robert, which has Germanic roots. It is derived from the Germanic Hrod-berht, composed of the elements Hrod, meaning fame or glory, and berht, meaning bright or famous. Over time, it evolved into the Old French name Robert and its variants in different languages, including Roberge.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Roberge

The meaning and origin of the last name Roberge

The surname Roberge is of French origin, specifically from Normandy in Northern France. It is an occupational name derived from the Old French word "rober", which means "to sew" or "tailor". The "-ge" suffix indicates that the original bearer was a son or descendant of a tailor. Over time, this name spread throughout France and its territories, including Quebec in Canada where it is particularly common due to French colonization. Today, Roberge can be found among populations of French, Canadian, and Acadian descent, with variations such as Robert (English) and Roberts (Scottish). It remains a relatively uncommon surname globally but has a rich historical background in the Norman and French cultures.

Geographical distribution of the last name Roberge

The surname Roberge is predominantly distributed across French-speaking regions, particularly Canada and France. In Canada, it is most frequently found in the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, where it originated from early French colonization. In France, it is primarily concentrated in Normandy, Brittany, and other parts of northern France. Smaller clusters of Roberge families can be found in Louisiana, USA, due to historical French immigration. The name has also been traced to a few instances in Africa, specifically Senegal, where it may have originated from the Acadian diaspora during the Great Expulsion in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. However, the worldwide distribution of the Roberge surname remains relatively limited compared to other common last names.

Variants and spellings of the last name Roberge

The surname Roberge has multiple variations and spellings due to historical factors such as regional dialects, transcribing errors, and personal preferences. Some common variations include Robertge, Robertsge, Robarge, Roberje, Roberjat, Roberjet, Roberg, Robergeau, Robergeaux, Robergeot, and Roberger. These variations can also be found with different diacritics or without (e.g., Roberge vs Robergue). The name is of French origin and is derived from the given name Robert, combined with the diminutive suffix -ge, meaning "little" or "young". Despite these differences, all these variations essentially refer to the same last name.

Famous people with the last name Roberge

The surname Roberge is notable for its association with several distinguished figures from various fields. One of the most recognized individuals is Claude Robert Gignac, a Canadian soccer player, who is known for his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport. In the world of academia, Mary Ellen Robertson, also known as M.E. Roberge, is an influential historian and professor emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In entertainment, David Roberge is a respected orchestrator, arranger, and conductor, having worked with notable artists such as Michael Jackson and Prince. Lastly, in the realm of science, Marie-Josée Roberge is a Canadian geneticist who has made significant contributions to understanding the role of genes in the immune system and cancer. These are some of the prominent figures bearing the last name Roberge.

Genealogical research on the last name Roberge

The surname Roberge originates from France and is a variant of Robert, which means "bright fame" in Germanic. It is most commonly found in the regions of Normandy and Picardy, where the name was brought by early settlers during the Middle Ages. In Quebec, Canada, the name became particularly prominent due to the influence of French colonization. The first recorded Roberge ancestor in New France was Jean Roberge, who arrived in 1634 as a settler. Over time, the name spread throughout Quebec and other parts of Canada, with significant populations also found in Louisiana (USA) and parts of Europe. Notable individuals with the surname Roberge include Canadian politician Jean-Claude Roberge and the American professional ice hockey player, Patrice Roberge. The genealogy of the name Roberge reflects its rich historical roots and its continued presence among families across the globe.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 12 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Roba (Last name)

surnames > roba

The surname "Roba" has origins that can be traced to several different countries and cultures. In Italian, "Roba" is a derivative of the word "roba," which means goods or merchand...

Robaa (Last name)

surnames > robaa

The surname Robaa is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the words " roba," meaning "to steal" or "rob," and "a," which is a common suffix in Spanish surnames. The surname may ha...

Robaina (Last name)

surnames > robaina

The surname "Robaina" is of Spanish origin, specifically from the Iberian Peninsula (present-day Spain and Portugal). It is derived from a given name, Roberto, which has Germanic o...

Robal lovr (Last name)

surnames > robal-lovr

The last name "Robal Lovr" is of Croatian origin. "Robal" is a Croatian surname derived from the word "roba," meaning goods or merchandise, and "Lovr" is a variation of "Lav," whic...

Robaljan (Last name)

surnames > robaljan

The last name Robaljan is of Croatian origin. It is derived from the personal name Robalj, which is a diminutive form of the given name Robert.

Robar (Last name)

surnames > robar

The last name "Robar" is of French origin. It is derived from the French word "rober" which means "to rob" or "to steal". Over time, it is likely that individuals with this last na...

Robasciotti (Last name)

surnames > robasciotti

The surname Robasciotti is of Italian origin. It derives from a place name, specifically from a location named "Rosciate" in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy region, Italy. This p...

Robavs (Last name)

surnames > robavs

The surname Robavs has Slovenian origins. It is derived from the given name Robert, which is a Germanic name meaning "bright fame." The suffix -avs is a common Slovenian suffix use...

Robayda (Last name)

surnames > robayda

The last name Robayda is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "rābayā" which means "to water and to give freshness".

Robba (Last name)

surnames > robba

The surname Robba is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Robert," which comes from the Germanic elements "hrod," meaning "fame," and "berht," meaning "bright" ...

Robbani (Last name)

surnames > robbani

The last name "Robbani" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "Rabbani," which means "godly" or "divine." This last name is often used by individuals or families ...

Robben (Last name)

surnames > robben

The surname Robben is of Dutch and German origin. It is derived from a medieval nickname for someone who was agile or nimble, similar to "Robin Hood." In Old French, "robin" means ...

Robberts (Last name)

surnames > robberts

The last name "Robberts" is of Dutch origin and is derived from the given name "Robrecht," which means "bright fame" or "renowned counsel." Over time, the name evolved into "Robber...

Robbertze (Last name)

surnames > robbertze

The last name "Robbertze" is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the personal name "Robert", which means "bright fame". It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is based on the given...

Robbes (Last name)

surnames > robbes

The surname Robbes is of French origin. It is derived from various given names that were popular in France during the Middle Ages, such as Robert, Robin, and Robertus, which are al...