NomOrigine Background

Last Name Turcotte

What is the origin of the last name Turcotte?

The surname Turcotte originates from France. It is a habitational name, meaning that it was originally used to identify someone who lived in a place called Turcoit, which can be found in the Calvados department in Normandy. The name itself is derived from the Old French "tour" meaning tower and "coite" meaning boundary or limit. Therefore, Turcotte would translate to something like 'of the tower on the boundary' in English.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Turcotte

The meaning and origin of the last name Turcotte

The surname Turcotte originates from France, more specifically, Normandy. It is an occupational name derived from the Old French word "tour" (meaning tower) and "cote" (meaning cottage), indicating that the original bearer was a guard of a fortified manor or a caretaker of a small cottage tower. Over time, the spelling evolved to Turcotte as it migrated from France to other regions, primarily Quebec in Canada, where it is most prevalent today. The name symbolizes protection and stability, reflecting the historical roles associated with its origins.

Geographical distribution of the last name Turcotte

The surname Turcotte is predominantly found in French-speaking regions, particularly in Quebec, Canada, where it ranks among the top 300 most common last names. It also appears in significant numbers in certain regions of France, such as the Acadian province of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, due to historical migration patterns. Additionally, the Turcotte surname can be found in Louisiana, USA, where French-speaking settlers established communities during colonial times. Smaller numbers of individuals with the last name Turcotte reside in other French-speaking countries, including France, Belgium, and Switzerland.

Variants and spellings of the last name Turcotte

The surname Turcotte has several variations and spellings. These include Turcott, Turott, Turcot, Turcoat, and Turcaut. The original French spelling is Turcot, derived from the occupational name for a maker of turquoise jewelry, "tour-cou(l)e", meaning "turned-hole". Over time, the spelling has been adapted in English-speaking regions due to phonetic or orthographic changes. The variations you provided represent some of these adaptations. These variations may also arise from regional dialects, individual writing styles, or transcription errors during historical record keeping. While these differences exist, they all share a common ancestry and origin in France.

Famous people with the last name Turcotte

The Turcotte surname is associated with several notable figures across various fields. One of the most prominent is André Turcotte, a Canadian politician who served as the member of Parliament for Laval-des-Rapides from 2006 to 2011 and again from 2015 until his death in 2017. In the world of ice hockey, there are two well-known Turcotte brothers: Joe Turcotte, who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Black Hawks and Detroit Red Wings, and Sylvain Turcotte, a former NHL player known for his time with the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings. In the realm of science, Denis Turcotte is a renowned Canadian biochemist and professor at the University of Ottawa, who has made significant contributions to the field of cellular signal transduction. Additionally, French-Canadian author and playwright, Michel Tremblay, uses the pen name 'Turcotte' for some of his works.

Genealogical research on the last name Turcotte

The surname Turcotte is of French origin, specifically from Normandy, and is derived from the occupational name "tour a coter," which means "tower maker." This name was often given to individuals who worked in construction, particularly in the creation or repair of towers. The Turcotte family has been traced back to the 13th century in France, with early records showing the name in Normandy and Brittany regions. The Turcotte family migrated to Canada in significant numbers during the 17th and 18th centuries as a part of the Acadian diaspora, settling primarily in the Maritime provinces. Today, the majority of people with the surname Turcotte reside in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces of Canada, reflecting the family's French-Canadian heritage. Notable individuals bearing the name include artist Louis-Philippe Turcotte, musician François Turcotte, and author Madeleine Turcotte.

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 : 13 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

Tur (Last name)

surnames > tur

The last name "Tur" has its origin in Spain and is of occupational origin, derived from the Catalan word "tor," meaning "tower." It likely originally referred to someone who lived ...

Turaa (Last name)

surnames > turaa

The last name "Turaa" is of Finnish origin, derived from the word "tura" which means a muddy or swampy place. It is likely an occupational surname for someone who lived or worked i...

Turab ali (Last name)

surnames > turab-ali

The last name "Turab Ali" is of Arabic origin. "Turab" means "dust" or "earth" in Arabic, and "Ali" is a common Arabic personal name. The combination of the two names likely signif...

Turab khan (Last name)

surnames > turab-khan

The last name "Khan" originates from the Turkic and Mongol word for "ruler" or "leader." It is a title of authority used by various nomadic and semi-nomadic groups in Central Asia....

Turabin (Last name)

surnames > turabin

The last name "Turabin" has origins in Turkey. It is likely derived from a Turkish word or name.

Turaeva (Last name)

surnames > turaeva

Sure! The last name Turaeva is of Russian origin. It is a surname typically found in Russia and other countries that were part of the former Soviet Union. The name is likely derive...

Turaha (Last name)

surnames > turaha

The last name "Turaha" is of Maori origin from New Zealand. It is a surname that is derived from the Maori language and likely has ancestral connections to the indigenous people of...

Turairaj (Last name)

surnames > turairaj

The last name "Turairaj" is of Tamil origin. It is a combination of the Tamil words "Turai" meaning "young shoot of a plant" and "Raj" meaning "king". This surname likely originate...

Turalkar (Last name)

surnames > turalkar

The last name Turalkar is of Turkic origin, specifically derived from the Turkish word "Turalkara," meaning "brave" or "courageous." It is likely an occupational or descriptive sur...

Turani (Last name)

surnames > turani

The last name Turani is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "turanico", which is a term used in Sicily to describe someone of Turkish or Middle Eastern descent. The name...

Turano (Last name)

surnames > turano

The last name Turano is of Italian origin. It is derived from the place name Turano, which is a region in central Italy. The name may have originated as a locational surname for so...

Turansky (Last name)

surnames > turansky

The surname Turansky originates from Eastern Europe, specifically Poland and Ukraine. It is derived from places named "Turany" in these regions. These places take their names from ...

Turaphiphak (Last name)

surnames > turaphiphak

The surname Turaphiphak is of Thai origin. It is derived from the Thai word "turapi" which means "to be abundant" and "phak" which means "vegetable".

Turato (Last name)

surnames > turato

The surname Turato is of Italian origin and is most commonly found in the Veneto region of Italy. It is believed to be derived from the word "torre" which means tower in Italian. T...

Turaven (Last name)

surnames > turaven

The surname "Turaven" is of Finnish origin. It is derived from the Finnish word "turva," meaning "protection" or "safe haven," possibly indicating a person who provided safety or p...