Last Name Vache

The surname Vache is of French origin and it means "cow" in French. This surname was often given to people who owned a cow or lived near a pasture where cows were kept. It's one of many occupational or locative names that were common in medieval Europe, indicating the original bearer's profession or place of residence.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vache

The meaning and origin of the last name Vache

The surname Vache is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "vache" which means cow. It is thought to have been either an occupational name for a farmer who owned cows, or a nickname for someone who was large or strong, likened to a cow due to physical appearance. In some cases, it may also have been used as a metaphorical reference, implying a person with stubborn or hard-headed characteristics, similar to that of a cow. The surname Vache can be found in various forms and spellings across different regions, such as Vacher, Vaquier, and Vaissier. It has also been anglicized to names like Vatcher, Vaich, and Fawcett.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vache

The surname Vache is predominantly found in France, particularly in regions such as Normandy, Brittany, and the Pays de la Loire, where it originated from medieval times. It is a toponymic name derived from various places named "Vach" or "Vaches," meaning cows or pastures in Old French. Over time, some families bearing this surname emigrated from France to other European countries, most notably Belgium and Switzerland. In the New World, descendants of these French immigrants settled primarily in Quebec, Canada, as well as Louisiana and a few other states in the United States, particularly those with strong French colonial influence. It is also found among the Acadian diaspora, who were forced to leave their homes in Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia) during the Great Expulsion in the 18th century and dispersed across North America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vache

The surname Vache has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. In French, the most common spelling is "Vache," which translates to cow in English. This name can also be found with minor variations such as Vache and Vaches (plural).

In Italian, a similar-sounding surname is Vacche or Vacche, which shares a similar etymology, derived from the Latin word "vacca" meaning cow. In Spanish, the name can be spelled as Vache or Vaca, the latter being more common and sharing the same root as the Italian version.

In Portuguese, variations of the name include Vaque or Vaqueiro (meaning a cattle herder), while in Dutch, it may appear as Koe or Koey, which means cow. These variations underscore the historical significance of livestock in certain cultures and demonstrate the versatility of this surname across languages.

Famous people with the last name Vache

Notable individuals with the surname Vache include:

1. Albert Vache (1946-2003), an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist who collaborated with artists such as Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Rollins.

2. Éric Vache (born 1958), a French historian specializing in the study of the Roman Empire and the early Middle Ages. He has authored several books on these topics.

3. Jean-Baptiste Vache (1763-1803), a French military officer who fought during the French Revolutionary Wars. He served under Napoleon Bonaparte and was killed in action at the Battle of the Pyramids.

4. Régis Vache (born 1957), a Swiss economist who has worked extensively on issues related to economic development, poverty reduction, and social protection. He is currently a senior adviser at the World Bank.

Genealogical research on the last name Vache

The surname Vache, derived from the French word for "ox," has roots dating back to medieval Europe. In France, it was one of several occupational names given to people who raised or herded cattle. Notable bearers of the name include the noble family of Vaches-Mortes, recorded in Agenais, Gascony, France, in the 13th century. The name also spread throughout other regions of France and eventually migrated with French settlers to various parts of the world. In North America, early settlers bearing the surname Vache can be found primarily in Quebec, Canada, as well as Louisiana, USA, where they arrived during the 18th and 19th centuries due to French colonization efforts. In modern times, the Vache family name is prevalent across France, Canada, and the United States, with variations such as Vachon (French-Canadian), Vaqué, and Vaque appearing in different regions.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Vache"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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