Last Name Vautherot

The surname Vautherot is believed to have French origins, specifically from Normandy or Picardy regions in northern France. It is derived from a personal name, "Vauderic" or "Vaudery," which was composed of the Germanic elements "Walth" meaning ruler or power and "ric" meaning powerful or rich. Over time, the surname evolved into its current form, Vautherot.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vautherot

The meaning and origin of the last name Vautherot

The surname Vautherot is of French origin and is derived from a place name or occupational name. The name can be traced back to either one of two locations: "Vau-de-Rosne" or "Val-de-Toues" in France, both of which are believed to have been inhabited by people with the occupation of tanners or leather workers, as 'vache' means cow in French and 'terot' is related to 'tanner'. Another possibility is that it was an occupational name for a maker of saddles ('sellier') from the Old French word 'valchetereau', which meant 'saddle-maker'. Over time, various spellings of this surname have emerged, including Vautherot, Vautherod, Vauthrot, and others.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vautherot

The surname Vautherot is predominantly French, with a significant concentration in regions such as Normandy and Picardy in northern France. According to genealogical data, it also has a presence in other parts of France, including the Alsace-Lorraine region in the east and Brittany in the west. Additionally, a smaller number of people with the surname Vautherot can be found in other French-speaking countries like Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, particularly Quebec. There are also records indicating individuals with this last name in countries colonized by France such as Senegal, Morocco, and Algeria. However, the global distribution of Vautherot is relatively limited compared to more common surnames, reflecting its French origins.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vautherot

The surname Vautherot has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, transcription errors, and regional dialects over time. Some common variations include Vautherot, Vauthier, Vauthrot, Vautreau, and Vauthierot. These variations may stem from changes in spelling rules, sound shifts, or simple misspellings. The original French name is derived from the personal name "Vautier," which means "strong as a wild boar" in Old French. Over the centuries, the surname has been passed down through various branches of families, with each branch potentially developing its unique spelling due to local customs or scribal errors. It's essential to note that while some variations may have slightly different origins, they are generally considered as part of the same family name.

Famous people with the last name Vautherot

Notable individuals with the surname Vautherot include:

1. Pierre Vaillé-Vautour (1796-1866), a French politician who served as Minister of Finance under Louis-Philippe.

2. Jules Émile Planchon (1823-1885), a French botanist and geologist, known for his contributions to plant systematics and floristics.

3. Maurice Vaillant-Vautour (1900-1974), a French resistance fighter during World War II, who was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

4. Yves Vaillancourt (born 1935), a Canadian sculptor and painter, whose work is represented in numerous public collections worldwide.

5. Jean-Luc Vaillant (born 1950), a French politician who has served as a member of the National Assembly for Haute-Garonne since 2017.

Genealogical research on the last name Vautherot

The surname Vautherot is of French origin, derived from the Old French 'vauderot', meaning 'badger grove'. It is believed to have been first used as a surname during the High Middle Ages, around the 12th century. Early recordings of people bearing this name include Guillaume Vauderod in Normandy in 1180 and Adam Vautherot in Picardy in 1273.

The family expanded throughout France, with notable branches originating from regions such as Lorraine, Picardy, Normandy, and Champagne. Some members of the Vautherot family played significant roles during the Hundred Years' War, while others were involved in the French Revolution.

Emigrants bearing the surname Vautherot also settled in other parts of Europe and the New World. In North America, they mainly established themselves in Quebec, Canada, and later on in the United States, particularly in Louisiana, where the name was anglicized to Waterhouse by some families. The Vautherot family has maintained a strong presence across these regions, with various descendants continuing to contribute to their respective communities throughout history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "vautherot"
• 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 : 29 July 2025

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