Last Name Videau

The surname Videau has French origins, derived from a nickname for someone with a swarthy complexion, as "vide" means empty and "au" is a suffix used to form occupational names or nicknames. It may also be a toponymic name for someone who lived in a place named Videau, though there are several locations in France bearing this name, such as the department of Lot-et-Garonne or the commune of Videau in the Côte-d'Or region. The surname is more common in the French-speaking regions of Canada, particularly Quebec.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Videau

The meaning and origin of the last name Videau

The surname Videau is of French origin. It derives from various place names across France, notably in regions such as Normandy and Brittany. The name of these places often stemmed from Old Norse or Celtic words, signifying "open water" or "wider estuary," reflecting the geographical features of these locations. In a broader sense, the name Videau can be associated with the waves or tides of the sea, symbolizing change and movement. As people migrated, the surname spread across Europe and eventually reached other continents due to historical events like the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 or colonial expansion during the Age of Discovery. Over time, variations in spelling have emerged, such as Videau, Vidaue, Vidau, and others, reflecting differences in pronunciation and regional dialects.

Geographical distribution of the last name Videau

The surname Videau is predominantly found in France, specifically in the region of Côte-d'Or and neighbouring Saône-et-Loire in the historical Burgundy province. It also has significant presence in Quebec, Canada, particularly in the regions of Montreal, Laval, Quebec City, and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, due to French colonization and immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. Smaller numbers of people with the surname Videau can be found in other parts of Canada and the United States, as well as in France's former overseas territories such as Haiti and Réunion Island. The name is less common but still present in countries where French emigration has occurred, including Belgium, Switzerland, and certain African and Caribbean nations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Videau

The surname Videau has various spellings and variations, which may include: Videau (French), Videau (English and French), Widau (Dutch and German), Weidau (German), Videaux (French), Vydow (English), Wiedau (Germanic languages), Vydeau, Videaou, Vydeaux, Vydaou, and others. These variations can arise due to differences in spelling conventions over time, regional dialects, or errors during transcription. It is important to note that while some variations may have slight phonetic or orthographic differences, the root of these names often originates from the same source, such as a particular place name or family occupation.

Famous people with the last name Videau

Notable individuals with the surname Videau include:

* **Jean Videau** (1920-2017), a French composer and musician, known for his work on the soundtracks of films such as "The 400 Blows" and "Breathless."
* **Yves Videau** (born 1953), a Canadian politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation from 2015 to 2019. He was also the Minister of Democratic Institutions from January to November 2016.
* **Jacques Videau** (1883-1974), a French journalist, editor, and publisher who co-founded the magazine "La Réforme" in 1905, which played a significant role in the modernization of French journalism.
* **Jean-Paul Videau** (born 1943), a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as the Member of Parliament for Saguenay—Jacques-Cartier from 2008 to 2015. He also served as Minister of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Agroforestry from 2013 to 2015.
* **Pascal Videau** (born 1967), a French journalist and television host who has worked for various channels including France 2, M6, and Arte. He is known for his work on the program "Envoyé Spécial" and the current affairs show "Le Grand Journal."
* **François Videau** (1839-1907), a French architect who was appointed Chief Architect of Bordeaux in 1867. He is best known for his work on the Hôtel de Ville and the Church of Saint-Éloi in Bordeaux.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields, including music, politics, journalism, and architecture.

Genealogical research on the last name Videau

The surname Videau is of French origin, derived from the occupational name "vidier," meaning "bailiff" or "sexton." This name was typically given to officials who were responsible for maintaining and cleaning churches and cemeteries. The earliest records of the Videau family date back to the 12th century in France, where the first known bearer of the name was Guillaume le Vidier in the Ile-de-France region during the reign of King Louis VII (1137-1180). The Videau family migrated from France to the British Isles and other European countries in the Middle Ages, spreading their lineage across various regions. Notable members of this family include Guillaume le Vidier (c. 1152), a French knight who participated in the Third Crusade under King Richard I; Jacques Videau (1638-1710), a French naval officer and explorer, and Pierre Videau (1904-1993), a Canadian diplomat and civil servant. Today, the Videau family can be found in France, Canada, the United States, and other countries with French colonial history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Videau"
• 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 : 13 June 2025

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