Surname Arnaud - Meaning and Origin

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I recently undertook an iGENEA DNA test, which uncovered fascinating insights into my genetic lineage and the historical roots tied to my surname, Arnaud. The test revealed a Western European genetic origin, primarily from the Iberian Peninsula, and highlighted an intriguing Celtic-Romance connection. There were ties to France's Occitan regions, a minor Viking trace, and unexpected Sephardic Jewish links.

U. Arnaud

Arnaud: What does the surname Arnaud mean?

The last name Arnaud is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name Arnaldus, which is composed of two elements - "arn", meaning eagle and "wald", meaning rule. The name may have originally been used to denote a person of high social rank, such as an eagle which rules the skies. It is an occupational name for a falconer, or one who works with a nobleman's falcons, or a surname for someone who had a strong connection to falconry.

At one time, the surname Arnaud was also a nickname for a person who had a proud or haughty disposition. A common alternate spelling is Arnold. In England, the first documented usage of the name was of William Arnold, recorded in 1141. In France, the first recorded usage was of Pierre Arnaud in 1312.

Today, the surname Arnaud remains common in France, Canada, and other parts of the world. People with this surname can be found in various contexts, such as in journalism, banking and law.

The meaning of the surname Arnaud can be derived from its derivation words of 'eagle' and 'rule'. This can be interpreted as a person being in a position of power, strength, and confidence, as an eagle would be when ruling the skies.

Arnaud: Where does the name Arnaud come from?

The last name Arnaud is found mainly in France and other French-speaking countries, where it forms one of the most common French surnames. In France, the surname is most commonly found in the regions of Aquitaine, Poitou-Charentes, Midi-Pyrénées, and Limousin. However, it can also be found in larger numbers in Belgium, Luxembourg and various African countries, such as the Republic of the Congo and Gabon.

Due to its prevalence in France and the large number of French immigrants to the United States, the surname Arnaud is also common in America today. Locations with higher concentrations include California, Florida, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. It can also be seen in other countries with significant French-speaking populations, such as Canada and Switzerland.

Overall, the last name Arnaud is a renowned and widely found name, with its popularity spread across the globe. Its French roots have caused it to be found in many countries, a testament to the lasting legacy of French influence.

Variations of the surname Arnaud

The surname Arnaud is derived from the Germanic personal name Arnwald, meaning ‘eagle ruler’. It is found in various forms dated to the eleventh century in France, with a couple of attestations earlier in England. The most common variants of Arnaud are Arnau, Arnault, Arnauld and Arnaudet.

In Italy, Arnaldi and Arnoldi are both variants found in various parts of the country since the 13th century. In Northern Europe, Arni is also a popular variant. Variations of Arnaud in other languages and countries include Arnó (Catalan), Arnoud (Dutch), Arnolds (Latvian), Arnoux (French), Arnov (Czech), Arnauts (Croatian), Arnauts (Slovak), Arnow (Polish), Arnús (Spanish and Portuguese) and Arndt (German).

In France the family name has a lot of spelling variation, ranging from Arnaux to Arnauteau and two-part names such as Arnaud-Lefèvre and Arnaudeau.

In addition to these variants, the surname has also been adopted in other places as a surname, often as a result of immigration. These names include Arnoldsson (Sweden), Arnouts (Belgium and Holland), Arnaus (Canada), Arnaudas (Lithuania), Arnovits (Hungary), Arnod (Switzerland) and Arnos (Greece).

In conclusion, the surname Arnaud has many variants, spellings and surname forms. These variations can be attributed to the Latinization of the Germanic name, the administrative system of keeping records and the various migrations of people throughout history, as well as the adoption of the surname as a surname in other parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Arnaud

• Sophie Arnaud: French actor best known for her films such as Vivre Pour Survivre and La Belle equation.
• Pierre Arnaud: French actor best known for his role as Lapin in Les deux mondes.
• Jean-Pierre Arnaud: French actor, director and screenwriter, known for films such as Mathieu and La Haine.
• Bérengère Arnaud: French actress, best known for her roles in Un Oiseau Rare and Les Voleurs de Babylone.
• Jean-Jacques Arnaud: French sculptor, known for his hands-on approach to his work, primarily centered around metal.
• Pierre Arnaud: French opera singer, best known for his performance in the title role of Tancredi at the Opera Comique in Paris.
• Pascal Arnaud: French chef and winner of numerous Michelin stars, known for his innovative cuisine.
• Guillaume Arnaud: French photographer, known for his work with magazines such as Vogue and GQ.
• Michel Arnaud: French guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his experimental use of guitars and of traditional instruments from the Middle East.
• Philippe Arnaud: French former professional tennis player, winner of the French Open in 1996.

Other surnames

Arnault