Surname Dupuis - Meaning and Origin
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Dupuis: What does the surname Dupuis mean?
The last name Dupuis is of French origin. It is derived from the Latin word duplus, meaning “twice”, which was often used to describe families with more than one child. The name is often linked to French-Canadian culture and is a prominent surname in this region of the world.
The name Dupuis can also be used to describe people from a region in France called Le Pays de Duplus. It was a major port of trade and exploration during the 16th and 17th century and as such, a number of families migrated into Canada during this period and adopted the name.
Outside of French-Canadian contexts, the name Dupuis has extended meaning. It can refer to someone who is honest and dependable (du plus fiable). It can also be interpreted as referring to having two sides (du plus et du moins), suggesting the possessor is one of two people who can be relied on.
In terms of etymology, the name comes from the same root as “duplicity,” suggesting that those who carry the last name Dupuis may have a tendency to be two-faced and deceitful when it suits them.
No matter the interpretation, the name Dupuis still carries a long history and varying meanings. Its French-Canadian connotations of family size, dependability, and earlier origins provide an interesting story for the modern day Dupuis and their family.
Order DNA origin analysisDupuis: Where does the name Dupuis come from?
The last name Dupuis is most commonly found in France, where it is estimated that roughly 22,000 people have the surname. The name is derived from the Old French word meaning "well" or "spring." Historically, Dupuis families were found in the east of France, with the name predominating in Burgundy, Champagne-Ardenne, Lorraine, and Franche-Comte. It is also found in Belgium, where it is the 8th most common surname.
In Canada, the name Dupuis is commonly found in Quebec, where it is the 11th most common surname. This is likely due to the large numbers of French immigrants who settled in this region in the 17th and 18th centuries. The name is also prevalent in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick.
In the United States, the Dupuis surname is found primarily in Louisiana and Arkansas, with other pockets of Dupuis families found mainly in the Midwest and Northeast. This is likely due to the Acadian diaspora, with the Dupuis name being among the most common of the 1600 French-speaking settlers who were exiled from the Maritime provinces by the British in the mid-1700s.
The Dupuis surname is also found in the Caribbean, specifically in Haiti and Martinique, where both regions have large populations of those with French heritage.
Overall, the Dupuis surname is most common in a band from northern France to the Caribbean. Despite originating in Europe, the Dupuis surname is more prevalent in the Americas, having spread through the French diaspora and immigration to Canada and the US.
Variations of the surname Dupuis
The surname Dupuis is a French name, with common variants and spellings such as Dupuy, Dupon, Dupuys, Depuis, and Dupuix.
In some cases, the Dupuis spelling may have slightly changed depending on where it is found. In Quebec and other francophone areas, the name is often spelled Dupuys, as the French language does not differentiate between the letter “y” and “i”. In other regions, such as those of the Netherlands and Switzerland, the spelling Dupuys is also used.
The Dupuis surname is believed to have derived from the Latin word “duplex”, which literally means “double” or “twofold”. It is thought to have been given as a nickname to a person of small stature, or to someone with two distinguishing characteristics. The name may have also been associated with someone who was pious, having been derived from “duplex pietatis”, which is also Latin for “twofold piety”.
Today, the Dupuis surname is found in many countries around the world, featuring in places such as Canada, the United States, France, Switzerland, Australia, and many more. Many of the variations of the Dupuis surname have become a part of these countries’ family names, with each spelling having its own distinct origin.
Famous people with the name Dupuis
- Mathieu Dupuis: Professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League.
- Kristin Dupuis: Canadian fashion designer and entrepreneur.
- Sharon C. Dupuis: Canadian politician and former Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in Ontario.
- Carolyn Dupuis: Canadian actress, writer, and film producer. 5.count François-Joseph-Marius Dupuis: French politician and art collector.
- Paul Dupuis: Chief Executive Officer of Randstad Canada.
- Jules Dupuis: French historian and archivist.
- Benjamin Dupuis: Professional basketball player.
- Grégory Dupuis: French voice actor.
- Semaîn Dupuis: Canadian actor.
- Pierre Dupuis: Canadian painter.
- Cyrille Dupuis: French actor.
- Françoise Dupuis: Canadian comic book artist.
- the Riviera Twins (Jean-Michel & Christian Dupuis): French pop music duo.
- Guy Dupuis: former Canadian professional hockey player.
- Martial Guy Dupuis: French boxer.
- Pascal Dupuis: former Canadian professional hockey player.
- Étienne-Joseph-Alexandre Dupuis: French lawyer and politician.
- Pierre-Loup Dupuis: Canadian visual artist.
- Louis-Philippe Dupuis: Quebec politician.
- Stéphane Dupuis: Canadian pole vaulter.
- Gérard Dupuis: Canadian singer-songwriter.
- Jean-Claude Dupuis: Canadian singer and songwriter.
- Philippe Dupuis: French ice hockey player.
- Françoise Dupuis: French writer.