Surname Lafollette - Meaning and Origin
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Lafollette: What does the surname Lafollette mean?
The last name Lafollette is a common French surname that can be traced to Normandy, France. The name was likely derived from the French phrase “fouler la feuille”, which means “tread the leaf”. The name was likely given to a family that worked at a mill and ground flour or other similar produtcs. Lafollette likely became a toponymic, a place name associated with a geographical location, as it became associated with a parish or other location in northern France, in what is now the region of Normandie.
From the region of Normandie, the family likely migrated to the United States at some point in the 1800s. The Lafollette family is now well known in the United States as a political family. Its most famous member, Robert “Fighting Bob” Lafollette, was a Wisconsin politician who served as governor and then as a U.S. Senator in the early 20th century. He was known for his progressive politics and is regarded by many as one of the founding fathers of modern progressivism.
In addition to political background that the Lafollette surname carries, it is also an important reminder of the French heritage of many Americans. People who trace their heritage back to French-speaking settlers who made their homes in the United States carry the legacy of the original family who had the surname Lafollette.
Order DNA origin analysisLafollette: Where does the name Lafollette come from?
The last name Lafollette is primarily associated with the United States, with the prevalence of this surname being highest in Wisconsin. This state is home to the largest population of individuals with the Lafollette family name.
The Lafollette family has its roots in the French province of Anjou, and the Lafollette name has strong ties to the American state of Wisconsin. The surname was adopted by the viewer of the French explorer, Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. It is believed that La Salle gave the name to the town of La Follette in Wisconsin, which was established in 1878.
The name is also not uncommon in other parts of the United States. In fact, it is found all over the nation, with significant populations found in California, Illinois, Georgia, and Texas, to name a few. It is also found in many other countries with immigrant populations, including Canada, the UK, and Australia.
The Lafollette family name has a rich history, and it is a name that is still common today. It is a surname that is filled with prestige, having a long lineage of prominent individuals associated with it. It is also a reminder of the family’s French roots, a connection that is still alive and well in many places around the world.
Variations of the surname Lafollette
The surname Lafollette is derived from the French name La Follette, which means “the little one” or “the small one”. This surname has many different variants, spellings and surname across many different cultures, meaning that there are quite a few possible surnames which can be linked to the same origin.
In Europe the name Lafollette is commonly spelled as LeFollette, LaFollette, LaFollet, Fellet, Follet, Follette, Follets, Follett, Folletti, and LaFolletta. In Latin cultures, the name may appear as Folletti, Folleto, and Folletedes. In the United States the surname has been anglicized and the variants include LaFollette, LaFollett, Lafollette, Follit, Follit, Follett, Foullett, Foulliett, LaFollit, and Follitt.
In some countries, it is also common to find the surname Lafollette as Lafleur, La Fleur, LaFleur, Fleur, and Follette-LaFleur. In some cases, the name may even be anglicized again and revert back to Fleur or Lefleur.
The surname is common in French speaking countries, especially in France and Canada, as well as English speaking countries such as the United States. It is also found in Germany, Italy, Spain, and other Latin American countries.
In conclusion, the surname Lafollette has many different variants, spellings and surnames stemming from the same origin. While it is mostly found in French speaking countries and the United States, it is important to consider the many different ways the name could be spelled when searching for ancestors with this name.
Famous people with the name Lafollette
- Robert M. La Follette (1855-1925): US Senator from Wisconsin, Progressive leader, and twice Governor of Wisconsin.
- Philip La Follette (1897-1965): US Congressman and thrice Governor of Wisconsin who served alongside his father, Robert M. La Follette.
- Belle Case La Follette (1859-1931): Wife of Robert M. La Follette and co-founder of the Women's Suffrage Movement in Wisconsin.
- Philip Fox La Follette (1897-1965): Son of Robert M. and Belle La Follette and Wisconsin US Senator.
- Raymond Robert La Follette (1916-1996): Son of Philip La Follette and Wisconsin State representative.
- Hubert La Follette (born 1945): Son of Raymond La Follette and Civil Rights Activist.
- Scott La Follette (born 1971): Son of Hubert La Follette and Wisconsin State Senator and Representative.
- Fiona La Follette (born 1988): Daughter of Hubert La Follette and Wisconsin State Representative.
- Carl La Follette (1904-1991): US Congressman from Pennsylvania.
- Victoria La Follette: Actress and voice teacher.