Surname Leprévôt - Meaning and Origin

Leprévôt: What does the surname Leprévôt mean?

The last name Leprévôt is a French surname of Norman origin. It derives from the Latin words leo (“lion”) and praesidium (“guard of the camp”). Therefore, its literal translation roughly means “guardian of the camp of lions”, suggesting a strong resemblance with the phrase “guardian of the lions”.

The surname is most commonly found in Northeastern France, particularly in Brittany and Normandy. Coincidentally, the name first appears in historical records during the crusades, suggesting the name was inherited for ancestors who took part in the famous wars.

The name itself centers around themes of protection and courage. It may symbolize a person with courage and strength, but also with a sense of protectiveness and loyalty. Especially in the context of the crusades, the surname could suggest a fearless, loyal individual, who is willing to go above and beyond to protect others.

While the original meaning behind the name is unknown, it is likely that the surname Leprévôt was acquired by an ancestor with strong leadership qualities and resilience. In modern times, the surname serves as a reminder of courage, embodiment of loyalty, and symbolic dedication to the protection of others.

Leprévôt: Where does the name Leprévôt come from?

The surname Leprévôt is most commonly found in France, where it is recorded as one of the forty most popular surnames. It is thought to have originated in the region of Picardie, where it was first derived from an old Picard term 'le prévôt de bois', which translates as 'hedge provost' and was likely a nickname for a local gamekeeper or woodsman.

Today, Leprévôt is still a reasonably common name, with over 4,000 people having this surname in France. Most are found in the north-western part of the country, with that region having the largest concentration of people with this name. However, there are also instances of the surname spreading to other countries such as Algeria and Belgium.

For those living outside of France, the surname is often Boyd after those who left France after the Revolution or those who were among the first French settlers in North America. Canadians with this name can trace their ancestry to either French colonists who settled in Lower Canada in the mid-1700s or to French-Canadian immigrants who relocated to the United States in the late 1800s.

More recently, there has been an increase in the number of Leprévôt surname holders in other countries, especially in Anglophone countries such as Australia and Canada. The name is proving especially popular here among those of French-descent. There remain, however, sizable numbers of Leprévôt surnames holders within France, and it looks likely to stay one of the more popular surnames in that part of the world.

Variations of the surname Leprévôt

Leprévôt is a surname of French origin. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Leprevost, Leprevoste, Leprevoost, Leprevoste, Leprevostes, Leprevosts, Leprevooste, Le Prevost, Le Prevoste, Le Prevoost, Le Prevostes, Le Prevosts, Le Prevooste, L’Eprevost, L’Eprevoste, L’Eprevoost, L’Eprevostes, L’Eprevosts, L’Eprevooste, L’Eprevoosts, Prevoast, Prevoaste, Prevoastes, Prevoasts, Prevost, Prevoste, prevostes, Prevosts, Prevoost, Prevooste, Prevoosts, Prevouast, Prevouaste, Prevouastes, Prevouasts, Prevuast, Prevuaste, Prevuastes, Prevuasts.

Leprévôt and its variants are a pronunciation and spelling variant of the French surname Prevoost. The two surnames are interchangeable, having derived from the same origin. Derived from the Old French “Prevost”, which means “the priest”, the surname is most likely either from Old French “preost” meaning “prester” (“high official”) or from “preve” meaning “provost” (“keeper of the peace”). The name was most likely originally given to someone in a position of power or authority.

The name Prevoost has also been anglicized as Provot, Provost, and Provoost as well as variants including Provoast, Provest, and Proveast. The American branch of the surname is usually spelled Provost, although the British and Canadian branches often use the spelling Prevost or Prevoost.

Variations of Leprevoste such as Prevouast and Prevuast can be found in Flanders and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Forms of the surname Leprévôt can also be seen in the Netherlands and Germany.

In summary, Leprévôt is a surname of French origin with variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin including Leprevost, Leprevoste, Leprevoost, Leprevoste, Leprevostes, Leprevosts, Leprevooste, Le Prevost, Le Prevoste, Le Prevoost, Le Prevostes, Le Prevosts, Le Prevooste, L’Eprevost, L’Eprevoste, L’Eprevoost, L’Eprevostes, L’Eprevosts, L’Eprevooste, L’Eprevoosts, Prevoast, Prevoaste, Prevoastes, Prevoasts, Prevost, Prevoste, prevostes, Prevosts, Prevoost, Prevooste, Prevoosts, Prevouast, Prevouaste, Prevouastes, Prevouasts, Prevuast, Prevuaste, Prevuastes, Prevuasts.

Famous people with the name Leprévôt

• Emmanuel Leprévôt: French former professional footballer
• Pierre Leprévôt: 19th century French doctor and medical historian
• Charles Leprévôt: French painter
• Pierre-Joseph Leprévôt: French geographer
• Henri Leprévôt: French physician and politician
• Robert Leprévôt: French rugby union player
• Jean Leprévôt: French playwright
• Gabriel Leprévôt: French theatre director
• Brigite Leprévôt: French actress
• Edwin Leprévôt: Belgian film composer
• Pascale Leprévôt: French comic book artist
• Fernand Leprévôt: French opera singer
• Leonard Leprévôt: French priest and missionary
• Jean-Claude Leprévôt: French professor of atmospheric science
• André Leprévôt: French film director
• Pauline Leprévôt: French singer-songwriter
• Fouesnard Leprévôt: French sculptor
• André-Paul Leprévôt: French military officer
• Marcel Leprévôt: French ballet dancer and choreographer
• Ernest Leprévôt: French civil engineer

Other surnames

Leprévost