50 Cajun Last Names With Meanings And History
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The Cajuns are a community of people living primarily in Louisiana and Texas in the United States.
Cajuns consist in part of the descendants of the original Acadian exiles. These are traditional French-speakers from Acadia (Acadia is now known as Canada). Since their establishment in the countryside of Louisiana, Cajuns have become quite famous for their French dialect.
Commonly referred to as 'Cajun French', they have developed a vibrant culture, including folkways, music, and cuisine. There are even some famous Cajun sayings that you are likely to hear in Louisiana, such as 'fais do-do' and 'pass a good time'.
Do check out our list of Peruvian last names and Lebanese last names if you are interested in finding out more information about other last names from around the world.
Popular Cajun Surnames
Here is a list of the most popular Cajun last names, including southern surnames and last names found in Louisiana, with their meanings and origins.
1. Benoit (French origin), this last name signifies 'one who says the good'. This is one of the best-known French Creole last names.
2. Bergeron (French origin), can either mean 'mountains' or 'shepherds'.
3. Boudreaux (French origin), this common name signifies 'a leader of a group'.
4. Bourgeois (French origin), means 'middle class', earlier used to describe members of the Third Estate under Louis XVI’s regime.
5. Breaux (French origin), represents 'those trusted with immense responsibilities'.
6. Broussard (French origin), is another common surname that means 'a man of the forest'.
7. Fontenot (French origin), literally translates to 'spring' or 'fountain'.
8. Guidry (French origin), this common name stems from a first name with the meaning 'hunt'.
9. Hebert (German origin), literally translates to 'brilliant warrior'. It is the most common Cajun last name in Louisiana. Hebert is quite a popular first name too.
10. Landry (British origin), signifies a powerful landlord. People with the name Landry were primarily farmers in France. Apart from Hebert, it is now one of the most common Cajun last names in Louisiana. Landry is a common name among many families in Louisiana.
11. LeBlanc (French origin), this common name means 'someone who is pale or has white hair'. Actor Matt LeBlanc is probably the most famous person with LeBlanc as a surname. Matt LeBlanc found fame in 'Friends'.
12. Richard (German origin), means 'a strong ruler'. Richard is quite a common surname in Louisiana.
13. Romero (Spanish origin), signifies 'someone on a religious journey'.
14. Thibodeaux (French origin), means 'bold or brave'.
15. Trahan (French origin), represents a 'silk worker'.
16. Theriot (French origin), this common name means 'God’s gift'.
Unique Cajun Last Names
Here is a list of unique Cajun last names with their meanings and origins.
17. Arceneaux (French origin), means 'to love'.
18. Authement (French origin), means 'captain'.
19. Barrilleaux (French origin), represents 'someone for whom family is most important'.
20. Barrois (Spanish origin), represents 'proprietors of large villages or estates'.
21. Beaugard (French origin), means 'a beautiful view'.
22. Billiot (British origin), represents 'someone who is studious'.
23. Bienvenu (French origin), means 'welcome', parents sometimes name a child Bienvenu to welcome their entry into the world.
24. Champagne (French origin), is a surname often used to describe 'someone with a bubbly personality'.
25. Daigle (German origin), means 'of the eagle'.
26. Delaune (French origin), represents 'someone who lives near an Alder tree'. The surname is often used to describe someone who is enlightened.
27. Domingue (Spanish origin), signifies the quality of 'dignity and integrity'.
28. Fortier (French origin), is used to describe 'someone built like a fortress'. The surname can also describe 'someone who works in a fortress'.
Less Common Cajun Surnames
Here is a list of uncommon Cajun surnames with their meanings and origins. Looking for out-of-the-box last names for a character? These less common last names could be ideal.
29. Aucion (German origin), is used to represent 'one who lives on the corner'.
30. Autin (French origin), means 'maker or bearer of baskets'.
31. Bourque (French origin), represents a 'man with tawny hair'.
32. Caillou (French origin), means 'pebble or small stone'. It is one of the rarest surnames among the Cajun surnames.
33. Charpentier (French origin), the name represents a 'worker of wood'.
34. Chauvin (French origin), means 'a bald man'.
35. Chiasson (French origin), is a surname that means 'someone from Chiasso', which is a place on the Swiss Italian border.
36. Cormier (French origin), is used to represent 'someone who lives near a tree'.
37. Doucet (French origin), is used to represent 'someone who is gentle natured, sweet and pleasant'.
38. Duet (French origin), is used as a surname by 'someone hailing from the Ford'.
39. Duplantis (French origin), means 'someone who lives in a vineyard or plantation'.
40. Durocher (French origin), signifies 'someone who lives in a rocky place'. It can also mean 'someone who hails from the beautiful regions of Burgundy'.
41. Faucheaux (French origin), means 'someone who mows lawns of the aristocrats'.
42. Foret (French origin), represents 'someone who works in a royal castle or lives near a royal forest'.
43. Gauthier (German origin), one of the Cajun names that means 'army'.
44. Gauthreaux (French origin), represents 'someone in a position of power in the medieval French army'.
45. Gros (French origin), literally translates to 'large'.
46. Haydel (British origin), is used to describe 'someone who is attractive both inside and out'.
47. Labat (French origin), the last name means 'priest'. It can also mean 'someone who lives in a valley'.
48. Lapeyrouse (French origin), represents 'someone who has come from a stony place'.
49. LeBoeuf (French origin), literally translates to 'bull' and describes powerfully built people.
50. Ledet (French origin), this last name literally translates to 'the dice'.
Kidadl has lots of great name articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for Cajun last names popular in Louisiana then why not look at these Mexican last names with meanings. If you are looking for something different, take a look at our list of the best names that mean rebirth or new beginning.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art
Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art
Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.
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