Surname Guinotte - Meaning and Origin

Guinotte: What does the surname Guinotte mean?

The surname Guinotte is of French origin. It is thought to be derived from the Old French word guinotte, which means a “kind of melon”. It is believed that the name could indicate that the original bearer of the surname was a person who grew or sold melons.

In French, the name can also be associated with a “diminutive form of guillaume”, which is a male given name derived from the Germanic willahelm meaning “helmet or protection”. Thus, the surname could infer some notion of protection or safety.

Today, the surname of Guinotte is largely found in the Southwestern region of France. It is an uncommon surname, only carried by few families who are thought to have stemmed from a common ancestor.

It is important to remember that names often carry cultural symbolism and can still be relevant today as a form of heritage or identification. The surname Guinotte is associated with the French countryside and the promise of protection and safety. Even today, those who carry this surname value traditions and embrace an appreciation for the collective past.

Guinotte: Where does the name Guinotte come from?

The last name Guinotte is most commonly found in France today. It is thought to be of French origin and is derived from the French given name Guino or Guigue. In the 16th century, Guino was a diminutive of Guigon, derived from the Gallic Wiggo, which means warrior or conqueror.

In France today, the name is found most frequently in the Loire Valley region, especially in the towns of La-Roche-sur-Yon and Le Grand-Lemps. The 1888 book "Les Noms de Famille" by Ernest Nègre lists 41 individuals with this surname located in the area of Ain - mainly in the towns Lyon, Gex, Bellegarde and Bourg-en-Bresse.

It is also found in other parts of France such as Brittany, Basse-Normandie and Alsace-Lorraine. Records for 1891 state there were 671 total people combined with the last name Guinotte living in these four regions of France, although this number has likely changed in the more than century since then.

The Guinot or Guinotte surname is also found in some parts of the United States and Canada today, primarily due to French immigration in the early 20th century. It is especially prominent in the states of Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Variations of the surname Guinotte

The variant spellings of the surname Guinotte, and other surnames of the same origin include: Quenot, Guinot, Guinotte, Guinoty, Guenot, Guenotte, Guenotta, Quinot, Quinotte, and Quinott.

Guinotte is a surname of French origin which has its roots in the old French word ‘quenot’, meaning a person of rank or importance. During the Middle Ages, as people began to settle in France, the Gallo-Roman people spread their language, customs and traditions across the land. As a result, many surnames of French origin took shape, and Guinotte is one of these.

The various spellings of the surname usually depend on the country of origin. In France, the most common spelling is Guinot. In other parts of Europe however, such as the Netherlands, the Guinotte spelling is more prevalent. In England and the United States, the variation Quinot has seen some usage. It is believed that the Guinot spelling is nearest to the original form of the surname.

Given the continued presence of these names in Europe, it is likely that the Guinotte surname has spread across most of the continent. As such, other regional variations have arisen over time; in Germany for example, one may find the surname Quanot. A similar surname in Belgium is Gheenot. In Spain, the name has shifted to the Quinot version.

In conclusion, many surnames bear a connection to the original form of the Guinotte surname, yet many have evolved to fit the language of the country in which they have been settled. It is not uncommon for this surname to appear with different spellings in different parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Guinotte

• Douglas Guinotte: Douglas Guinotte is an American actor best known for his roles as a principal character in the comedy-drama series Suburgatory (2011-2014) and as the “Masked Man” in the ABC crime drama series Quantico (2015-2016).
• Louise Guinotte: Louise Guinotte is a French actress who is known for her work in the miniseries Haflerchoo (2009) as well as the films L'Ecole buissonnière (2015) and Ville-Marie (2015).
• Nicolas Guinotte: Nicolas Guinotte is a French sculptor and visual artist who works mainly in bronze and metal and is most known for his large-scale public monuments and installations.
• Jean Guinotte: Jean Guinotte was a French geographer and specialist in colonial affairs who in the beginning of the 20th century wrote a book on the role of cartography in France’s colonies.
• Rose Guinotte: Rose Guinotte was a French public speaker, author, and social reformer most known for her 1905 book Women’s Rights in France.
• Michael Guinotte: Michael Guinotte is a French racing driver who was a professional driver in Formula One from 1983 to 1987.
• Pierre Guinotte: Pierre Guinotte was a French lawyer, journalist and liberal parliamentarian of the 19th century.
• Marc Guinotte: Marc Guinotte is a French competitive cyclist who has competed in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana.
• Alfred Guinotte: Alfred Guinotte was a French mathematician and academic who was a professor at Bordeaux University and wrote a number of books on mathematics and mathematics-related topics.
• Martin Guinotte: Martin Guinotte is a French author, public speaker and political consultant who is most known for the books he has written on the European Union.

Other surnames

Guinot