Surname Theriau - Meaning and Origin
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Theriau: What does the surname Theriau mean?
The last name Theriau is of French origin, however its exact meaning is not clear. The etymology of most surnames often paints a picture of an ancestor's job or what kind of person they were. But for many French surnames, meanings have been lost over time due to changes in language and culture. Theriau is one such surname whose exact origin and meaning remain uncertain as it is not obviously derived from an occupation, geographical location, or personal feature. It is a somewhat common surname in regions where French influence is strong, such as Quebec in Canada. The correct spelling could potentially give a clue towards its meaning, as variations in spelling were common in early records due to the lack of standardized language rules. Surnames also often changed or were adapted based on the region where families lived. It's advised to trace ancestry records for more precise information regarding the surname's origin.
Order DNA origin analysisTheriau: Where does the name Theriau come from?
The Theriau surname is most commonly found in France today. This surname is popular mainly in the departments of Vendée, Loire-Atlantique, Ille-et-Vilaine, Mayenne, and Maine-et-Loire. According to data from Geneanet, more than 1,400 people with the last name Theriau currently live in France.
The surname originated in the Cotentin Peninsula of Lower Normandy in northwest France and was most commonly found among the “old French” speaking families in this region. It is thought to be derived from merovingian warriors from Therion or Thierry who took this name as their own. The family were originally vassals of the ducal house of Normandy, and their nobility was proven from the 11th to 17th centuries.
The Theriau family moved to the Vendée region where they became actively involved in the Jacobite Wars in the late 17th century. By 1890, census records show that more than 500 people with this last name lived in the Vendée region alone.
Over the centuries, the Theriau family spread out from France to other parts of the world, particularly Belgium and Canada. Today, the surname is found in all corners of the globe, including places such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Theriau
The surname Theriau is derived from Old French Thierry and is a patronymic[i] surname of French origin, variations of which can be found in North America, Europe, South America and some parts of Asia.
Variant forms of the surname Theriau include:
-Theriault: Possibly the most common spelling of the name, Theriault is a French derivative.
-Therrien/Tharin/Thirion: Common spellings of the name in France.
-Terrien/Tereau/Therier/Terry/Terry/Terrie/Terey: Spellings popular in North America.
-Terriau/Therio: Spellings found in South America.
-Thelen/Thalen: Variants of the name in the Netherlands.
Other related surnames to Theriau include:
-Thierry/Thiery/Thirry: Common spellings of the original French surname.
-Thirion/Theodory/Theurier/Theurill: Common derivatives of the same French origin.
-Theorin/Duret/Durie/Duray/Duval/Vier/Virault: Though not as popular as the other variants, they are nevertheless still derived from the same surname.
Though the variants of the surname have changed over the years depending on the culture, the core values of the Theriau surname remain the same: a noble, hardworking and family-orientated people who are proud of their heritage and the accomplishments of their family.
[i] Patronymic: Having origin in a family name; derived from the name of a father or an ancestor.
Famous people with the name Theriau
- Thomas Theriau: French professional footballer.
- Hubert Theriau: Belgian chess master and chess writer.
- Alexandre Theriau: French comedian and actor.
- François Theriau: French rugby union player.
- Vincent Theriau: Belgian historian and literary scholar.
- Pascal Theriau: French contemporary artist.
- Fernand Theriau: French painter and sculptor.
- Madeleine Theriau: French actress.
- Raymond Theriau: French actor.
- Philippe Theriau: French actor and singer.
- Jarl Theriau: French playwright and screenwriter.
- Aude Theriau: French actress.
- Armand Theriau: French politician.
- Lucien Theriau: French sculptor.
- Jean Theriau: French cyclist.
- Luc Theriau: French jazz pianist.
- Stanislas Theriau: French playwright and director.
- François-Xavier Theriau: French writer.
- Raoul Theriau: Belgian painter.
- Tristan Theriau: French dancer.