Surname Cordier - Meaning and Origin

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Z. Cordier

Cordier: What does the surname Cordier mean?

The last name Cordier is a French occupational surname meaning "cordwainer," or someone who makes shoes and boots from leather.

The origin of the Cordier family name can be traced back to the Middle Ages when they were well established in the region of Normandy. The name was likely derived from the French word "cordier," meaning cordwainer. The closest English equivalent of this is "shoemaker."

The few known Cordier families of the Middle Ages were of peasant background, so their craftsmen skill as cordwainers was their primary occupation. Additionally, some of the Cordier families had military backgrounds and fought in famous battles and crusades.

Throughout the centuries, Cordiers have remained mainly in Normandy. But, some of them migrated and spread throughout France, settling in different provinces and terriroties.

Nowadays, Cordier remains a common last name and is found in many countries around the world. It is used by people who are descendants of the Norman-based Cordier families as well as those who adopted the name from other sources.

The Cordier name is also anglicized to Cordiner or Cordyner. It is a proud last name, rooted in French history, and has come to mean an honorable profession that has been a mainstay of self-supporting families for centuries.

Cordier: Where does the name Cordier come from?

The last name Cordier is common today in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and other French-speaking countries.

In France, the name appears to have originated in the Rhone Valley region. The name is written as Cordier in French, and it is derived from the Latin word corvus, which means "raven". It is believed that the name was first adopted as a surname to identify a person with dark hair or a dark complexion.

In Belgium, Cordier is most common in the Walloon province of Hainaut. It is believed that the families of the name first settled in the area during the early Middle Ages.

In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the name is recorded in several documents dating back to the 15th century including a census from 1784 which listed over 100 families bearing this last name.

In Switzerland, Cordier is most common in the Jura region which borders France.

The name has appeared all over the world as a result of migration during the past few centuries. It has spread to the United States, Canada, Australia, England, South Africa, and other countries. In these countries, the name is not as common as it is in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland but it is still present nonetheless.

Variations of the surname Cordier

The surname Cordier has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these are Cordiér, Cordyre, Cordier, Cordyr, Coretier, Corder, Cordyere, Cordyeer, Cordiyer, Cordeyer, Cordierry, Cordere, Corkeyer, Corter, Cormier, Cordaire, Cortier, and Courtier.

The French root of Cordier is "cordeur," with the word corde meaning rope or twine. The name was originally given to people who made or sold rope for a living. As the tradition of rope-making moved from generation to generation, families adopted the name and it became a hereditary surname.

The surname Cordier is found in France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Quebec, Canada. It is most common in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, the Low Countries, and the province of Quebec. In Quebec, the Cordiers are descendants of a French settler who arrived in the area in the early 1600s and established himself as a rope-maker. His name was Pierre Cordier and many of today's Cordiers trace their roots to him.

The Cordier name can also be seen in England, Scotland, and Ireland, though it is less common there. In the U.S., Cordiers can be found in Louisiana, Florida, and California, as well as other states.

In all cases, the spelling of Cordier has various versions. Examples of these include Corder, Cortier, Cordere, Coretier, Cordyr, and Cordayre. The spelling is usually a combination of two or three of the various spellings, with the most common being Cordier.

Famous people with the name Cordier

• Carole Cordier: A French actress best known for her roles in Pépé le Moko (1937) and The Betrothed (1948).
• Miguel Cordier: A French-American actor known for his roles in Set Me Free (1999), Vingt et un Jours (1998) and Toi la Musique (2002).
• Gerard Cordier: A Dutch actor who has had lead roles in 8 femmes (2002), Jongeheer Jansen (1986), and Mam' Zion (2003).
• Alex Cordier: An American painter and sculptor who is the founder of the Bridle Bay Institute and a member of the American Society of Sculptors.
• Mark Cordier: An American businessman who has been the CEO and President of the Alley Group since 2016.
• Dario Cordier: An Italian photographer known for his work with fashion magazines and advertising campaigns.
• Yves Cordier: A French engineer whose research has focused on precision mechanics and engineering.
• Lucien Cordier: A French sculptor who is credited with beginning the art of figurines in France in the early 20th century.
• Olivier Cordier: A French actor and radio host whose works include the television series Raid Dingue (2016) and L'effet papillon (2017).
• Estelle Cordier: A French journalist and television personality who has hosted the shows Un monde presque parfait (2013) and L'Île des têtes perdues (2015).

Other surnames

CordialCordiner