Surname Lemaitre - Meaning and Origin
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A. Lemaitre
read moreLemaitre: What does the surname Lemaitre mean?
The last name Lemaitre is of French origin and generally thought to be derived from the Latin word “majestas” which means “majesty”. This meaning seems to be closely connected to royal roots, as in the Middle Ages, renowned families bearing this surname were found in Flanders and other parts of France.
The literal translation of the name Lemaitre is ‘the master’, although alternative variations of this name such as LeMaitre or l’Maitre are also known. In the Middle Ages, le maître referred to a landowner or ‘master of a domain’, and due to the fact that the Lemaitre name was often found close to land and other significant properties, this sentiment seems likely.
Although historical records do not reveal an exact date when the Lemaitre name was first introduced in France, it is likely that it was in the 12th or 13th century, specifically during the European Middle Ages. It was in this period that French names became fixed, and the idea of family was firmly established.
Today, Lemaitre is a common surname in France with an estimated 40,000 people bearing this name. There are also a number of well-known figures in France with this surname, such as astronomer George Lemaitre, actor Jean-Francois Lemaitre, and theatrical historian Michel Lemaitre.
Order DNA origin analysisLemaitre: Where does the name Lemaitre come from?
The last name Lemaitre , or various alternate spellings of the name including Lemaitres, Lemaitrè, Lemeitre, and LaMaitre, is thought to have originated in France. It is common today in French-speaking areas of Europe, and is also found in regions of North America with French-speaking populations, such as Canada and the United States.
In France, the Lemaitres are most often found in two former provinces, Picardy in the north and Anjou in the west, which were both combined into the modern-day region of Pays de la Loire, although certain branches of the family have emigrated throughout the country.
In North America, the Lemaitre surname is primarily associated with French-speaking Quebec, where it is the 164th most common surname out of all the surnames in use in the province. The name is also popular in the United States, particularly in Louisiana, where an influx of French-Canadians in the 17th century had a large impact on the state's culture and language.
The Lemaitre surname is also surprisingly prevalent in Francophone parts of West Africa, particularly in Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Benin, indicating a much more recent influx of the family from Europe.
Overall, then, the last name Lemaitre is most common today in French-speaking Europe and North America, as well as parts of West Africa.
Variations of the surname Lemaitre
The surname Lemaitre is a French patronymic surname that originated in the France region of Old France centuries ago. It is derived from the Old French word "Maitre", which means "Master". The variants, spellings, and surnames of Lemaitre all have the same origin, although some may be more popular than others.
First, Lemaitre is often spelled as LeMaitre or Lemaitre. Both spellings are accepted and used throughout the world.
The variants of Lemaitre include LeMay, Maitre, Lemaytre, Maytre, Maistre, Maister, Mayster, Maistro, Maester, and Master. These variants are used frequently in Germany, Canada, the United States, and other countries around the world.
Many of the same surnames can be found in other countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Spain. Since most of these countries are French-speaking, the surnames are often seen spelled as Lemaître, Le Maître, Maître, Maistre, Maestre, Maîstro, Maester, and Maestro.
Other variations of Lemaitre include Lemayre, Lematre, Le Maire, Maitra, and Maître. These spellings are mostly used in France.
Finally, Lemaitre is also found in the United Kingdom as Lemmatt, Lemott, Lematt of Lemmet. These three variations are mainly found in the Southern part of the UK.
Overall, Lemaitre is a patronymic surname that originated out of Old French and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is used throughout the world, most predominantly in France, Canada, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Lemaitre
- Georges Lemaître: From Belgium, Georges was the first to propose the theory of the expanding universe and the Big Bang theory.
- Pierre Lemaitre: A French author and screenwriter, Pierre is renowned for his thrillers, crime fiction, and other literary works.
- Antoine Lemaitre: Hailing from France, Antoine is a professional football player who currently plays for Guingamp as a midfielder.
- Jean Lemaire de Belges: This Belgian poet from the 1500s is renowned for his works in the field of chivalric romance.
- André Lemaire: A French biblical scholar specializing in encyclopedic study, André has written several books on ancient inscriptions and scrolls found in the Near East.
- Paul Lemaitre: A civil servant in the French Ministry of Finance, Paul is one of the most well-known financiers and economists of the late 1960s to 1980s.
- Xavier Lemaitre: A world renowned journalist and host of the French radio show On Refait Le Monde, Xavier is famous for his societal opinions and his stances on public policy.
- Gérard Lemaitre: A French Communist politician, Gérard was president of his party in Northern France from the 1980s to 2000s.
- Émilie Lemaitre: A French journalist and playwright, Émilie leaves her readers captivated with her informative, and captivating articles.
- Oscar Lemaitre: Named after his father, the French sculptor, Oscar continues his fathers brilliant work in traditional and modern sculpting styles.