Surname Renault - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing the Historical Tapestry: My iGENEA DNA Test Journey through the Renault Lineage

My iGENEA DNA test journey began as a quest to understand my genetic composition and ancestry deeper. However, as the findings surrounding the surname Renault started unveiling, it became an intriguing voyage through time, tracing back to various regions like Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and even Eastern Europe. The results offered historical narratives intertwined with scientific data, expanding my perspective of the Renault lineage.

D. Renault

Renault: What does the surname Renault mean?

The last name Renault is a French surname derived from the Latin word ‘renipons’ meaning ‘to run’ or ‘to flow’. It’s thought that the name was first brought to France by the Romans and later adopted by the French. It’s possible that the name is derived from French words describing running water, such as ‘renaler’.

The most common interpretations of the name are “a person who ran”, “a person who flowed” or “a person who ran to a place of safety”. The name was particularly associated with those who ran away from danger or traveled great distances quickly.

In some cases it’s possible that the name Renault was used to refer to or describe someone who traveled to escape the law or punishment, such as a criminal or an army deserter.

In modern times, the surname Renault is mainly known as referring to the popular French car manufacturer, Renault. The company was founded in 1899 in France and has since become a successful international brand. Its name is derived from its founders, brothers Louis, Marcel and Fernand Renault.

Today, the last name Renault is very common in France and it can also be found in some other parts of the world. Because of its French origin, the people who carry the name might be of French descent, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that this is the case.

Renault: Where does the name Renault come from?

The last name Renault is commonly found today in France, as it is a French last name. It is also quite prevalent in French-speaking countries such as Canada, Algeria, and the United States. The majority of French-Americans have adopted Renault as their last name. However, there are pockets of French-speaking people in places like Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands who have adopted the name. It is also beginning to be adopted in some parts of the Spanish-speaking world, such as Argentina and Brazil.

As this name has its roots in France, the highest concentration of people with this name is, unsurprisingly, in France. Research from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies shows that it is the 325th most common last name in the country. However, the name is present in other parts of Europe too, as Renault was first discovered in Italy in the 14th century. It is the 212th most commonly found last name in Italy today.

In terms of the United States, the first Renault to arrive in America was Jean François Renault in 1721. His descendants are still found in South Carolina and Louisiana today. According to the US Census Bureau, the Renault name reached its peak in popularity in 1940 with 4,081 people bearing this last name in the US. Today, this figure stands at 2,548 people. Given the presence of French-speaking people in many parts of the world, there is no doubt that the Renault name will be found all over the world for years to come.

Variations of the surname Renault

The surname Renault is a common French last name. It is believed to derive from an Old French nickname “renal” meaning intelligent or brave and powerful. Renault is also a variation of an old French word meaning wheel. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Renault are as follows.

Some of the variants include Renalt, Renauld, Rahnal, Rennault, Renald, Rennal, Ranalt, Ranald, and Rinald. It has also been spelled as Ranauld, Rennolet, Raynald, and Renauld.

The surnames of the same origin include Reynard, Renard, Rinaldi, Raynard, Reijnald, Reinald, Renold, Renauldo, Reynal, Renaldo, Reynold, Renaultino, Reyneld, and Reinau.

Renault has also been found in Germany as “Rennholt” and in Italy as “Rennaldi”, both of which come from the Old French root of the surname.

In recent times, the surname Renault may also be found in various modified forms, such as Renand, Renoud, Renou, Remond, Renoux, and Renaut.

The surname “Renault” has spread to many countries throughout Europe and has various incarnations. From France to Germany to Italy, the Renault surname has been found in various spellings, variants, and same-origin surnames.

Famous people with the name Renault

• Patrick Renault: professional cyclist for UCI ProTeam Bingoal-Wallonie Bruxelles
• Louis Renault: French car manufacturer and racing driver
• Gilles Renault: French historian and author
• François Renault: French entrepreneur and politician
• Pierre Renault: French industrialist and philanthropist
• Thomas Renault: French obstetrician and epidemiologist
• Frédéric Renault: French football midfielder
• Guillaume Renault: French singer and songwriter
• Elisa Renault: French actress and model
• Paul Renault: French painter, sculptor, and writer

Other surnames

RenaudRenaudinRenauldRenautRenaux