Surname Renou - Meaning and Origin

Rediscovering Renou: An Introspective Voyage into My Family's Genetic Heritage Through the iGENEA DNA Test

Receiving the results of my iGENEA DNA test brought forth an astounding transformation in my perception of my family name, Renou. The insights into my family's diverse ethnic origins, stretching far beyond the French borders I had always assumed, instilled in me a new sense of identity and connection to a long, varied lineage.

L. Renou

Renou: What does the surname Renou mean?

The surname Renou is of French origin. In old French, the term "Renou" was used to refer to a small bird. Thus, the surname could possibly have occupational roots referring to a bird handler or it could be a nickname for a cheerful, lively person with the characteristics of a small bird. The surname could also be derived from a nickname given to an individual for his swift speed or agility. Given the social context of medieval France, surnames were often based on an individual's occupation, place of residence, or physical characteristics. Renou is a common surname in the Brittany region in northwestern France, suggesting a Breton origin. It falls under the category of hereditary surnames which means it would have been passed down from the original bearer to his descendants. However, as many surnames have evolved over centuries, there may be different interpretations and origins across various regions and families.

Renou: Where does the name Renou come from?

The surname Renou can be found today in Europe, especially in France. According to the National Institute of Statistics, it is relatively rare, with only 553 people identified in the French census last year (2020).

The surname is most commonly found in the Basque region of France, particularly in the small commune of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, where it is the 26th most common surname. It is also present in parts of Brittany, Normandy, Poitou-Charentes and Languedoc-Roussillon.

Outside of France, Renou can be found in the French-speaking countries of Belgium, Switzerland and Canada, as well as in Louisiana in the United States. In each of these countries it is purported to be associated with French settlers, who carried the name with them.

Renou may have originated in the small commune of St. Germain Au Mont d'Or in France, whose parish records show that there have been records of the name Rénou since the 1600s. The name is derived from a Latin personal name, Renatus, meaning "reborn". It may also be associated with the French word renouer, meaning "to renew or refresh".

Today, the Renou surname is relatively uncommon but it continues to be found most prominently in France.

Variations of the surname Renou

Renou is a French surname that originates from the personal name “Renaud”, which is a French form of the Germanic name “Reinwald”. This surname has various spelling and surnames of the same origin, such as Renault, Renaut, Renon, Renauld; and also its French-Canadian variants Renot, Renoe, Renoult, Renoue, and Renaud.

Renault is an older form of the same surname, and derives from the personal name “Renaud”. It was particularly common in the region of Normandy; in the 17th century, it was the fourth most common surname in the Le Havre area. This spelling is also found in the United States, where it has been anglicized into various forms, such as Renow, Renowd, Ren968yw, and Renalt.

Renaut is another variant of the same surname, with a slightly different spelling. It is found predominantly in France, but is also found in the United States and Canada. In America, this spelling is sometimes anglicized into Renot, Renoe, and Renault.

Renon is yet another variant of Renou; it is most commonly found in France and has been adopted by French-Canadian settlers in the New World. In the United States, this form is often anglicized as Renolt or Renaud.

Renault is the oldest variation of Renou, and is more commonly found in France than the other names of the same origin. It is also the most widely used spelling in the United States and Canada; in America, it is often anglicized into Renow, Renowd, Renald, and Renalt.

Renauld is a rarer variant of Renou, not often found in American records. It is more commonly used in Europe, and is sometimes anglicized as Renaulde.

The various spelling of the Renou surname all come from the same name, “Renaud”, which is a Germanic name adapted to French. These variants are found in many countries around the world, particularly in France and the United States.

Famous people with the name Renou

• Jean-Gabriel Renouard de Bussierre, 18th Century French poet, librettist, and playwright
• Arnaud Renou, French professional football player
• Ernest Renaud, Canadian veterinarian
• Louis Renou, 20th Century French Indologist
• Jean Renou, French botanist
• Louise Renou, French countryside composer and harpist
• Gilles Renault Renou, French international relations diplomat
• Sabine Renou-Bos, French rugby player
• Jean Renou, French Olympic luger
• Gérard Renou, French former Olympic hurdler
• Guillaume Renou, French professional cyclist
• Gabriel Renou, French engineer
• Thierry Renou, French politician
• Frédéric Renou, French former professional footballer and coach
• Dominique Renou, French former Coach at the Toulon rugby football club and Bayonne
• Axelle Renou, French cyclist
• Xavier Renou, automotive engineer and industrial designer.
• Alain Renou, French former road bicycle racer
• Paul Renou, French sprint canoer
• Jacques Renou, French lawyer and lawyer of the University of Paris

Other surnames

RenoRenoufRenoulRenoux