Surname Roussel - Meaning and Origin

Rediscovering Family Roots: A Revealing Journey into the History of My Surname Roussel with iGENEA DNA Analysis

When I embarked on a journey with iGENEA to delve into my familial roots, I had no idea the profound revelations that awaited. The explorations of my surname Roussel, became an astonishing voyage through a rich French heritage, breathing life into my ancestors, and in the process, my identity.

I. Roussel

Roussel: What does the surname Roussel mean?

The surname Roussel is of French origin and derives from the old French term "rous", which means "redhead or ruddy-complexioned". It's a descriptive surname that generally would have been initially given to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. This was a common practice in medieval times, where surnames were often used as identifiers based on individuals’ attributes such as physical appearances, occupations, places of residence etc. The surname Roussel is widespread in France, and it's particularly associated with Normandy in the North of the country. Over time, due to migrations, the surname has become common in various parts of the world. Like many surnames, the spelling has evolved and various alternative versions exist, including Rousselle, Rousel, Roussele, and Roussell. Despite its common designation, not every person with the surname Roussel would necessarily have ancestors with red hair or ruddy complexions; the passing down of surnames from generation to generation means that the original meaning can sometimes become decoupled from the current bearers of the name.

Roussel: Where does the name Roussel come from?

The last name Roussel is most common in France, but it can also be found in other French-speaking countries, such as Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, and the United States.

In France, the name is most prevalent in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, where it ranks as the 105th most common surname. Here, the name is concentrated in the département of Isère, near the French Alps, where it is the 15th most common name.

In the United States, the name is most common in the northeast. It is the 937th most common surname in New York and 1,195th most common in Massachusetts.

In Canada, the last name is most popular in Quebec. It is the 317th most common name in the province.

The Roussel name is believed to have originated as a nickname for a red-headed or red-bearded individual. It comes from the Old French word rous, which means "red-haired." The name has mutated from numerous variations over time, including, but not limited to, Rousous, Rousseau, Rousselle, Rousseau, and Rousset.

Whatever its origin, the name Roussel remains alive and well throughout France and its former colonies.

Variations of the surname Roussel

Roussel is a French surname with a variety of spellings and variants, including Rousseau, Rousseaux, Rousselle, Rousel, Roussille, Roussillon, Roussillon, and Rouseau. The spelling variants generally stem from differences in pronunciation between the French language and other languages.

The surname Roussel is also an occupational name, referring to someone who worked as a rooster, usually a servant or a professional, as was the case in the 15th century. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the name was used to refer to the owners of farms or estates, and to hunters or people who partook in the hunt.

The English spelling of the name is sometimes Anglicized to Rouse or Russel, while other languages, such as German, may use the spelling Rossler. The name may also take on additional suffixes such as -ot, -ol, -oux, -elot, and -eau, depending on the region. For example, in the Alsace region of France, the name could be Rousselot. The surname may also become Rousselet in some places.

The surname Roussel is an ancient French name with a long-standing tradition in Europe. Today, it is still fairly common in France as well as other parts of Europe, most notably Belgium where it is also quite common. In the United States, it is estimated to be one of the more popular French surnames among Americans of French ancestry.

Famous people with the name Roussel

• Auguste Roussel (1798–1871), French playwright
• Gustave Roussel (died 1906), French lawyer andicted for profiting from sequestration and embezzlement
• Marthe Roussel (1921–2001), French actress
• Guillaume Roussel (born 1974), French film composer
• Jean-François Roussel (born 1962), French politician
• David Roussel (born 1969), French footballer
• Laurent Roussel (born 1969), French swimmer
• Louis Henry Roussel Jr. (1904–1987), American businessman and lawyer
• Félix Roussel (born 1985), French tennis player
• Fabrice Roussel (born 1972), French politician
• Anthony Roussel (born 1976), French handball coach
• Emilie Roussel (born 1985), French hockey player
• Patrick Roussel (born 1983), French soccer player
• Charles-Victor Roussel (1858–1914), French archaeologist
• Benoît Roussel (born 1977), French poet, musician and writer
• Gérard Roussel (born 1937), French naval officer
• Franck Roussel (born 1951), French politician
• Stéphanie Roussel (born 1978), French Judo fighter
• Raymond Roussel (1877–1933), French writer
• Vicomte Charles-Léon Roussel de Courcy (1830–1914), French-born diplomat and entrepreneur

Other surnames

RoussRoussardRousseRousseauRoussoRoussos