Surname LaRoux - Meaning and Origin
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LaRoux: What does the surname LaRoux mean?
LaRoux is a French surname that originates from the word "roux," which means "red." This nickname was often given to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Therefore, the surname LaRoux can be interpreted as "the red one." The name has variant spellings including Leroux, Le Roux, Lerou, and Leroi. In English-speaking countries, it is sometimes anglicized as Larue. The addition of "la" before the main element of the name is a feature of French naming practices. The use of color to identify a person was a common practice in medieval times. So, LaRoux is a descriptive surname with origins tied to a personal characteristic of its bearer. Notably, many surnames have origins in descriptive nicknames or trade and occupations and are part of the cultural heritage and genealogy of a family.
Order DNA origin analysisLaRoux: Where does the name LaRoux come from?
The LaRoux surname is most common today in France, although it has some presence in other francophone countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada. This is due to the fact that its origin is French; it is derived from the Old French word "laroc" meaning "rock".
In France, the LaRoux family is most common in the departments of Charente-Maritime and Gironde, located in the southwest of the country. In some other parts of France, it also appears in the regions of Auvergne, Poitou-Charentes, and Pays de la Loire.
In the United States, the name LaRoux is most common in the states of Texas, Louisiana, New York, and Florida, according to the 2000 census. According to this data, the States of Texas and Louisiana are the ones with the largest number of people with this surname.
In Canada, the last name LaRoux is most common in the province of Quebec, although it also appears in the provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario, and Alberta.
Outside of francophone countries, LaRoux is a relatively rare surname. It appears in small numbers in the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, and Morocco and has some presence in South Africa and Australia.
Variations of the surname LaRoux
The LaRoux surname has several alternative forms, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variations could include Laroux, Larouche, Larotie, LaRoche, Roland, Laroque, Laroue, Laroque, Laronx and Laronde.
The LaRoux surname is French in origin and is derived from the region of Loir-et-Cher. This region is situated in a province of Central France and lies close to the border between the regions of Normandy and Anjou. The name is likely derived from the ancient French word ‘lod’, which means ‘wood’. It is possible, therefore, that the LaRoux surname is derived from a place-name and may have been an indicator of a family who lived in or near forestland in this region of France.
There are many other variations of the LaRoux surname that have been found among French colonists in Canada, known as the Acadians. They often changed the spelling of their surnames as a form of language assimilation when relocating to their new environment. Examples of spellings found in Canada include Larocque (also known as Laroque), Laron, Lroux, Larova, Larous, Larouss and Larocue.
It is worth noting that the surname LaRoux is also derived from the ancient French name Roland, which is a personal name sharing the same Proto-Indo-European root as Laurence. This same root has given rise to modern surnames such as Lawrence, Lorenz and Lorentz among others. As such, names which share these similarities may be connected back to the LaRoux surname.
Famous people with the name LaRoux
- Phoebe LaRoux: a singer and songwriter who has released two studio albums, with her music described as a mix of "brooklyn-influenced indie-pop and soulful anthems".
- DWEW Dean LaRoux: a contemporary abstract artist who creates colorful geometric images in a style he has coined ‘Geometric Abstractionism'.
- Paul Ryan LaRoux: former National Football League (NFL) running back who played professionally for two seasons in the late 1990s.
- Kingsley LaRoux: professional cricketer who plays for the West Indies cricket team and the MCC.
- Auguste LaRoux: French painter and sculptor who was best known for his neo-impressionist works, which often featured brightly coloured still life elements.
- Terrence LaRoux: an American director, screenwriter, and actor who has penned and helmed numerous comedy films.
- Madeline LaRoux: a French language instructor who specializes in teaching French to adults and children.
- David LaRoux: an astronomer who specializes in the study of cosmology and astrophysics.
- William LaRoux: a French climber who pioneered multiple alpine climbing routes in the French Alps.
- Vittorio LaRoux: an Italian-born actor best known for his portrayal of the villainous Professor Moriarty in the Sherlock Holmes series of films.