Surname Lamotte - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Legacy within 'Lamotte': How the iGENEA DNA Test Remolded my View of My Surname and Family Identity

The iGENEA DNA test, a tool that uses genetic coding to trace lineage and ancestry, has dramatically shaped my understanding of the Lamotte surname and my family identity. Its crucial highlighting of ancestral origins across various European regions and connections to significant historical groups such as the Celts has deepened my pride and sense of belonging. This report encapsulates how my viewpoint of my surname, and consequently, my sense of self, has evolved thanks to the iGENEA DNA test.

B. Lamotte

Lamotte: What does the surname Lamotte mean?

Lamotte is a French surname. In French, it is a combination of two words, "la" meaning 'the' and "motte" meaning 'mound' or 'hillock'. The name Lamotte might have been a topographic surname originally given to a person who lived near a distinctive hill or mound. Alternatively, it may have been a locational surname for someone who came from a place named Lamotte or La Motte. Such place names are common in France, often referring to medieval castle mounds or motte-and-bailey castles. The geographical spread and variations of the surname suggest that different families may have gained the surname independently due to these diverse origins. Over time, the name has spread to other countries due to emigration, so it's not exclusive to France. Despite these migrations, it is still most commonly found in France today.

Lamotte: Where does the name Lamotte come from?

The last name Lamotte is of French origin. It is derived from "la motte," meaning a small hill, mound or rise in the ground. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have lived near or on such a geographic feature. It is a toponymic surname, which are surnames based on a place or geographic feature.

Today, the last name Lamotte is common in France and other French-speaking parts of the world like Belgium, Canada (especially Quebec), and French Guiana. However, due to global mobility, migration, and diaspora, this surname can be found in many different parts of the world including the United States and other countries where French descendants have settled. Despite its spread, it remains most common in its country of origin, France.

Variations of the surname Lamotte

The surname Lamotte originates from France and is derived from the Old French "motte," signifying a hill or mound. Variations and spellings of the surname Lamotte include Lamott, Lamot, Lamote, Lamotté, Lamoté, La Motte, De Lamotte, Delamotte, and more. It's also possible to find regional variations like Lamothe, La Mothe, DeLamothe, or De La Mothe originating from Southern France, where "mothe" represents the same meaning as "motte." Other surnames like Mottet, Motte, Mott, and Mottu might be related due to their similarity in meaning.

Note that some of these variations could be more common in certain regions or countries due to linguistic differences. DeLamotte and De La Motte, for example, suggest a possible nobility connection in the past with 'De' suggesting 'of' or 'from' in French. Some surnames could also have occurred through eventual spelling errors, Anglicization, or the adoption of the name by non-French speakers.

Remember, although these names share a similar origin or meaning, they are not necessarily interchangeable as they've usually evolved to denote separate families and lineages.

Famous people with the name Lamotte

• Jean-Jacques Lamotte, a French professional tennis player
• Lady Olivia Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Duchess of Lamarotte, a British aristocrat
• Michael Lamotte, an American musician, producer, actor and writer
• Ferdinando Lamotte, an Italian Qi Gong Master
• Hyppolite Lamotte, a French theologian and Jesuit
• Aloysius Lamotte, a Belgian violinist, composer and conductor
• Jean-Pierre Lamotte, a French cyclist
• Jérôme Lamotte, a French actor and music producer
• Simon Lamotte, a French rally driver
• Jean-Alexandre Lamotte, a French painter

Other surnames

LamothLamott