Surname Lejeune - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering my Roots: A journey into my family history with iGENEA
After an exhilarating journey with iGENEA, I uncovered an emotionally-charged chronicle of my family's history. The discovery of the depth tied to our surname, Lejeune, connected me to centuries-old tales of survival and resilience, causing a profound shift in the way I perceive myself and my family.
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read moreLejeune: What does the surname Lejeune mean?
The French surname Lejeune is primarily found in the western part of France. It is derived from the Old French word "le jeune," which translates to "the young one." The meaning of the surname could refer to a number of things, including someone who is of tender age, to signify a family's firstborn, or to indicate a son coming after successive generations of daughters.
By its literal definition, the last name Lejeune suggests a youthful characteristic. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Lejeune family could have been associated with families of opportunity, seeking out fresh starts in new expansion areas. In this way, the last name Lejeune would have been passed from generation to generation, symbolising the lineage’s history of resilience and youth-like ambition.
Today, the last name Lejeune is still often seen in France, particularly in the western area. As more and more of the surname’s history has become uncovered over the centuries, many people now proudly refer to themselves as Lejeune. Through this, the name has also become a popular baptismal name for children in families that wish to honour the past and future of the Lejeune family.
Order DNA origin analysisLejeune: Where does the name Lejeune come from?
The Lejeune surname is most commonly found in France. It is particularly prevalent in the Hauts-de-France region in the north and Paris and its surrounding areas in the center of the country. It is also common in Canadian provinces such as Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. In the United States, the name is primarily concentrated in the states of Louisiana and North Carolina.
The majority of bearers of the Lejeune surname originated from the Roussillon region of France, located in the Pyrenees mountain range along the modern-day Spanish border, which was ceded to Spain in the 17th century. Many Lejeunes also came from various areas in Normandy, and during the 19th century, the migration of many people with the Lejeune name can be traced from France to Canada, then to Louisiana and North Carolina in the United States.
Today, the surname is still very common in France. It is the 91st most common surname in the country, with 28,189 people carrying the name. The highest concentration of people named Lejeune is in the French departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais, followed by Sparrow in Paris, Alsace, and Aquitaine. In Canada, it is most present in Quebec and New Brunswick. In the United States, Louisiana and North Carolina have the most significant populations of Lejeunes, with large numbers also found in Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas.
Variations of the surname Lejeune
The Lejeune surname has several variants and spellings, and is derived from various regions in Europe. Variations include; LeJeune, Le Jene, del Giudice, del Giudici, le Jun, Lattì, Giudice, Giudici, De Juene, Judice, and Joyon.
Lejeune is primarily a French surname. It is derived from the Old French " LAPD and also the Medieval Latin “cad,” both meaning “the young.” In Italian, the surname is spelled “Lattì” or "Giudice," and in Spanish as “del Giudice” and "del Giudici.”
In the Netherlands, the surname became “Le Jun” or “De Juene,” and in Germany, “Judice” or “Joyon.” Other variations of this surname are “Lajeueno,” “Lajeunesse,” “Lejeun,” and “Le Jeune.”
Many Lejeune descendants have migrated to the United States, Canada, and other regions of the world, so different variants are now more common in the respective countries. However, the spelling has remained consistent among many branches of the family regardless of emigration.
Famous people with the name Lejeune
- Auguste-Charles Lejeune: French General who commanded Napoleon's empire armies and was appointed Inspector-General of the Grande Armée.
- Marie Lejeune-Carpentier: A famous French soprano who performed at the Paris Opera in the 19th Century.
- Jean-Baptiste Lejeune: A French painter who was part of the Barbizon School.
- Georges-Marie Lejeune: A French sculptor from the 19th Century who was a member of the Prague Academy of Fine Arts.
- Louis-Philippe Louis Lejeune: A 18th Century flutist and composer who was a professor at the Paris Conservatoire.
- Patrick Lejeune: A French biathlete who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and at the 2013 World Championships in Nove Mesto.
- Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Lejeune: A French priest and political theorist in the Ancien Régime period.
- Emile-Auguste Lejeune: An important researcher Christian sociologist in the 19th century.
- Edmond Lejeune: A French lawyer and politician who was active in the first half of the 20th century.
- Henri-Alexandre Lejeune: A French painter of the 19th century who specialized in landscapes.