Surname Reneau - Meaning and Origin
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Reneau: What does the surname Reneau mean?
The last name Reneau is derived from the Old French given name "Renel" which originated from the Latin name "Ranaldi". The name means "strong counsel" and has a connotation of wisdom and guidance that was historically associated with strength and honour.
The French spelling of Reneau is pronounced with two syllables, reh-neh-oh. It may be found in French history as far back as 1295AD in the chronicled record of Guyenne.
Reneau is associated with noble lineage, in particular with France’s Plantagenet dynasty. An article from the Plantagenet Alliance highlights that, "one of the earliest records of the name Reneau was that of Reneau de Salignac in Guyenne…who was recorded in the year 1295."
In the United States, the name Reneau is mainly found in the South and is often associated with French ancestry and the Creole culture of Cajun Louisiana. It is particularly associated with Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Virginia.
Today the name Reneau is found across the world. It is a reminder of a long and proud French heritage, but now it also carries with it the openness, versatility and adaptability of a modern and diverse global society.
Order DNA origin analysisReneau: Where does the name Reneau come from?
The last name Reneau can be found in many areas around the world today. Reneau is a French surname, and can be found in France in particular. According to Forebears, a genealogy research website, the surname's population is most concentrated in the French region of Île-de-France, where more than 24,000 people have the last name Reneau.
In the United States, some of the states where families with last name Reneau are most highly concentrated are Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. As in France, family crest records show that many of the families settled in the southern part of the country.
In Canada, the last name Reneau is common as well, with a greater population concentration in Quebec and Ontario. Records also suggest that much of the Canadian Reneau family originated from France.
In addition, many people around the world who have the last name Reneau, can trace their roots to England, the Netherlands, and Scotland. Interestingly, some of these families moved to the United States prior to settling elsewhere.
In sum, Reneau is a large, complex family of people with ties to many countries, having been both settlers and emigrants. Despite its dispersal, the name Reneau still remains a common last name in many places around the world today.
Variations of the surname Reneau
The surname Reneau is derived from two distinct geographical origins in France and Switzerland. Its French origin comes from the Old French word ‘reneau’, meaning a small stream or spring-fed watercourse. In French records, the spelling of the surname is mainly Reneau, Reineau, Reynaud, Reynauld, Rainaud, Rainauld and Renaux. Its Swiss origin is derived from the German ‘Renez’, meaning courageous or challenging, and in Switzerland the spelling variations are mainly Renez, Riaz and Renaud. It is also found in the Dutch form Rieno.
Reneau is a quite common surname in France, particularly in the Centre region where many variations are encountered. In Switzerland, it is most commonly seen in the Canton of Fribourg and the Canton of Valais. In the United States, the earliest recorded Reneaus were French Huguenots, and the spelling variations that are most popular today are Renoud and Renaud.
In Canada, bearers of the Reneau surname are mostly of French origin, with Renaud being the most common spelling. The United Kingdom is home to quite a few Renaults, with the earliest being Johannes Renault who was recorded as living in Little Plumstead, Norfolk, in 1573. The spelling variations of this surname found in the UK are Renault, Renaulte, Renaud, Reynaud, Reineau, Regulation and Rainey.
The surname Reneau is also found in other countries, including Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Australia, and each country has its own unique set of preferred spelling variations for this surname.
Famous people with the name Reneau
- Sabine Reneau: Extreme E rally driver
- Suzanne Reneau: Swiss-American long-distance runner
- Michael Reneau: American rockabilly singer
- Yulanda Reneau: Olympic female swimmer
- Kevin Reneau: Major League Soccer player
- LaNeace Reneau: Singer/songwriter/actress
- Leonard Reneau: Award-winning Blink-182 drummer
- Bryan Reneau: Professional MMA competitor
- Steve Reneau: Grammy-nominated composer
- Lionel Reneau: Renowned chef/restaurateur