852+ Breton Last Names: Unraveling Their Unique Origins

Breton’s last name come from Brittany, France, and show the area’s Celtic roots. These names make people feel proud of their Breton heritage.

Some names have “Le” or “La,” meaning “the” in Breton, showing ties to certain places or traits. Many surnames also connect to the sea, reflecting Brittany’s history with the ocean.

Whether old or new, Breton’s last names capture the unique culture of the region within the larger French picture.

Top Breton Last Names

Top Breton last names often reflect the region’s rich Celtic heritage. Common surnames include Le Roux, meaning “the red,” emphasizing a connection to red hair; Le Goff, a name linked to the historical Breton name Yann Gozh, meaning “Old John”; and Le Gall, suggesting a familial association with Gauls or Celts.

Breton’s Last Names and Meanings

Breton last names, rooted in Brittany’s Celtic heritage, often reflect the region’s rich history and geography. Common surnames like Le Roux (the red), Le Goff (the blacksmith), and Le Gall (the Gaul) provide glimpses into familial trades or physical attributes, preserving Brittany’s cultural tapestry through generations.

Last Name	Meaning
Le Roux	The Red
Le Goff	The Blacksmith
Le Gall	The Gaul
Le Roy	The King
Le Corre	The Short
Le Ny	The New
Le Floch	The Breton
Le Moal	The Bald
Le Bras	The Arm
Le Berre	The Drinker
Le Bihan	The Small House
Le Meur	The Mayor
Le Du	The Black
Le Floc’h	The Heath
Le Hir	The Long
Le Borgne	The One-Eyed
Le Pape	The Pope
Le Strat	The Street
Le Jeune	The Young
Le Bail	The Handsome

Breton Last Name Origin

Breton last names typically originate from the Brittany region in northwest France. Rooted in Celtic culture, these surnames often reflect geographic features, occupations, or personal characteristics. Examples include Le Roux (the red), Le Goff (the smith), and Le Breton (the Breton). They carry a rich cultural legacy within French ancestry.

Popular Breton Family Last Names

Popular Breton family last names include Le Roux, Le Goff, Le Gall, and Le Bris. These surnames often reflect the region’s maritime and Celtic heritage. The Breton people, with a rich cultural history, have passed down these family names through generations, contributing to the unique tapestry of Brittany’s identity.

Unique Breton Surnames

Breton surnames exhibit a distinctive charm, reflecting the region’s Celtic heritage. Common prefixes like “Le” and “Ker” denote familial ties or location. Noteworthy examples include Le Goff, Le Bihan, and Kerneis. These unique surnames evoke the rich cultural tapestry of Brittany, adding a touch of history to personal identities.

Famous Breton Skyrim Names

In the vast realm of Skyrim, Bretons, with their magical prowess, boast names that resonate with mystique and power. Renowned Breton figures like Arzhela Direnni and Thibaut Black-Wind echo through the land, their names invoking a legacy of enchantment and resilience, etching their tales into the annals of Skyrim’s history.

Common French Surnames

Common French surnames often reflect the country’s rich history and regional diversity. Names like Martin, Dubois, and Leroy are widespread, while regional variations include Lefèvre in the north and Bernard in the south. These surnames often carry cultural significance, tracing their roots through generations in France’s vibrant tapestry of heritage.

Martin	Lefèvre
Dubois	Leroy
Laurent	Moreau
Lambert	Girard
Bonnet	Roux
Fontaine	Robin
Gauthier	Gérard
Chevalier	Renault
Lemoine	Lucas
Vidal	Rolland
Faure	Picard
Leclerc	Reynard
Perrin	Duval
Olivier	Bernard
Rousseau	Mathieu
Noel	Lucas
Lefevre	Martinez
Guillaume	Philippe
Le Gall	Lecomte
Faure	Vincent
Masson	Rousseau
Roger	Mercier
Leroux	Blanc
Arnaud	Nicolas
Renault	Julien
Lucas	Gerard
Marchand	Dupont
Guerin	Lambert
Duval	Barbier
Fernandez	Caron
Renard	Michel
Noel	Lebrun
Giraud	Durand
Petit	Leroux
Vasseur	Guillaume
Bernard	Roche
Gallet	Perrin
Adam	Rolland
Rousseau	Lambert
Caron	Giraud
Duval	Lefevre
Maillard	Olivier
Robert	Gauthier
Barre	Joly
Carre	Mercier
Pierre	Denis
Hubert	Roche
Blanchard	Denis
Fournier	Joubert
Roche	Simon
Germain	Dupuis
Michel	Lemoine
Lefevre	Laurent
Simon	Hubert

Powerful Breton Last Names

Breton last names exude strength and heritage. Surnames like Le Roux, meaning “The Red,” evoke a vivid history, possibly rooted in the region’s Celtic origins. Names such as Le Gall, emphasizing valor, reflect the resilience and pride of Breton culture. These powerful last names encapsulate a rich tapestry of tradition and character.

Cool Breton Last Names

Although the Bretons are residents of France, they have successfully managed to retain their own distinctive culture. They are known for their traditional costumes worn at festivals.

The dresses include waistcoats and short jackets for men while the women wear a notable headgear called Coiffe.

Bretons have amazing fashion sense indeed. Hence, they deserve some cool last names. Check them out below.

Martin- the God of War

Pritchard- son of Richard

Vass- a servant; refers to death

Gale- Geese

Reid- red colour

Edwards- the guardian who is rich

Cummins- do you have a crooked body

Falconer- one who trains hawks

Fitzgerald- son of Gerald

Forbes- a large field; a district

Cadwalader

Bowen

MacRae

Bliven

Arter

Cummins

Griffiths

Algee

Gatt 

Bradigan

Glynn

Berne

Beary

Bannerman 

Hamill

MacAskill

Avery

MacGriogair

Bovaird

Griff

Keogh

Hutcheson

Conway

Glas

Ard

Bagley

Cotter

Esplin

Barron

Bellis

Abraham

Bower 

Irving 

Banahan

Edris

Ballentine

Hassan 

Birns

Bodkin

Greig 

Binnion

Campbell 

Dacus

Bivin

Belling

Dewey

Bogue

Aylward

Cloyd

Berne

Currie 

Elder 

Fiddes

Cowie 

Bennion

Carnegie 

Guild

Mac Suibhne

Crosby 

Baines

Glasgow 

Forrest 

Carrigan

Boyack

Blakely 

Athy

Mackle

Bailie

Bryn

Cameron 

Baskin

Buist

Furgeson

Been

Evan

Aird

Combe 

Anderson

Jameson 

Glover 

Bonner

Bugh

Archer

Ahern

Banfill

Clyne 

Bethel

Corbett

Bardeen

FUN FACT: The surname Howell was created to honour a Welsh king in the 10th century. This surname is used in Brittany, as the Bretons are related to the Welsh. 

Catchy Breton Last Names

Bretons are known for their popular festivals such as Fest-noz, which was officially recognised by UNESCO in 2012. They are also talented musicians and amazing dancers; they have invented their traditional dance steps called an dro, gavottes and others.

For such people who are bursting with talent, they deserve some catchy surnames.

Farrell- a strong warrior

Craig- a cliff

Thomas- twin

Findlay- the hero

Allaway- a wild field

Robertson- son of Robert

Hunter- the child of a hunter

Cameron- one who has a crooked face

Gordon- a large building

Ellis- to be kind

Limond

Bithell

Barry

Larry

Bald

Beddoe

MacCrimmon

Bragan

Ferguson 

Brady

Berkery

Blake

Brydone

Aikenhead

Angus

Brennan

Auchinleck 

Abernathy

Bethell

Hood 

MacLellan 

Comyn 

MacInnes

Devonald

Brown 

Barclay 

Boal

Frazier

Baughn

Brady

Addie

Caldwell 

Keillor

Ashe

Greenway

Christie 

Atchinson

Firth

Barlas

Conner

Alway

Bilbo

Bermingham

Boyce

Faal 

Cadwalader

Bach

Fishwick 

Elijah

Allan 

Cruikshank

Curry 

Donaldson

Bloyd

Bay

Cadwallader

Laing 

Cecil

Baird 

Barrie

Balyney

Blood

Boggan

Lawhead

Carmichael 

Arnot

Laird 

Bowie 

Ardrey

Dew

Curtis

Brackin

Baggott

Bain

Evans

Agan

Braden

Gethin

Boden

Ahearn

Hamilton 

Gloag

Mar 

Adan

Macbeth 

Aitken 

Bogan

Aulds

Addison

FUN FACT: Kerjean is a well-known surname in Brittany. The Bretons often follow a specific format when it comes to creating surnames. They often add the prefix “Ker” to the word. Ker means a house. Thus, Kerjean means the house of John. 

Best Breton Last Names

Bretons were known for their agricultural skills. After surviving huge losses during the 2 world wars, the Bretons decided to develop in the field of agriculture.

As a result, Brittany became one of the leading agricultural regions in France and a major exporter of agricultural products. Here is a list of some of the best Breton last names for you. 

O’Sullivan-descendant of king Cashel

Bowie- refers to the yellow colour; one whose complexion is fair

John- one who has the grace of God

Gallacher- to take the help of a foreigner

Macanroy- the son of a red-haired man

Meredith- one who protects the sea

Shaw- one who resides near a corpse

Willaimson- son of William

Donaldson- child of Donald

Murphy- a strong man in Leinster

Kerber 

Bridges 

Albany

Cussen

Gettings

Gittings

Kerr 

Kaley

Bannan

Aye

Beddow

Bergin

Duncan 

Benbow

Boyle

Coogan

Atkinson

Faughn

Mac Ruaidhrí

Barr 

Floyd

Arther

Bonfield

Balfour 

Aiton

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Basnett

Baron

Bell 

Cone

Boyd 

Aitken

Keith 

Aikens

Duguid

Carmody

Balch

Allan

Alter

Hercus

Ashe

Conroy

FUN FACT:  The surname O’Brian honors Brian Boru, the 10th-century monarch of Ireland. One of the oldest families in Ireland has possessed this last name for centuries.

Amazing Breton Last Names

We cannot finish mentioning the numerous skills that the Bretons have. Apart from excelling in agricultural skills, they are efficient in woodworking, although it is affected by the introduction of machines.

If you are looking for some amazing surnames, check out the list below. You won’t be disappointed. 

Burns- a house which is burnt; an waterbody

Stewart- the official caretaker of the royal household

Clark- a priest

Byrne- a raven

MacGavin- son of the blacksmith

Aird- a Welsh

Howell- an eminent person

Wallace- a foreigner; a Welsh

Kelly- a piece of wood

Duff- dark

Blackie 

Boden

Corrigan

Berry

Bane

Argue

Bellis

MacNicol

Evanson

Breslin

Barfoot

Brophy

Alexander

Loar

Harvie

Abernethy

Dee

Cronin

Bathgate

Gardyne

Abernethy 

Aikin

Bass

Davidson 

Beavin

Henderson 

Arbuckle

Armstrong

Griffin

Brannon

Atwood

MacArthur 

Brain

Brannon

Cummings

Bunner

Atchison

Blake

Bagwell

Arnott 

Bohannan

Bonar

Beolan

Anderson 

Boland

Barbour

Boylan

Gilmore 

Cockburn 

Ard 

Gourlay

Aherne

Anglin

Imra

Bresnahan

Bannon

Barland

Baillie

Bole

Baldwin

Carty

Beavin

Arnott

Mac Somhairle

Arnott

Days

Beams

Atkins

Boyle

Bains

Banfield

Adam

Alcorn

Acuffe

Clancy

Beers

Callinan

Auchmuty

Burns

Cowan 

Argyle

Angus

Auchincloss

Buell

Findlay 

Annand

Geddes 

Galbraith

Aitkens

FUN FACT: Murray is not only a surname used by the Bretons or any other people all over the world. This last name was created in Scotland, to represent the relationship between Ireland and Scotland

Awesome Breton Last Names

Did you know that the Bretons are also known for their folklore and superstitions? Many of their myths are centralised on Ankou- who is the representative of death.

While weird superstitions exist on one side, that does not decrease or affect their never-ending abilities. They also excel in water sports like deep-sea fishing and skin diving. 

O’Reilly- the descendant of Reilly

Quinn- the chief

Shea- to be majestic

MacNally- a wise man

Calhoun- corner; nook

O’Connor- the grandson of Connor

Campbell- someone having a wry mouth

Ferguson- the child of the angry man

Morgan- refers to the white sea

Brodie- please which is full of mud

Glasscock

Bell

Art

Dalziel

Dargie

Atcheson

Erwood

Brannigan

Gunn 

Beveridge

Carey

Callum

MacIvor 

Cusack

Beddoe

Barrack

Barrington

Carney

Boyles

Casey

Bowden

Forbes 

Bethune 

Bennion

Baldy

Allum

Beirne

Esau

Caulfield

Cohan

Bigley

Bradeen

Lobban

Annand

Clunn

Flint

Astley

Adee

Bannister

Finn 

Bannon

Aden

MacEachainn

Geddings

Cox

MacLeòid

Annan

Armour

Beirne

Cashion

MacLeod

Gilzean

Finley 

Ables

Bradley

Donelson 

Braden

Balderston

Byrne

Blaney

Macpherson

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Dacus

Beynon

Baird

Dowie

Caddell

Gilchrist 

Boran

Anwyl

Aday

Bradley

Canavan

Hall 

Banwell

Bird

Carew

Armour 

Armstrong 

Haliburton

Mavis

Boreen

Beegan

Fraser 

Brice

Farquhar

Ardis

Brahney

Binion

FUN FACT:  Campbell is known to be a Scottish surname. Scotland is famous for clans. The Scottish have enormous pride in their clans. Did you know that the Campbell surname developed from a clan of the same name, and they were one of the most powerful clans in the highland?

Conclusion

Breton last names tell the story of Brittany’s diverse history. From ancient Celtic origins to medieval blends, these surnames carry the region’s unique heritage. They’re like linguistic time capsules, passing down the rich traditions and stories of Brittany from one generation to the next.

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