Surname Prevost - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Origins and Lineage of Surname 'Prevost' Through the iGENEA DNA Test

As an individual intrigued by genealogy, I decided to take a DNA test with iGENEA. The technical aspects of the test were thorough, focusing on Y-DNA and mtDNA for high accuracy. The insights I gleaned, particularly regarding my surname "Prevost," shed light on my French origins and aided in tracing my paternal lineage back to the Middle Ages.

B. Prevost

Prevost: What does the surname Prevost mean?

The surname Prevost is of French origin and it essentially means "leader" or "superintendent." This name was often given to individuals who held such positions of leadership or governance during medieval times. Indeed, it's derived from the Old French term "prevost" (modern French "prévôt"), referring to a steward or a chief appointed to oversee certain matters in a town or a court setting. The term itself is believed to have roots in the Late Latin word "praepositus" meaning "placed before." Therefore, the name Prevost could reflect the profession or status of someone's ancestor. Like many surnames, it is likely that the name was adopted or passed down through generations to convey lineage or heritage.

Prevost: Where does the name Prevost come from?

The surname Prevost is most commonly found in France today. It is believed to have originated in northern France but spread throughout the country during the Middle Ages. The prevalence of the name is likely due to the popularity of the military name ‘Preveost’, which was used by commanders in the French army.

The name can also be found in other parts of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Additionally, there are significant numbers of Prevosts in former French colonies, such as Haiti and Louisiana in the United States. In Canada, Prevost is a common surname among French-Canadian families.

The number of people with the surname Prevost has exploded in recent years, with the US Census Bureau estimating that there are approximately 2,000 Prevosts living in the United States. The 2000 UK census revealed that the surname was quite rare in the UK, but this may have changed since then.

Overall, the name Prevost is most common in France, but it can also be found in other parts of Europe and among French-speaking populations outside of Europe. With French-speaking people all over the world, the surname Prevost has spread far and wide.

Variations of the surname Prevost

The surname Prevost is of French origin and is derived from the word prévôt, which is a French term for an official in a military organization or a town official. As a surname, it can be found in many different spellings and variants, including the following:

- Prevost

- Prevest

- Prevo

- Preveau

- Prevaux

- Preveaux

- Provost

- Provo

- Preaux

- Provoste

- Prevot

- Provoost

- Prevot

- Provosty

- Provostie.

In Anglo-Norman records, it is spelled as Preveost, Preveux, or Provoost, while in medieval records it appears as Preveus, Prevez, or Priveos. In some parts of Scotland, it is also written as Prevest or Prevett. Additionally, the French spelling of Provoust is commonly found in records.

Other variants of this surname can be found in various European countries, such as Previs (Spanish-Portuguese), Prevešić (Croatian), Provis (Italian), Provost (Dutch), Pruvost (German), and Prévot (Belgian).

The origin of this surname provides clues to the various regional variants. It is believed that in France, the surname Prevost was derived from provinces such as Normandie, Picardie, and Anjou. In Italy, it may have derived from the French word provoste, and in Spain, it could have come from the Latin word provostis. In Belgium, the Dutch spelling Provost may have derived from the Old French proeveost. In the UK, the surname is most likely derived from the Norman French language.

Famous people with the name Prevost

• Eric Prevost: Canadian chef and restaurateur.
• Sarah Prevost: Canadian lawyer and mediator.
• Francois Prevost: French classical music composer and teacher.
• Marcel Prevost: French novelist and playwright.
• Robert Prevost: Canadian businessman.
• Mitch Prevost: American professional cyclist.
• Madam Prevost: English poet and songwriter.
• Aimable Prevost: French-Canadian politician.
• Pierre-Jean de Béranger Prevost: French portraitist and fresco painter.
• Florence Prevost: French supermodel and actor.

Other surnames

PrevooPrévôt