Surname Lefebre - Meaning and Origin

Lefebre: What does the surname Lefebre mean?

The last name Lefebre is of French origin and is derived from the Old French words lef and evesque, which in turn are derived from the Latin term episcopus. In its original form, the name would have been “le feske” and was typically used to refer to someone who acted as a bishop or overseer in a village. As time went on and French spread across Europe, the name purged into various forms, such as Lefebvre, Lefebure, and Lefebvre, all of which bear strong resemblance to the original.

Today, Lefebre is an established surname in both English and French-speaking parts of the world. Its geographical distribution largely coincides with the far reaches of the former French domain, primarily in France and Canada, but also a handful of other countries throughout the Americas.

The family name offers several possible insights into the life of the bearers of the name. It suggests that their ancestors were homesites of some importance, either in positions of ecclesiastical leadership or as holders of land and other assets. This combined with a long and rich history associated with the name indicate that the Lefebres may have come from a once-prominent family in the area of their origin.

In many ways the last name Lefebre is intertwined with the grand sweep of French history responsible for it coming about in the first place. It is a name that holds both the weight of its original roots as well as the vibrant life that has grown out of this impressive lineage.

Lefebre: Where does the name Lefebre come from?

The last name Lefebre is most commonly found in Canada and France. In Canada, it is ranked as the 878th most common surname, with about 12,170 individuals bearing the name. The province where it is most commonly found is Quebec, however, it is also found in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. In France, the last name Lefebre is the 5,596th most common name, with approximately 2,776 individuals carrying the surname. It is most commonly found within the Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Maritime, Ille-Vilaine, and Mayenne départments.

The earliest record of the Lefebre name appears to have originated in Normandy, France in the early 17th century. It is thought to have been derived from the Latin name "Faber" which translates to "smith," as many records of individuals with the name refer to craftsmen such as smiths, farriers, or masons.

The Lefebre name has a long and varied history, from the small towns of France to the cities of Canada. Today, the Lefebre name can be found all around the world but is most commonly seen in the regions of Canada and France.

Variations of the surname Lefebre

The surname ‘Lefebre’ has many variants, spellings and surnames stemming from its same origin. These are: Lefebvre, LeFebvre, LeFever, Lefever, Lefévère, Lefevre, Lefèvre, Lefèvres, Lefevres, Lefevers, Léfebvre, Lefébvre, Lefevré, Léfévère, Lefévre, Léfevres, Léfevers, Lévefvre, Le Febvre, Le Fevre, Lefever and Le Fevre. It can also be found in various spelling and regional forms such as Le Febvrell, Pefever, Le Fever, Lafevre, LaFevre, LeFebhell, Lafebvre, LeFebere, LaFebere, LeFèbre, LaFèbre, Loufevre, Loufebvre, Lefevert, Lafever and Lefevert.

The surname Lefebre is derived from a Latin phrase 'faber', which means a hammer-smith or ironworker. It ultimately originates from Old French and is derived from the Latin 'fabrum', which means skilled worker. This surname was often used to describe the Ferrari/Smith family working in ironworks.

The connotation of the surname Lefebre may have been established by association with the workers and craftsmen who created their own tools and instruments from iron. This could account for the multiple variations and spellings that have emerged over time.

The spelling and pronunciation of the surname have evolved over the centuries due to its geographical spread and variation of regional languages, with some variations spread across France, Belgium, Canada and the US.

The surname has thus been used in many varied forms, and remains associated with the skilled artisans who worked for centuries down the generations.

Famous people with the name Lefebre

• Luke LeFebvre: Canadian actor known for his roles in the TV shows Too Close for Comfort, RoboCop: Prime Directives, and Super Kings.
• Pierre Lefebvre: Canadian professional hockey player. He was a long-time member of the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL.
• Fabiola LeFebvre: French alpine skier who won an Olympic silver medal in women's super-G at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
• Renée LeFebvre: French actress who starred in several French films and television dramas, including Amélie and Belle et Sébastien.
• Pipilotti Rist: Swiss video artist and musician who has been known to use the pseudonym "Lesebrille" or "Reading glasses" as an homage to her great-uncle, Pierre Lefebvre.
• Bruce LeFevre: Canadian politician, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
• Yann LeFèvre: French comic book artist, illustrator, and sculptor.
• Joris Lefebvre: French rugby player who signed up for Oyonnax, a current team in the Top 14. 9.Joseph-Saverne Lefebvre: French Canadian who was awarded the Legion of Honour after rescuing many sailors in a fire at sea.
• Catherine LeFebvre: French singer who performs chansons and opera, and is known as a coloratura soprano.

Other surnames

LefeberLefebvre