Surname Lanou - Meaning and Origin

Lanou: What does the surname Lanou mean?

The last name Lanou is of French origin and is derived from the Old French words 'lan,' meaning 'wool' and 'ou,' meaning 'land or region.' It is therefore likely that the name was given to a person from the region that was known for its wool production.

The roots of the name Lanou can be traced back to the 12th century, when it started to appear in charters and church records in Normandy, an area of France renowned for its production and trading of wool.

The surname Lanou can be found in different countries around the world, including France, the United States, Canada, and Australia, likely indicating that immigrants carrying the last name moved to these regions in the past.

Lanou is a popular name in France and is also a place name for several locations in the country. For example, there is a town called Lanouée located in Brittany, a region in western France. Additionally, there is a river named La Lanoue and a forest called La Lanoue Forest in the French region of Rhône-Alpes.

Overall, the last name Lanou can be traced to Norman settlements in the 12th century or earlier, likely indicating a connection to wool production or wool trade. It is also a popular name in France, and some locations in the country are named after it.

Lanou: Where does the name Lanou come from?

The last name Lanou is most commonly found today in France, Benin, and the Dominican Republic. It is believed to have originated in France, where it is most strongly concentrated, but its spread is likely due to French colonial activity in the 17th and 18th centuries.

In France, the name is most common in Brittany, where it is believed to have originated, although it is found elsewhere in the country as well. In Benin, which was a French colony until 1960, the name is derived from a French version of the traditional African name "Lano." In the Dominican Republic, the name is believed to be a variation of the Spanish surname "Lanoza," which was brought there during the colonial period.

The name Lanou may also be found in small numbers among people of French and Spanish heritage in North and South America, as well as among ethnic French populations in Switzerland and other parts of Europe.

Overall, the last name Lanou is not overwhelmingly common, but can be found in various parts of the world, mostly due to the movements of French people in the colonial era.

Variations of the surname Lanou

The surname Lanou is of French origin and has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname Lanou include Lanoux, Lanous, Lanoux, Lanoe, and Lanoue.

Spelling variations of the surname Lanou include Lancou, Lancox, Lanoke, and Lanocque.

Surnames of the same origin as Lanou include Lano, Lanoey, Lanerry, Lanery, and Lanoy.

The surname Lanou is a habitational name derived from the hamlet of Lano in the Lot-et-Garonne region of France. The surname could also be derived from the Spanish personal name Lanzo, which is derived from the Old German name Lando, meaning land or country.

The name may also have been brought to France through Spanish colonization in the south of France.

In the United States, spelling variations of the surname Lanou have been found in Louisiana. The spelling variations are phonetically adapted in regions of Louisiana to follow the local pronunciation, and include Lanoux, Lanous, and Lanoe.

Historically, the name was anglicized to sound like land or land did, likely due to common misconception of the origin of the name deriving from the word land.

The surname is most commonly found in France, Canada, and the United States, as well as other countries including France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.

Famous people with the name Lanou

• Mike Lanou: Former professional basketball player who played for the Charlotte Bobcats in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
• George Lanou: Choreographer and artistic director who worked with various production companies and theater organizations.
• Wendy Lanou: Singer and songwriter best known for her singing and recording career.
• Rob Lanou: Film director and producer who produced and directed the 2017 horror film, “We Are What We Are”.
• Bill Lanou: Professional photographer who has earned accolades for his work which has been featured in international publications.
• Mark Lanou: Comedian and actor best known for his character work and stand-up routine in “The Big Gay Sketch Show”.
• Melinda Lanou: Fashion designer and entrepreneur who has designed for some of the most popular high-end fashion labels.
• Frank Lanou: Former Lead Vocalist of the band “Voices of Theory”.
• Marie Lanou: Award-winning jewelry designer and artist who has exhibited her work in dozens of galleries throughout the world.
• Amy Lanou: Entrepreneur and business consultant who is the founder and CEO of the online community “The Business Moms”.

Other surnames

LanoLanoy