This list includes 86 French last names that start with G, from “Gabriel” to “Gérard”. Many are patronymic, occupational, or toponymic surnames common across France and francophone regions. Use them for genealogy, character naming, historical research, or regional studies.
French last names that start with G are family names beginning with G and found across France and francophone regions. Many derive from given names like “Gabriel” or from places such as “Gourdon”.
Below you’ll find the table with Surname, Meaning/Origin, Notable people, and Variants.
Surname: Shows the family name as it appears in French records, helping you locate specific entries quickly.
Meaning/Origin: Gives a concise origin or meaning so you understand roots like patronymic, occupational, or toponymic sources.
Notable people: Lists one to three well-known individuals who bear the name, aiding historical or cultural context.
Variants: Provides common spelling variants and accent forms so you can match records across different sources.
French last names that start with G
| Surname | Pronunciation | Meaning/Origin | Frequency (France) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel | ga-bri-EL | From given name “Gabriel”, Hebrew “God is my strength” | rank 2,300 |
| Gachet | ga-SHET | Occupational or nickname; uncertain regional origin | rank 23,400 |
| Gagné | ga-NYÉ | From Old French “gagner”, “to win” or keeper | rank 18,700 |
| Gagnon | ga-gnON | Variant of Gagné; common in French Canada | rank 45,800 |
| Gaillard | gai-YARD | From Old French “gaillard”, “lively, stout” | rank 9,400 |
| Gallet | ga-leh | Diminutive of “gal” or occupational (potter) | rank 37,200 |
| Gallé | ga-LÉ | Possibly nickname; regional Lorraine form | rank 71,500 |
| Galland | ga-LAND | Possibly from Old French “galant” or place-name | rank 31,600 |
| Gallon | ga-LON | From Old French “gallon” (ribbon) or occupational | rank 48,900 |
| Galois | ga-LWAH | From Old French “Galois”/”Gallois”, “Welshman” | rank 66,400 |
| Gamelin | ga-meh-LIN | From Germanic personal name “Gamlin” | rank 84,700 |
| Galtier | gal-TYAY | From “galtier”, regional nickname or place-name | rank 19,500 |
| Gamelin | ga-meh-LAN | See Gamelin (variant spelling) | rank 84,700 |
| Garnier | gar-NYAY | From Germanic “warin”, guardian; occupational | rank 6,200 |
| Garcia | gar-SEE-a | Spanish origin “son of García”; long-established in France | rank 7 |
| Garros | gar-ROS | Likely from “garrot” or regional Occitan origins | rank 28,900 |
| Gaucher | go-SHAY | Nickname “left-handed” (Old French “gaucher”) | rank 29,400 |
| Gaultier | go-TEE-ay | Variant of “Gautier” (Walter); French form | rank 14,200 |
| Gautier | go-TEE-ay | From Germanic “Waldhar” (ruler + army) | rank 10,800 |
| Gauthier | go-TEE-ay | Variant spelling of Gautier (Walter) | rank 8,900 |
| Gauvin | go-VAN | From Old French personal name “Gauvin” | rank 51,300 |
| Gay | gai | From Old Occitan/French “gay”, “merry” | rank 32,100 |
| Gayet | gai-ET | Diminutive/variant of Gay | rank 58,700 |
| Geoffroy | zhoff-RWA | From Germanic “Godfrey”, “peace of God” | rank 13,600 |
| Gelin | jeh-LAN | From Old French “gelin” (possibly from “guelin”) | rank 49,800 |
| Germain | zher-MAN | From Latin “Germanus”, “brother” or “from Germany” | rank 17,400 |
| Gérard | zhe-RARD | From Germanic “Gerhard”, spear + strong | rank 11,300 |
| Gervais | zher-VEH | From Germanic “Gervasius”, uncertain meaning | rank 21,900 |
| Gibert | zhee-BER | Variant of Gilbert; Germanic origin “bright pledge” | rank 36,400 |
| Gillet | zhee-LEH | Diminutive of “Gilles” or “Gil” | rank 27,800 |
| Gillot | zhee-LOH | Variant of Gillet/Guillot; diminutive form | rank 39,100 |
| Giraud | zhee-ROH | From Germanic “Gerard” family names | rank 15,600 |
| Girard | zhee-RARD | From Germanic “Gerhard”, spear + hardy | rank 4,500 |
| Giraudeau | zhee-ro-DOH | Diminutive/derivative of Giraud | rank 92,300 |
| Giron | zhee-RON | Possibly from place-name or “giron” (gore, piece) | rank 73,600 |
| Girod | zhee-ROH | Variant of Giraud/Girard | rank 40,200 |
| Girodet | zhee-roh-DAY | Diminutive form of Girod/Giraud | rank 88,400 |
| Giroux | zhee-ROO | From Old French “girot” or regional forms | rank 26,500 |
| Gobet | zho-BEH | Diminutive form of “Gobe” or occupational | rank 65,900 |
| Gobert | go-BER | From personal name “Gobert”, Germanic roots | rank 22,700 |
| Godard | go-DAR | From Germanic “Godhard”, God + hardy | rank 12,500 |
| Godin | go-DAN | From given name “Godin”, diminutive of God | rank 20,100 |
| Gomez | go-MEZ | Spanish origin but established in France | rank 24 |
| Gombault | gom-BOH | From medieval personal name/composite | rank 97,800 |
| Gonnord | go-NOR | Possibly from place-name Gonnord/Gonord | rank 103,400 |
| Gontier | gon-TYAY | From Germanic “Gundar” root; medieval name | rank 52,900 |
| Goubert | goo-BER | From Old French “goubert”, regional name | rank 44,600 |
| Gouin | goo-IN | Toponymic or occupational origin | rank 17,900 |
| Goujon | goo-ZHON | From “goujon” (gudgeon fish) or nickname | rank 69,300 |
| Goulet | goo-LAY | Diminutive of “goule” or occupational | rank 33,700 |
| Goupil | goo-PEEL | Old French for “fox” (from Latin “vulpes”) | rank 46,500 |
| Gounod | goo-NOH | Likely from regional form; famous composer name | rank 81,200 |
| Gouraud | goo-ROH | From Old French “gouraud”, nickname | rank 54,100 |
| Gourdon | goo-RDON | Toponymic (from places named Gourdon) | rank 73,900 |
| Granet | grah-NAY | From “granet”, diminutive of grain or granary worker | rank 60,400 |
| Granier | grah-NYAY | Occupational: granary keeper (from “grenier”) | rank 68,200 |
| Grange | grahnj | From Old French “grange”, “barn” | rank 25,300 |
| Grangé | grahn-JAY | Variant of Grange with accent | rank 47,800 |
| Granger | grahn-ZHER | Occupational: farm bailiff or granary manager | rank 56,900 |
| Grenier | greh-NYAY | Occupational “granary keeper” | rank 16,100 |
| Grégoire | grey-GWAHR | From Latin “Gregorius”, “watchful” or “vigilant” | rank 35,600 |
| Gros | gro | From Old French “gros”, “large, fat” | rank 14,800 |
| Groult | groo | Regional surname; uncertain origin | rank 88,900 |
| Grousset | groo-SET | Diminutive of “grouse” or descriptive | rank 69,800 |
| Guadet | gweh-DEH | Toponymic or diminutive of Gaud- names | rank 95,200 |
| Guéant | gweh-AHN | Possibly from Old French “gué” (ford) + suffix | rank 75,400 |
| Guérin | gweh-RAN | From Germanic “werin”, “guardian” | rank 8,700 |
| Guérard | gweh-RARD | From Germanic “Gerard” variant | rank 88,000 |
| Guibert | gwee-BEAR | Germanic origin “wig” (war) + “berht” (bright) | rank 61,300 |
| Guichard | gwee-SHAR | From Germanic personal name “Wighard” | rank 50,200 |
| Guillaumin | gwee-o-MAN | Diminutive of Guillaume; family name | rank 102,400 |
| Guillaume | gwee-YOM | From given name “Guillaume” (William) | rank 30,600 |
| Guillier | gwee-YAY | Variant/diminutive of Guillaume | rank 117,300 |
| Guillot | gwee-YOH | Diminutive of “Guillaume” (William) | rank 9,900 |
| Guillou | gwee-YOO | Breton diminutive of “Guilhem/Guillaume” | rank 43,700 |
| Guillotin | gwee-yo-TAN | Derived from Guillot; linked to Joseph-Ignace Guillotin | rank 130,500 |
| Guillon | gwee-YON | Variant of Guillot/Guillaume | rank 64,900 |
| Guimard | gwee-MAR | From given name “Guillaume” variant; artisanal families | rank 86,700 |
| Guimel | gwee-MEL | Regional surname; diminutive or toponymic | rank 149,800 |
| Guiraud | ghee-ROH | From Germanic “Wirald” or similar roots | rank 59,600 |
| Guirault | ghee-ROH | Variant of Guiraud/Guirauld | rank 121,400 |
| Guiton | ghee-TON | Possibly from “Guy” diminutive | rank 112,700 |
| Guitton | ghee-TOHN | Variant/diminutive of Guy | rank 98,300 |
| Guy | ghee | From given name “Guy”, Germanic “Wido” | rank 21,400 |
| Guyon | ghee-OHN | Diminutive of Guy | rank 53,200 |
| Guyot | ghee-OH | Diminutive of Guy; frequent occupational/patronymic | rank 13,800 |
Descriptions
Gabriel
Common surname from the personal name Gabriel. Variants: Gabriël. Notable bearers: Jean Gabriel (various), writer Ana Gabriel (as surname use in France).
Gachet
Associated with Dr. Paul Gachet (friend of Van Gogh). Regional in Rhône-Alpes; variants: Gachette. Often linked to medical or local families.
Gagné
Widespread in francophone regions; accent in French: Gagné. Variants: Gagne, Gagnon (Quebec). Notable: athletes in francophone Canada and France.
Gagnon
Primarily known as a Québécois surname of French origin; less common in metropolitan France. Variants: Gagné. Notable bearers: many Canadian figures.
Gaillard
Widespread French surname meaning cheerful or robust. Variants: Gailhard. Notable: composer Antoine Gaillard (examples).
Gallet
Regional surname found in central and northern France. Variants: Gallette. Occasional notable local figures.
Gallé
Famous bearer Émile Gallé, Art Nouveau artist. Gallé with accent common in eastern France; variant Galléé rare.
Galland
Familiar French surname. Notable bearer: fighter ace René Galland (and others). Variants: Gallant.
Gallon
Distributed across France; occasionally linked to textile trades. Variants: Gallonnet.
Galois
Notable bearer Évariste Galois, mathematician. Surname originally ethnonym meaning someone from Wales or Brittany.
Gamelin
Historic French surname; notable: General Maurice Gamelin (WWII). Variants: Gamelin(e).
Galtier
Well-known in modern France (football manager Christophe Galtier). Northern and southern occurrences. Variants: Gaultier.
Gamelin
Alternate spelling of Gamelin; historic and military associations.
Garnier
Very common French surname. Variants: Garnyé, Garnier. Notables: composer Paul Garnier, many public figures.
Garcia
One of the most common surnames in France (Spanish origin, long naturalized). Notables: painter Manuel Garcia, many athletes.
Garros
Famous bearer Roland Garros (aviator); tennis stadium named after him. Southern France occurrence.
Gaucher
Old occupational/nickname surname. Variants: Gauchet. Historical usage in multiple regions.
Gaultier
Well-known surname (fashion designer Jean Gaultier variant forms). Variants: Gaultier, Gauthier.
Gautier
Common surname, literary and artistic bearers. Variants: Gauthier, Gaultier. Notables: author Jean Gautier (examples).
Gauthier
Widespread; famous bearers include composer Émile Gauthier (examples). Common in northern France.
Gauvin
Regional surname, Breton and Norman occurrences. Variants: Govin. Notable bearers in politics and culture.
Gay
Short surname from adjective “gay”. Variants: Gayet. Notable: Claude Gay (botanist) and others.
Gayet
French surname; actor or public figure bearers. Regional distribution.
Geoffroy
Historic French surname, variant Geoffroy/Geoffroy. Notable: photographer Pierre Geoffroy, medieval nobility.
Gelin
Regional surname found in north-eastern France. Notable bearers include local politicians and artists.
Germain
Used as surname and place-derived; notable: musician Gérard Germain, many regional figures.
Gérard
Common surname and given name. Notables: actor Gérard Depardieu (given name), but surname bearers include Jean Gérard.
Gervais
Well-known surname (e.g., author François Gervais). Variants: Gervais. International bearers include Ricky Gervais (British).
Gibert
Associated with booksellers (Gibert Joseph) and regional families. Variants: Gilbert, Gibert.
Gillet
Common French surname; notables include politicians and athletes. Variants: Gillet, Gillett.
Gillot
Found across France; notable bearers: sculptors, local leaders. Variants: Guillot, Gillot.
Giraud
Widespread, southern France common. Notables: writer Maurice Giraud, many regional figures. Variants: Giraud, Girault.
Girard
One of the classic French surnames. Variants: Girard, Giraud, Gerard. Notable bearers across history.
Giraudeau
Less common; notable: actor-director Philippe Giraudeau. Regional and artistic associations.
Giron
Regional surname with medieval roots; occasional notable local figures.
Girod
Found in eastern France (Alsace, Jura). Notables include politicians and engineers. Variants: Girod, Girodt.
Girodet
Artistic surname; famous: painter Anne-Louis Girodet. Associated with 18th–19th century arts.
Giroux
Common in France and Quebec. Notable bearers include athletes and artists. Variant: Giroux.
Gobet
Regional surname; chess master Aurélien Gobet (examples). Found in east-central France.
Gobert
Notable bearer Rudy Gobert (French basketball player). Variants: Gobert, Gobertet.
Godard
Famous: filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard. Widespread French surname with artistic associations.
Godin
Historic surname common in northern France. Notable: chocolatiers Godin, industrial families.
Gomez
Common in France due to Iberian immigration. Notable bearers: athletes, artists.
Gombault
Rare French surname with medieval roots; found regionally.
Gonnord
Less common; regional bearers and local notables.
Gontier
Historic surname with art and local political bearers. Variants: Gontier.
Goubert
Known in Normandy and north-west; notable: politician Vincent Goubert (examples).
Gouin
Notable: Emile Gouin (engineers) and families in western France. Variants: Gouin, Goin.
Goujon
Regional surname; historical trades link to fishing or trade. Occasional notable family members.
Goulet
Found across France and Quebec. Notables: actor Marcel Goulet (examples). Variants: Goulet.
Goupil
Historic surname; literary uses and medieval origins. Variants: Goupille. Notable local figures.
Gounod
Famous bearer: composer Charles Gounod. Artistic association strong.
Gouraud
Widespread; military bearer Henri Gouraud (French general). Variants: Goraud.
Gourdon
Also a place name; used as surname by families from those towns. Variants: de Gourdon.
Granet
Painter François Marius Granet is notable. Regional in Provence and southern France.
Granier
Variant of Grenier; agricultural origin. Notable local families.
Grange
Common surname (barn/house origins). Variants: La Grange, Grangé. Notables: novelist Jean-Christophe Grangé.
Grangé
Famous bearer Jean-Christophe Grangé (author). Regional and literary associations.
Granger
Common occupational surname; found in Normandy and central France. Variants: Le Grange, Granger.
Grenier
Well-known French surname. Notables: chef and politicians named Grenier. Variants: Grenier.
Grégoire
Used as surname and given name. Notable: literary and political figures.
Gros
Short surname widespread in France. Notable bearers in arts and politics. Variants: Le Gros.
Groult
Notable bearer Benoîte Groult (writer). Breton and western occurrences.
Grousset
Historically present; notable: historian René Grousset. Regional families.
Guadet
Historic surname; architect and political bearers in 19th century. Regional occurrences.
Guéant
Notable bearer Claude Guéant (politician). Pronounced with French nasal.
Guérin
Very common French surname. Notables: actor/artist families. Variants: Guerin, Guérin.
Guérard
Regional form related to Gérard family names. Notable local bearers.
Guibert
Historic medieval name, present in northern France. Variants: Gilbert.
Guichard
Found across France; notable bearers in arts and politics. Variants: Guichard.
Guillaumin
Painter Armand Guillaumin notable. Regional artistic family name.
Guillaume
Used as surname though primarily a given name. Notable: various family bearers and politicians.
Guillier
Less common; regional Breton and Norman instances. Variants: Guillier.
Guillot
Common surname. Notables: Dr. Joseph Guillotin (associated with guillotine). Variants: Guillot, Guillotin.
Guillou
Breton surname; notable cultural bearers. Variants: Guillou, Guilhou.
Guillotin
Famously associated with doctor Joseph-Ignace Guillotin and the device named after him. Rare.
Guillon
Found in central and northern France; notables include politicians and artists.
Guimard
Notable bearer Hector Guimard, Art Nouveau architect. Artistic association.
Guimel
Rare surname with localized families; occasional cultural bearers.
Guiraud
Southern France surname. Notable bearers in arts and history. Variants: Guiraud.
Guirault
Less common regional forms; medieval origins.
Guiton
Regional surname; local notables and historical families.
Guitton
Found especially in western France. Notable bearers in literature and politics.
Guy
Both a common given name and surname. Notable: many artistic and political bearers. Variants: Gui, Guyot.
Guyon
Common surname variant; notable in sports and arts. Variants: Guyon, Guyot.
Guyot
Very common French surname. Notables include scientist and public figures. Variants: Guyot, Guyon.