This list includes 27 French last names that start with H, from “Habert” to “Héroux”. They often derive from occupations, place names, or old regional words, showing shared cultural patterns. You can use this list for genealogy searches, character naming, family history, or cultural study.
French last names that start with H are family names beginning with the letter H in France and francophone regions. Many reflect medieval occupations or local geography; for example, “Habert” appears in Normandy records and “Héroux” is common in Quebec.
Below you’ll find the table with Surname, Meaning/Origin, and Notable people.
Surname: The family name as written, including accents and diacritics, so you can find exact spellings quickly.
Meaning/Origin: A concise note on linguistic roots or origin that helps you understand historical context and likely geographic ties.
Notable people: One to three notable bearers listed so you can connect the surname to historical or cultural figures.
French last names that start with H
| Surname | Meaning/Origin | Variants | Frequency (France) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habert | From Old French personal name Habert (Germanic) | Habert | unknown |
| Hachette | Occupational/derived name; publishing family name | Hachette | unknown |
| Hamelin | Diminutive/toponymic from Hamel (homestead) | Hamelin,Hamel | unknown |
| Hamon | Breton form from Germanic Haimo (home) | Hamon,Hamonet | unknown |
| Hanot | Regional occupational or nickname origin (northern France) | Hanot | unknown |
| Haroche | From Germanic personal names (Haro/Harold) | Haroche | unknown |
| Hébert | From Germanic Herbert (army + bright); Norman origin | Hebert,Hébert | unknown |
| Hénon | From old personal name Heno or toponymic forms | Henon,Hénon | unknown |
| Henry | From Germanic Heinrich (home + ruler) | Henri,Henry | unknown |
| Herbin | From Germanic personal name (Heribert/Herbert) | Herbin | unknown |
| Hérold | From Germanic elements hari (army) + wald (rule) | Herold,Hérold | unknown |
| Héroux | Possibly from a diminutive or place-name; common in Quebec | Heroux,Héroux | unknown |
| Higelin | From Germanic personal name Higelin/Higelinus | Higelin | unknown |
| Hillairet | Toponymic, from locale names in France | Hillairet | unknown |
| Hoche | From Germanic personal name Hoche/Hoch | Hoche | unknown |
| Hoarau | Réunionnais surname (Indian Ocean/Mauritian links) | Hoarau | unknown |
| Houdin | Toponymic or variant related to Houdon | Houdin | unknown |
| Houdon | Toponymic from places named Houdon | Houdon | unknown |
| Houde | Derived from Old French forms (regional); common in Québec | Houde | unknown |
| Houellebecq | Modern literary name, likely place-derived pen-name | Houellebecq | unknown |
| Huet | Diminutive of Hugh/Hugo (Germanic personal name) | Huet | unknown |
| Huré | Possibly from Hugues or regional nickname | Huré | unknown |
| Hurault | Norman/Poitevin aristocratic or toponymic family name | Hurault | unknown |
| Hutin | Nickname meaning “quarrelsome” (Old French) | Hutin | unknown |
| Husson | From Old French hus (house) or diminutive formations | Husson | unknown |
| Hulot | From Old French nickname (owl) or topographic origin | Hulot | unknown |
| Humbert | From Germanic personal name Humbert; Alsace/Franche‑Comté links | Humbert | unknown |
Descriptions
Habert
Associated with 17th-century literary circles and Normandy; poets Philippe Habert (1604–1637) and Germain Habert (1615–1654) are notable bearers.
Hachette
Normandy origin; best known bearer is Louis Hachette (1800–1864), founder of the Hachette publishing house, influential in 19th-century French publishing.
Hamelin
Present in northern France and Québec; notable: Marc‑André Hamelin, Canadian virtuoso pianist, and the surname appears in medieval Norman records.
Hamon
Strongly tied to Brittany and Normandy; notable bearer Benoît Hamon, French left-wing politician and 2017 presidential candidate.
Hanot
Found in northeastern France and Belgium border regions; Georges Hanot, French hepatologist associated with “Hanot’s disease”, is a notable bearer.
Haroche
Recorded in Parisian and northern families; Serge Haroche, French physicist and 2012 Nobel laureate, is the most famous modern bearer.
Hébert
Widespread in France and Quebec; notable bearers include revolutionary journalist Jacques Hébert (1757–1794) and Canadian actor Paul Hébert.
Hénon
Attested in Brittany and western France; Michel Hénon (1931–2010), astronomer and mathematician known for the Hénon map, is a notable bearer.
Henry
Common across France and francophone countries; famous bearers include Thierry Henry (footballer) and philosopher Michel Henry.
Herbin
Associated with northern France; notable bearer Auguste Herbin (1882–1960), an influential painter of the abstract movement.
Hérold
Attested in 18th–19th-century France; Ferdinand Hérold (1791–1833), composer of opéra-comique, is the best-known bearer.
Héroux
Very common in Québec and among francophone Canadians; notable: Denis Héroux (1940–2015), film director and producer.
Higelin
Recorded in Parisian cultural circles; Jacques Higelin (1940–2018), French singer-songwriter, is a well-known bearer.
Hillairet
Regionally linked to Paris/Île‑de‑France; Jacques Hillairet (1896–1984), historian and chronicler of Paris, is a notable bearer.
Hoche
North‑western France prevalence; Lazare Hoche (1768–1797), prominent general in the French Revolutionary armies, is the principal historical bearer.
Hoarau
Common on Réunion Island and in the Indian Ocean francophone community; notable: Élie Hoarau, Réunion politician.
Houdin
Known in 19th-century France; Jean‑Eugène Robert‑Houdin (1805–1871), famed conjurer whose name carries the compound form, is the most famous associated figure.
Houdon
Notable bearer Jean‑Antoine Houdon (1741–1828), celebrated French neoclassical sculptor, linked to Parisian artistic circles.
Houde
Very frequent in Quebec and present in France; Louis‑José Houde is a popular Québécois comedian and public figure.
Houellebecq
Contemporary surname best known from novelist Michel Houellebecq (born 1956), influential and controversial figure in French literature.
Huet
Widespread in Normandy and central France; Jean‑Baptiste Huet (1745–1811), painter and designer, is a historic bearer.
Huré
Attested in western France; Jean Huré (1877–1930), organist and composer, is a notable cultural bearer.
Hurault
Linked to aristocratic families; Philippe Hurault de Cheverny (1528–1599), chancellor of France, is a prominent historical bearer.
Hutin
Found across northern and central France; historically attested and present in francophone records, with local civic figures as bearers.
Husson
Common in northeastern France; Marcel Husson (born 1939), football player and manager, is a contemporary bearer.
Hulot
Recorded in Normandy and Paris regions; Nicolas Hulot, environmentalist and former minister, is the most prominent modern bearer.
Humbert
Widespread in eastern France and francophone Europe; historically used across professions and regional elites.