Surname Cartan - Meaning and Origin
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Cartan: What does the surname Cartan mean?
The origin and meaning of the last name Cartan is uncertain, but it is thought to be derived from an Old French term for a wool merchant (ca thorough). It is also possible that it may be an occupational name for someone who worked with carts. It could also be derived from charbonnier, meaning “charcoal merchant,” or from an English or German personal name. The last name Cartan has spread to many corners of the world and is especially common in France, though it can be found throughout Europe, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
In France, Cartan is recorded as early as 1254, and was made more common due to a considerable influx of persons bearing this last name to France as part of the Huguenot emigration in the 17th century. Similarly, an influx of Cartans came to the United States in the 19th century due to the German immigration.
Today, the Cartan surname is found across the world, representing people of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It could refer to anyone from a wool merchant in France to a charcoal merchant in Germany, or even a cart-maker in the United States. Whatever its origin, the last name Cartan carries with it the rich and diverse history of its many bearers throughout time.
Order DNA origin analysisCartan: Where does the name Cartan come from?
The last name Cartan is most common in France, the French Caribbean, and French-speaking Switzerland. As of the last census in 2019, it was the 69th most common surname in France. The Cartan family originated from Normandy, a region in the north of France, where it was first attested in the 13th century. Out of all the regions in France, the name is most commonly found in Centre-Val de Loire, Champagne-Ardenne, Île-de-France, and Rhône-Alpes.
In addition to France, the last name has spread to other countries due to immigration and colonization. In the United States, it is especially common in Louisiana, a state with a strong French influence. In Louisiana, the name is concentrated in parishes around the metropolitan area of New Orleans, a major port city. It is also found in Québec in Canada, where many French immigrants moved during the 19th century.
In the Caribbean, where France colonized islands like Guadeloupe and Martinique, the name is surprisingly common. Other countries with a considerable presence of Cartan’s include Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Given its french origins, the name Cartan is very rare in other languages. In Spanish, for example, the name would most likely be written as "Gardán" or "Cartán".
Variations of the surname Cartan
The surname Cartan has many variants, spellings, and surnames that all have the same origin. These include Cartain, Cartant, Cardan, Cardant, Cardeau, Cardin, Charteen, Chartin,Chartran, Kärtimäinen, Kärttänen, Kartaine, Kartane, Kartanne, Kartanen, and Karteau.
The surname is derived from several places, including cartel, carteler, and chardon, which is a plant name. It is believed that the surname began as an occupational name for a person who grew or sold this plant. Variants of the surname began to form over time, as many names do.
Cartan could also be a variant of Caron or Carron which is derived from the French word caroine meaning “oak tree.” This variant could be found in the region of Brittany, France.
Kärttänen is another variant of Cartan which is found in Finland. The Finnish variant likely originally originated from Sweden, where the surname Kärten is much more common.
The spelling variations became more pronounced after mass immigration to North America. In North America, the Cartan spelling is much more common, while the Cardan spelling is much more common in Europe.
In conclusion, there are many variants, different spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Cartan. These variants likely originated from French, Finnish, and Swedish cultures and have become more diverse and widespread with immigration to North America.
Famous people with the name Cartan
- Elie Cartan: French mathematician and physicist, established the method of exterior differential forms for algebraic analysis.
- Henri Cartan: French mathematician who provided significant contributions in algebraic topology and unified the field of mathematics with his studies.
- William Eugene Cartan: American football player with the Chicago Bears.
- Mary Cartan: Irish traditional musician, mainly playing concertina and accordion.
- Maxime Cartan: French poet.
- Charles-Ange Laisant Cartan: French journalist, novelist and dramatist.
- Isaac Leeser Cartan: American actor and playwright.
- Alfred Cartan: Italian footballer who played for A.C. Milan.
- Jean Cartan de Wiart: Belgian painter and sculptor.
- Peter Cartan: American stage actor and musician.