Surname Curbeau - Meaning and Origin

Curbeau: What does the surname Curbeau mean?

The last name Curbeau is derived from the French surname Corbeau, meaning crow. It is likely that the name has its roots as an occupational surname as it was first found in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. In those regions, the name likely referred to someone who kept, bred or hunted the black birds.

The word Corb(e)au comes from the Latin Corvus, for 'raven', which is believed to be derived from the ancient Greek κόραξ (Korax) meaning 'crow'. So, the surname Curbeau is likely to have a similar meaning - one who works with crows or ravens.

The surname Curbeau is found in France, although it is not common. It is also found in Canada, as many French settlers emigrated to Canada during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Whilst the surname is not common, those who carry it have an interesting connection to the past. They are probably descended from a long line of people with a deep connection to birds and of course, a unique insight into the culture and history of the regions in which the surname was first found.

Curbeau: Where does the name Curbeau come from?

The last name Curbeau is most commonly found throughout Canada, particularly in the province of Quebec. According to the latest census data, there are more than 2,200 people in Canada with the surname Curbeau.

The vast majority of those with the Curbeau surname live in Quebec, with the top 5 cities or regions that have the highest concentration of people with this name being in the city of Montreal followed by Quebec City, Gatineau (Hull), Laval, and Ville-Marie.

The Curbeau surname first appeared in Quebec in the 18th century but its origins can be traced all the way back to Normandy, France in the 15th century. This indicates that the family likely came over to New France (Quebec) as part of the Great Migration of peoples during the 1600s and 1700s.

Based on the same census data, the Curbeau surname is also found in some parts of the United States, particularly in Louisiana, Maryland, and New York. In Louisiana, the Curbeau name originated with French settlers who arrived in the state during the early 1700s. The other two states, Maryland and New York, may have obtained the surname due to people migrating from Quebec.

Overall, those interested in tracing the family name Curbeau should look towards Canada first and then follow any leads to the United States.

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Variations of the surname Curbeau

The surname Curbeau is believed to have origins in the ancient Germanic language, and is thought to have been derived from the word ‘curbeau’ meaning ‘strong and proud’. Over the centuries, the name has been adopted in various parts of the world, resulting in a large variety of related spellings and variants.

Some of the more popular spellings of Curbeau are Corbeau, Corbeil, Corbiel, Corbillon and Corbet. The surname Corbet is particularly common in Britain and France and is believed to have been adopted from the French given name Corbet, which means ‘young raven’. In Germany, the name is often spelled as Corbau, while in Italy it is sometimes spelled as Corbo.

Other variants of Curbeau include Corbie, Corbeaull, Corbel, Corbell, Corble, Corilee, Corrillon, Corron, Curbeaull, Curbiel, Curbel, Corby, Cirbie and Corbelle. These variants have been adopted in various countries such as Italy, France, Germany, England, Scotland and Wales.

The Curbeau surname has also been adopted as a first name, with variants such as Corbin, Corbitt, Corbett, Corby and Corbell. It is also sometimes used as a middle name, with the full name being Corbeau James, for example.

Overall, the surname Curbeau is a unique one that has been adopted in many countries with a variety of spellings and variants.

Famous people with the name Curbeau

• Eric Curbeau: Former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.
• Fernand Curbeau: Former French Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and coach.
• Marcel Curbeau: A doctor and former Canadian politician.
• Olivier Curbeau: French professional footballer.
• Pierre-Gilles Curbeau: French-Canadian poet, playwright and songwriter.
• Daniel Curbeau: French-Canadian film producer.
• Thomas Curbeau: French-Canadian blues and alternative rock musician.
• Samantha Curbeau: New Zealand professional tennis player.
• Pierre Curbeau: French-Canadian television host and game show host.
• Hélène Curbeau: French-Canadian author and playwright.

Other surnames

Curbello