French surname
Of the woods
Locational surname
Dubois is a French topographic surname meaning 'of the woods' or 'from the forest', from the preposition 'du' and 'bois' (wood). It was applied to people who lived near or in a wooded area. The name is one of the more common topographic surnames in France.
It is found throughout the country and among French-speaking populations in Canada and elsewhere. Related forms include Dubois and Desbois. The surname reflects the importance of woodland in the medieval French landscape.
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Of the woods. From French "du bois" (of the wood), a locational surname.
Dubois is a French-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.
Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.
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