Bourque
A French surname most often tied to a place-name or regional word for a small settlement, wood, or grove.
The #3,961 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 34,408 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Bourque is a French surname with likely locational roots. In many cases it is connected to a place-name or to a regional word related to a hamlet, grove, or wooded spot, rather than to an occupation or personal nickname. In French and French-Canadian usage, surnames of this type often began as identifiers for someone who lived near or came from such a place.
History
The name is especially familiar in French-speaking regions and in French Canada, where it appears in historical records under several closely related spellings. In North America it is often associated with Acadian and Quebec families, and the surname has remained relatively distinctive but well established in those communities. The spelling Bourque reflects standard French orthography, though pronunciation can vary by region and family.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In North America, Bourque is often encountered in Acadian and Quebec family lines, which helps explain its strong French-Canadian regional identity.