LaFlamme
A French surname meaning “the flame,” likely first used as a nickname or descriptive byname.
The #8,875 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 83,694 Americans shares it.
Etymology
LaFlamme is a French surname built from the article la, “the,” and flamme, “flame.” Taken literally, it means “the flame,” which most likely began as a nickname or descriptive byname for someone thought to be fiery in temperament, striking in appearance, or perhaps connected with a house sign or emblem. In some cases, surnames of this type could also arise from a place-name or a heraldic association, but the plain-language sense is the most likely starting point.
History
The surname is found chiefly in French-speaking regions and in North America, especially among families of French Canadian descent. Like many French nicknames, it was probably fixed as a hereditary surname during the period when surnames were becoming stable in France and New France. Modern spellings often preserve the attached article with a capital F in North American usage.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Because it literally means “the flame,” LaFlamme has one of the more vivid and memorable meanings of any French surname.