Astruc

Astruc is a surname of French origin. It is relatively uncommon and has been borne by a number of individuals in medicine, theology, and academia. The name is most closely associated with Jean Astruc, a prominent 18th-century French physician and professor of medicine in Paris.

Jean Astruc (1684–1766) earned a reputation in medicine and is also known for his early contributions to biblical criticism. In 1753 he published Conjectures sur les origins des livres de la Genèse, in which he argued that the book of Genesis reflects multiple sources, distinguished in part by the varying use of the divine names Yahweh and Elohim. His approach involved detailed textual analysis and a focus on the sources behind biblical narratives. Although he did not formulate a complete theory of multiple sources, his method of scrutinizing the text and its nomenclature influenced later scholars who developed source criticism and related discussions about the composition of the Pentateuch.

Beyond Jean Astruc, the surname remains relatively rare and is primarily encountered in historical or genealogical contexts related to French ancestry. In modern times, references to Astruc tend to appear in biographical or scholarly discussions about early biblical criticism and the history of medicine in France. The name’s use today is largely genealogical rather than tied to a specific contemporary institution or notable figure.