Davouts

Davouts is a French surname. The name is most commonly associated with Louis Nicolas Davout (1770–1823), a Marshal of the Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte and one of the era’s most respected military commanders. The patronymic surname has appeared in historical records primarily in connection with his career and, to a lesser extent, with other individuals bearing the same family name.

Louis Nicolas Davout rose to prominence during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He earned a reputation for strict discipline, organizational skill, and effective independent command. Davout is best remembered for commanding the French III Corps at the Battle of Auerstädt in 1806, where his forces achieved a notable victory against the Prussian army despite being outnumbered, contributing to Napoleon’s overall German campaign success. In recognition of his achievements, Napoleon elevated him to the rank of Marshal of the Empire and later to the title of Duke of Auerstaedt.

Beyond Davout's military career, the surname Davout has appeared as a family name in French genealogical records, but the historical footprint of the Davouts outside Louis Nicolas Davout is comparatively limited in widely known sources. The name remains a point of reference for those studying Napoleon-era military leadership and French aristocracy.

In summary, Davouts refers primarily to a French surname with its most prominent bearer being Louis Nicolas Davout, a leading Napoleonic marshal whose actions at Auerstädt left a lasting mark on military history.