Lecoq

Lecoq is a French surname derived from the Old French word coq, meaning rooster. The name likely originated as a nickname for a bold or lively person, or as an occupational name for someone who kept or trained poultry. It is found in France and among French-speaking communities.

Notable people with the surname include Jacques Lecoq (1921–1999), a French actor, mime, and theatre pedagogue who developed a method of actor training based on physical theatre, movement, and ensemble work. He founded the École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris in 1956, which has trained countless actors and theatre makers around the world.

Lecoq method refers to his approach to theatre education, which emphasizes physical expression, movement, improvisation, and the creation of character through gesture rather than relying on spoken text. The pedagogy draws on clowning, mask work, mime, and elements of Commedia dell’arte, and it prioritizes ensemble work and live performance.

The surname remains associated with institutions bearing its name, most notably the theatre school in Paris, and is carried by other individuals in French-speaking contexts.