Lefebre

LeFebre is a surname of French origin. It is a variant of Lefebvre, which itself derives from the Old French fèvre meaning smith. The definite article le is incorporated in the compound, yielding the occupational sense “the smith.” The spelling LeFebre is commonly used in English-speaking countries, where diacritics are frequently omitted.

Origin and distribution: The name historically identified an occupational status in a medieval French community, associated with metalworking or blacksmithing. Through migration and diaspora, LeFebre is found among families of French descent in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. It is one of several Anglicized forms of Lefebvre, one of the most common French occupational surnames.

Variants and related names: Related forms include Lefebvre, Lefèvre, LeFevre, LeFebvre, and LeFebre. Orthographic variation often reflects regional pronunciations and the practice of adapting French names to non-French spelling conventions in official records.

usage and context: As a surname, LeFebre is typically passed patrilineally and may appear in civil and church records under multiple spellings. In genealogical and historical research, recognizing the LeFebre/Lefebvre family cluster and its variants can aid in tracing lineage across different regions and time periods. The name remains primarily a family surname rather than a given name.