Prou

Prou is a surname of French origin. It is relatively rare and is sometimes found in francophone regions; variants include Proux and Prout. The exact etymology is not clearly documented, but the name may derive from toponymic or occupational elements in medieval French, or represent a shortened form of longer names such as Proux.

In historical records, the surname Prou appears in France and in communities descended from French emigrants, including parts of Canada and regions with francophone populations. The name is more commonly encountered in archival parish and civil registers from the early modern period onward. Today, Prou remains uncommon, with its bearers largely concentrated in France and in diaspora communities abroad.

Notable people with the surname Prou are not widely documented in major biographical references. The name more frequently occurs as part of longer surnames such as Proux or Prout, which have their own separate lineages and notable bearers.

See also: Proux, Prout, Proud.